The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-01
PASSING AWAY OF
DIR. JOHN BURNETT
THE END CAME AT $50 O'CLOCK
YESTERDAY MORNING.
Had Been Ailing for Nearly Five
Years and Since Sunday Last Was
Lingering at the Door of Death.
He Was Conscious to the Last.
Sketch of His Active Career--Was
One of Scranton's Most Prominent
Citizens and Leading Doctors.

After lingering at the threshold of
death for five days, DIR. John Burnett
passed peacefully away yesterday
morning at 3.30 o'clock at the family
home, 207 Linden street. About his
bed at the time were the members of
his family, Rev. ID. j. Mac ColdriclS.
and also Doctors Connell, Gardner and
Reedy, who in the dual capacity of
physicians and personal friends, have
been with him almost constantly since
he began to sink.
DR.. Burnett was conscious up to the
last. He realized last week that he was
going to die and ever since the begin
ming of the present week knew that
death could be momentarily expected.
Several times he took his own pulse
and temperature and made computa-
tions on how long his dim light of life
would continue to burn. At no time
did he despair, but with remarkable
Christian fortitude waited patiently
and uncomplainingly for the end, his
only care being solicitude for the
dear ones whom he would have to
leave behind. temporarily.
His illness was of nearly five years
standing. He suffered a. severe attack
of typhoid pneumonia which left his
system very susceptible to disease. A
cold contracted later brought on re-
lapse that developed chronic conditions
and he became a permanent sufferer.
Last May he experienced rupture of
the pleura and since then he has been
practically confined to his home For
the last four weeks he was unable to
leave his bed.
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
In the death of Dr. Burnett the COM
munity loses one of it's most prominent
citizens and the medical profession one
of its leading members. For a young
man he had attained remarkable sue
cesses in both spheres. A sketch of
his life is story of aggression.
He was born in May, 1S49, in Canaan,
| Wayne county. He attended the town.
| ship schools and Waymart academy,
and during the winters of 1865 and 1866
| taught the district school, meantime
preparing himself for college. In 1867
he entered st. Bonaventure's college
at Allegany, n. Y, and graduated with
honors four years later. Upon leaving
college in 1871 he was chosen principal
of the Baltimore school in Wilkes
| Barre, and at the same time COM
menced the study of medicine under
the direction of DR.. O. F. Harvey, of
that city. At the close Of the school
year he resigned his position as teach
er to give all his attention to his medi-
cal studies, removing to Hawley in the
meantime, where he had as preceptor,
DR.. Marcy. In 1873 he entered the
College of Physicians and Surgeons in
New York city and was graduated
therefrom in March, 1876.
He Immediately commenced the
practice of his profession in Carbon
dale and from the very beginning was
| successful. In a remarkably shor,
time his skill and ability and true
manhood We're recognized and his re-
| ward came in the fullest measure OF
confidence and the largest practice
that any physician has ever gained IN
that community. In 1884 he went tC
New York where he took post-gradu'
ate course, and in April, 1885, he To-
Gated in this city where he has since
practiced his profession with wha
success this community so well knows
ELECTED CORONER.
He became a member of the Luzernt
County Medical society in 1876 and up
on the erection of this county in 1877
he was one of the organizers of th'
Lackawanna County Medical society
In 1885 he was chosen president of th'
society. He always took great inter
est in it's welfare and frequently con
tributed papers at its meetings. In lSS
he was elected coroner on the Demo
cratic ticket and most cOmmendabl,
administered the affairs of that office
Frequently since that time his mann
has been mentioned for various count!
and city Offices, but he was absorbed
in the duties of his profession ant
avoided political conflict.
In October, 1881, he was married t.
Miss Margaret Hart, of New York city
Four children were born of this union
three of whom surVive-kenneth, Viv
ian and John. He was a man of do
mestic tastes and his home life was
most happy and edifying one. II
was thoughtful, generous and tender