John Bourne

Evening Kansan Republican, Thursday, March 19, 1896.


John Bourne Sr., died Tuesday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. G. W. Young 304 East Third street. Mr. Bourne has been ill for some time, cancer of the stomach being the complaint. He has had much energy, however, and persistently refused to succumb to the disease until the last.

Mr. Bourne has an extensive and varied career. He was born near Philadelphia, Pa., June 10, 1822. He was educated in Philadelphia as a machinist and engineer and moved to Reading, Pa., before he was of age. He was an engineer for over twenty years of his life on eastern roads, and at a time when locomotives were little better than traction engine of the present time. He used to delight in relating experiences of his life and in explaining the improvements that had been made in railroading within his recollection.

He was married in 1845 to Miss Charlotte Baldy. His wife died about three years ago, since which time he has been living with his daughter, Mrs. Young. Five children all residents of Newton, are left to mourn the absence of a kind and devoted father. The children are Mrs. W. C. Nolder, Mrs. L. G. Harlan, Mrs. G. W. Young, S. P. Bourne and John Bourne Jr.