mr.
john burnett,
clerk of middleton, dead.
Last week we briefly
chronicled the death of
Mr. John Burnett, Clerk of Middleton, which occurred at his home in
Courtland, on Saturday, 21st. ult. He was one of the best known men
in the western part of the County.
Deceased had not been in good
health for a number of years, and on the Monday previous to his
death was taken with a chill. Everything that medical skill and
loving care could do failed to overcome the effects of the attack
and he passed quietly away as above stated.
The funeral took place on
Tuesday afternoon from his late residence. The service was conducted
by
Rev. Mr. Silcox of Eden, assisted by Rev. H. S. Hastings
of Courtland. Mr. Silcox preached an excellent and appropriate
sermon from John xi:25-26, after which interment took place in the
Courtland cemetery,
the pall bearers being the reeve and councillors of Middleton
township. The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful, the
"Gates Ajar" from the council being especially fine.
The late John Burnett was
born at Bridgewater, England, in 1830. He was educated principally
at a private school. When 18 years of age he was apprenticed to the
building trade, and in 1857 he came to Canada, locating first at St.
Thomas, but soon moved to Norfolk county, where many buildings in
Middleton and Windham testify to his thorough proficiency as a
builder. For many years
Mr. Burnett was identified with the Middleton Agricultural Society.
In 1879 he was appointed assessor, which office he held until his
appointment as clerk in 1891. He was thoroughly versed in municipal
law and his services were appreciated by the councillors and public
generally, with whom he was deservedly popular.
