Obituary--James B. S. Burnett

Mr.  J. B. S. Burnette was born in Buncombe Co., N.C. November 18, 1824 and died in Atchison County, MO March 14, 1901 age 76 yr 3 mo 26 da. When quite young, seven years of age, his parents moved to Cocke Co., TN. Here he grew up to manhood. March 26, 1846 he was married to Miss Rebecca Young of the same county. To them were born twelve children, two of which died in infancy; the other ten, six sons and four daughters, are still living.

     Mr. Burnette, with his family, continued to live in Tennessee for some twenty-three years. In 1869 he emigrated from that state and came to Hamburg, Ia., where he remained until 1873, at which time he removed to this county and settled first on the farm now owned by N. O. Hopkins, Jr. Afterwards he removed to the neighborhood in which he was living at the time of his death. Here, by the labor of his own hand and that of his children, he bought lands and improved several farms, at the same time not neglecting the schooling of his children, to all of whom, he gave a liberal education.

     Some six or seven years before his death he sold a part of his possessions in this county and moved to Texas. Here he remained a few years; but finding that Texas was not Missouri, he returned to his old home in this county to spend the remainder of his days.

     When a young man, in 1847, Mr. Burnette was converted and united with a Baptist church in Tennessee, in which relation he continued until his death, being a member at the time of the Northboro Baptist church, Iowa.

     On the 6th of March, 1901, he was stricken with paralysis and from the first realized that the stroke was fatal. His children were notified by telegrams of his condition. Only five of them, however, four sons and one daughter, were able to reach him before his departure.

     He died in the full possession of his natural powers, except the physical; he met death without a tremor or any fear. Its sting was gone, through the grace of his Savior, in whom he trusted; assured his bereaved companion, who had shared his joys and sorrows for fifty-five years, that the parting would not be for long, that soon they would meet again.

      Mr. Burnette was a good citizen, strictly honest in all his dealings, a king neighbor, always affable, hospitable and obliging, a model father and an affectionate husband. His funeral services attended by all his old neighbors and friends were conducted by Elder R. M. Rhoades of Fairfax at the Walden Grove School house. His remains were interred in the cemetery nearby there to remain until the trumpet shall sound to awake the sleeping dead when they shall come forth incorruptible and immortal.

     Elder R. M. R.

Tarkio Independent, March 22, 1901

We regret to publish the serious illness of J.B.S. Burnette living three miles northwest of Westboro. Mr. Burnette is afflicted with paralysis and his condition is very serious. He is one among the first settlers in the community in which he now lives. Several children who live in different states are at his bedside and all is being done possible for his comfort in his sickness and old age.

Tarkio Independent, Westboro News, Friday March 15, 1901.

Obituary--Rebecca Young Burnett

Mrs. Rebecca Burnett (nee Young) was born in Cock Co. Tennessee May 8 1827 and died at her residence in Atchison Co. MO five miles northwest of Westboro August 5, 1904 age 77 years 2 months & 26 days.

     Mrs. Burnett was married March 29, 1846, in Cock County, TN to Mr. J.B.S. Burnett of the same locality. To them were born twelve children, seven sons and five daughters. Of these six sons and four daughters are living.

One son died Oct. 10, 1856 and one daughter June 12, 1858. Of her father's family there were ten children, all of whom are now dead except one, Mr. Joseph H. Young of Tarkio.

     At her death only one of her children was present, Mr. James Burnett who resided with her and had control of the farm. Her death being very sudden and unexpected, it was impossible for any of the others to reach the old home in time to see her before her decease. At her burial only four were present, Jesse, William, James and Mrs. Greer.

     Mrs. Burnett grew up to womanhood in her native state and after her marriage remained there until 1869, when, with her husband and family she came to Hamburg, Iowa, in the neighborhood of which place they remained some two years. In 1871 they came to northern Atchison County, then a sparsely settled country. Here over the course of time they made for themselves a home.

      In 1893 Mr. and Mrs. Burnett moved to Texas where they remained until 1898, and then returned to the old home.

     The husband died in March 1901 after which Mrs. Burnett continued to live on the old home place with her son James until her demise.

     Mrs. Burnett was converted and joined the Big Creek Baptist, Cock County, Tenn., in her twentieth year. In this connection she remained until her death at which time her membership was in the Northboro (Iowa) Baptist Church.

     Mrs. Burnett possessed the essential characteristics of true womanhood as made known in Revelations and in the natural constitution of women. The home was the sphere in which she lived. Here she was a queen and her children were her subjects. As a wife "the heart of her husband safely trusted her." As a mother "her children rise up and call her blessed". To the poor and needy she stretched out her hand to supply their wants. As a Christian her “fellowship was with the Father and with His son, Jesus Christ”.

     The funeral service was conducted by Elder R. M. Rhoades of Fairfax in the shady grove in front of the old homestead. Her remains were laid to rest in the Walden Grove cemetery by the side of those of her husband, there to sleep until "the Lord shall descend from Heaven and the dead in Christ shall rise".     R.M.R.

Tarkio Avalanche, August 19, 1904

Grandma Burnett died Friday at the home of her son, Jas Burnett in Walden Grove. She had been sick only a few days. The funeral service took place at the house, Sunday at 2 o’clock, and was attended by a large number of sorrowing friends and relatives. Rev. Rhoades of Fairfax conducted the services. The relatives have the sympathy of the community.

Atchison Co. Mail, Westboro News, Friday Aug. 12, 1904

Mrs. Rebecca Burnett died last Friday, Aug. 4, at her home in Walden Grove, aged 77 years. The funeral sermon was preached on Sunday by Elder R. M. Rhoades of Fairfax and interment was in the Walden Grove Cemetery.

Tarkio Independent, Westboro News, Friday Aug. 12, 1904.