OBIT: William T. BURNS, 1915, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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VETERAN FIREMAN GETS FINAL CALL

  William T. Burns, Driver of No. 3 Station and Former Member of Hope 
Volunteers, Dies of Paralysis and Pneumonia.
  William T. Burns, aged 59, of 422 Sixth avenue, the oldest active 
member of the Altoona paid fire department and a former volunteer 
fireman, died this morning at 5:25 o'clock at his home, following an 
illness of a year's duration. Death was due to pneumonia, following a 
stroke of paralysis, sustained over a year ago.
  Mr. Burns was employed in the Altoona fire department since its 
organization and was driver of the engine apparatus at No. 3 station at 
Fifth avenue and Third street. Previous to his securing a position in 
the paid company, he was a member of the Hope volunteer company, being 
one of the few surviving members of that organization.
  The fireman spent thirty years of his life in Altoona, the most part 
of it in the city fire department. He was one of the most valuable of 
the employees and holds an enviable record. He was also an expert 
horseman.
  Mr. Burns was born in East Freedom, Blair county, on March 9, 1856, 
and spent the early years of his life in the county. He was married in 
Claysburg to Miss Emma Weyant. He was also a former employee of the 
wheel foundry of the Pennsy.
  Surviving are his widow and ten children, as follows: Mrs. Edwin 
Burket of Claysburg; Miss Mary, William A., Charles S., Edward Mearle, 
Francis Eugene, Clyde M., and Miss Catherine M., all at home; Harry L., 
of 1304 Eighth avenue and Samuel I., of 2013 Third avenue; also two 
brothers and two sisters, George W., of East Freedom; Westley of 
Altoona; Mrs. Silas Bonner of Johnstown and Mrs. Brice Sell of near 
Newry.
  The veteran fireman was a member of White Cross lodge, Knights of 
Pythias, Archie Maxwell lodge, I.O.O.F.; Lodge No. 108, Junior Order 
United American Mechanics, and of the Altoona Fire Department Relief 
association. He was also a member of the Fifth Avenue Methodist church.
  Action on the death will be taken at a special meeting of the 
Firemen's committee on resolutions and members of the paid fire 
department will attend the obsequies, to be held at a time to be 
announced later.

Altoona Mirror, 11 September 1915