ROBERT ELAM BURNHAM                             

The Nickerson Argosy, Thursday, May 25, 1916, Pg. 8

Vol. 39, No. 25  

Date/place of death and unit information also from "Journal of the Thirty-sixth Annual Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Kansas" held in Salina, Kansas May 16, 17, 18, 1917.  Contained in the Chaplains Memorial Roll.

ANSWERED THE LAST CALL

  Our old friend and respected citizen, Robert Elam Burnham, whom everyone called Grandpa Burnham passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Agnes Michels last Sunday afternoon.  He was sick but a few days, and the community was unprepared for the sad news.

  He was born at Wisbech, England Nov. 2, 1827; died at Nickerson Kansas, May 21, 1916, aged 88 years, 6 months and 19 days.

  In early manhood he came to this country and settled in Ohio, where he lived until 1869, when he moved to Kansas, locating north of Emporia on a farm, which was his home until he moved to Nickerson seven years ago last September.

  In 1853 at Monroeville, Ohio, he was married Miss Anne L. Green.  A rather unusual circumstance connected with the marriage was that his wife was also raised in England about four miles from his birthplace, but neither knew the other.  She came to this country and located at the same place in Ohio and so they found each other.

  To this union six children were born, the first dying in infancy.  The others are, Mrs. Agnes Michels of Nickerson, W. H. Burnham of Abilene, A. E. Burnham of Topeka, Mrs. E. J. Stephens of Van, Mo. and Robert G. Burnham of Nickerson.  These were all present at the funeral.

  Grandpa Burnham was an earnest Christian man, having accepted Christ as his Savior in his youth.  All his long life he had lived close to his Master in humble simple faith doing His will.  At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in Company K, 133rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He was a member of the local G. A. R. Post and the Methodist church.

  Besides his children he leaves to mourn his departure a brother in Michigan and sister in Ohio.

  The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon, in charge of the G. A. R. from the Methodist church, the sermon being preached by Rev. McNeil.  Interment was made in Wildmeade Cemetery.

  We tender our deepest sympathy to the sorrowing family.