Walter Burgess

BURGESS, HAMMOND

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/28/2015 at 23:45:29

Monona County Iowa History 1982

Walter Burgess

Walter Burgess was born in North Ridge, New York March 1, 1842. When he was but nine years old his mother died leaving him alone. Knowing well he had to make his way alone, he journeyed to Michigan and later to Indiana.

In 1856 when he was 14 years of age he came to Sioux City with a friend H.C. Ash who opened the first hotel known as “The Sioux City House". After working for Mr. Ash for some time, he secured a job freighting from Sioux City to Crow-Creek Reservation and Fort Randall, South Dakota. James E Booge contracted to furnish supplies. A short time afterward, he secured work from S.W. Swiggett of Cincinnati, Ohio, who had located in the little hamlet. Mr. Swiggett started the little paper called "The Sioux City Eagle".

Walter was the boy around the shop. Shortly afterwards, he was offered the job of driving stage between Sioux City and Denison. He stayed with this work until enlisting in Captain Millard's Company at the breaking out of the Civil War in 1863. Later he joined the 7th Iowa Cavalry, being discharged June 25, 1866. It was then that he and his family came to Onawa. After coming to Onawa, he was a drayman selling out to Will Selby and became custodian at the Onawa Courthouse.

Mr. Burgess was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Onawa.

He was married to Mary Jane Hammond in Sioux City November 2, 1863 and died July 19, 1921.

Mary was born in Milford, Mass. December 23, 1846 and came west with her parents, James and Rebecca Hammond as a child. They settled in Cherokee, Iowa. She passed away February 19, 1919. James and Rebecca also came to Onawa where they met their Savior. They are all buried in the Onawa Cemetery.

Walter and Mary were the parents of seven children: Fred, Anna Maria, William, Albert Walter, Flora Euphema, Joseph Edgar and James F.

A "hobo" got off the train early one morning looking dirty, ragged and needing a haircut on his head and face. Knowing Walter and Mary gave hand-outs to anyone in need, he proceeded to the Burgess home by the library. Mary showed him where to clean up and gave him a razor and blade, to shave with as requested. Walter came home from work. He always worked a while before eating. When he saw the dirty jacket on the porch he knew they were having company for breakfast. When the "hobo" came out of the washroom, lo and behold it was their son. Will who had been gone working with horses out west for about five years. It was a joyous occasion.