Ted Burns

A Noteworthy Person – John Burns – My Grandfather

John Burns (right) with his brother Bob at Pulpit Rock probably around 1920. Bob settled in Humboldt Saskatchewan where he owned a store. He died in 1928

John Burns was born on the 15^th of August, 1878 at Hopehill Road, Glasgow Scotland. He died June 14, 1962 In Nelson, BC from Cerebral Thrombosis (a blood clot which caused a stroke). He had a twin brother Walter who died a few weeks after birth. April 28, 1880, John his mother and brothers Bob and Harry sailed to Quebec on the SS Scandinavia. They arrived in Quebec City 0n May 13. They took the train to Gravenhurst, ONT where the group was met by his father. From there they took a covered wagon to temporary quarters in Dunchurch, ONT. Later, his father built a small hotel in Dunchurch where they lived until they journeyed west. Young John and his brothers had Scottish accents and even wore kilts at times. Of course the other children teased the boys as much as they could. It had no impact and John soon grew out of his clothes and accent.

He attended public school in a small log schoolhouse His teacher was Thomas Butler an old fashioned school master that provided a well grounded education in the basics. At the same time he was learning the skills of the country and could, ride, shoot, hunt and fish as well as his native friends. He also helped his dad with saw milling and freighting.

They remained in the Parry Sound region until the spring of 1897 when he went to Nelson with his father. They had to go via Spokane and the Nelson and Fort Sheppard Railway because the CPR’s Crowsnest line was still under construction. His mother Annie and Brother Bob followed a few months later and brother Harry came in 1901. John and his father were building contractors in the Nelson area for many years (operating as John Burns and Son). I never met my Great grandfather who died in 1916 before my father was born. I knew he was a big man (6 foot five) and a hard worker. But I knew my Grandfather. He was a very hard worker whose word was gold. When I knew him he was quite old and cranky long past his best. But he would crawl out to the wood shed to split kindling when he couldn’t walk, I offered to help him but soon learned that was one question you never asked this independent, multi talented man who had strong opinions on life and work. He reminded me of the great hockey player then tough coach – Eddie Shore. It was often said of Shore that his cures were worse than the illness so you never complained about anything lest it trigger a response from Dr. Shore. Mind you, looking back, I can see that Grandpa was way ahead of the norm and provided no end of great advice. And as a builder his work speaks for itself.

 

Nelson City Hall (Touchstones)

 

 

 

 

 

What role his father played in construction of the most prominent Kootenay Buildings is not clear but what is evident is that he taught his son well.

John Burns erected the Nelson post office / City Hall/Touchstones Museum, The Bank of Commerce, Mara and Bernard Block, Central School alteration, Hume School, Nelson Brewery, a number of houses on Carbonate Street, Hume Hotel upgrade, the Malone House at 1102 Front Street. The old hospital on Front Street, the first St. Josephs School, the old fire Hall. The government buildings in Rossland , Trail, Greenwood and Grand Forks. Then there is the Greenwood Post Office and the courthouse in Vernon as well as the Central School in Trail. He had 80 employees in 1928.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Around 1920, he built the first pool and hotel in Ainsworth where he also owned several houses and cabins including the cabin at Loon Lake as well as the Silver Ledge Hotel.

He and his father owned a lumberyard, a sash and door factory, and a brickyard. They owned the gravel pit behind the present high school (where large houses are now located). They had the Marble Head Quarry, another one across the lake from Kaslo and yet another on Granite Road. He sold the construction company to AH Green in 1929 but had one more task- the Civic Centre construction which he supervised.

He was a Nelson alderman in 1918 -19. After the Civic he and Rose pretty well retired to their North Shore home at Burns Point at the west end of Johnston Road and at their home in Ainsworth which they called “ The Wheeler” after A. D. Wheeler an important mining man in early Ainsworth.

In the 1960’s they moved to a small house they built at 212 Latimer in Nelson. He passed away in Mount St. Francis in 1962 at age 83.

 

Central School in Nelson

Nelson Civic Centre

Grand Forks Courthouse

 

 

 

 

 

John Burns at the Ainsworth Pool

By John Frederick Burns and Ted Burns

Nov. 2020