The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-04-19
DEATH OF SK0WHEGAN
RESIDENT
Deceased, a Prominent Odd Fellow
Lodge Attends Funeral

one OF SkoWnegan most genial
and companionable residents, Col.
George H. Burns, died at his home on
Court street early last Sunday morn
ing after an illness of about four
months.
Col Burns was one of five children
of Joshua and Rarmelia Frances
(Adams) Burns. One brother Luth-
er, died when very young, and sis
ter, Miss Nevada Burns, also died at
ing sisters, Mrs Sarah b. Whittier of
Orlando, Florida and Mrs. Lizzie B.
Lombard of Lakewood.
Col Burns was brought up on his
fathers farm but went West where
he lived in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin,
for number of years, during which
time he became chief engineer of a
tug plying the western waters of Lake
Michigan
After returning to Maine, he mar
ried Miss Ida Thompson, daughter of
Abiel E. Thompson, now of Lewiston.
They made their home on the Burns
farm in Madison but Mrs. Burns liv-
ed but a few years. After her death
Col. Burns went to Massachusetts
where he became a travelling sales
man, making his home in Lynn. In
1897 he married Miss Mary Stewart
Tuttle of Skowhegan and they lived
in Boston. In December, 1905, ow-
ing to sickness in the families of
both Col. and Mrs. Burns, they re-
turned to Skowhegan and have since
resided in the Tuttle homestead on
Court street.
The deceased was prominent
member of the Odd Fellows and has
held a position in the order which no
other Maine man has ever held, that
of Sovereign Grand Sentinel of the
Sovereign Grand Lodge of America.
There are but three higher offices in
the order. He first joined the Odd
Fellows when in Wisconsin, joining
Peninsnla LoGse, Of which he was d
member = the tic Of ~ de th II
1892 Col. Burns was instrumental in
forming Canton Somerset. having
previously united with Parmenas En-
campment He was the first Ensign
of Canton Somerset When he NOV
ed to Lynn. he transferred his MEM
bership to Canton City Lodge and
while there, was on the Majors staff
and also served as captain on Col
Hutchnson's staff He later trans
ferred back to Canton Somerset with
which he was affiliated at the time
of his death He became major OF
the Second Battalion of the Second
Regiment, Patriarchs Militant, and
the Second Regiment of Patriarchs
Militant. His Office of colonel would
not have expired for several months
He was a member of the Rebekah
Lodge of which his wife who survives
is an active member; member ol
both the Skowhegan and the State
Grange, of the Loyal Order of Moose
Skowhegan Board of Trade; the
Skowhegan Local Carpenters Union
and was a Past Commander and Past
District Deputy of the United Order
Golden Cross
For some time he was engaged III
the lumber business with NJ. S
Adams but since the Adams & Burns
plant burned he has been occupied
as a carpenter.
The funeral services were held
Tuesday noon at 1890 from the Island
Avenue Congregational church. Rev
George Merriam officiated and was as
sisted by the pastor, Rev Charles II
McElhiney.
The services of Carrabassett Lodge
/ O. O. F. were carried out by Leslie
E. Jacobs as Noble Grand and Willis
c. Hobart as Chaplain. General Will
c. Miller of Augusta of the Patriarchs
Militant of Maine, with his staff OF
eight officers, were present and the
members of the various local bodies
of Odd Fellowship and the Rebekahs
attended. There were AZ Odd Fellows
present and they wore full uniform.
The bearers were Col Burnss staff
officers. l.. w Gerrish, Wallace With
am, Clyde II Smith and Past Captain