Oscar Franklin Burnham was a son of Franklin Burnham and Orpha Lord Burnham. He was born in Athens county, Ohio, Alexander township.The Burnham family came to Athens county in 1820 to claim the land bounty that his grandfather Jeremiah Burnham had earned during the Revolutionary War. In the 1850 census, Oscar is 16 years old and his occupation is listed as farmer, living with his family in Alexander township, Ohio. By the 1860's Oscar was making his living as a carpenter, possibly in St . Louis, Missouri. On January 7, 1863, Oscar married " Mrs Eliza J Donnelly " in St. Louis , Missouri. According to a sister-in- law of Oscar, Jennie Benson Burnham Vincent, ( wife of William Wallace " Wall" Burnham) , that Oscar was exempt from service during the Civil War because of a speech impediment. Also according to Jennie , Oscar did carpenter work " as far south as Kinderhook." ( Illinois). In 1876, Oscar built the Plainville Methodist Church, in Plainville , Illinois and is still being used as a church to this time (2018). According to accounts written at the time " Mr Burnham 's work will bear inspection."Oscar and Eliza had four sons together: Alvin Burnham, born in 1865. Henry Burnham, born in 1869. Charles Burnham, born in 1875. William Wesley Burnham, born January 11, 1878. Eliza also had two children before marrying Oscar, Delilah, born in 1856 and Frank, born in 1858. When Oscar died in 1882, The Quincy Whig ( newspaper) in the Adams County news section noted that " Quite recently, Mr. Burnham, the carpenter bid us a long, long farewell ." A granddaughter of Oscar , Fay Burnham Pyle said that her grandmother Burnham ( Eliza) said that her husband Oscar was" One of the greatest men that ever lived." Oscar must have been beloved by his siblings because he has two nephews named for him; his sister Olive Burnham Wilson named her son Oscar Burnham Wilson (April 19, 1856- January 18, 1938) and his brother Jarvis named a son Oscar Perry Burnham ( April 7,1892-June 21, 1969.)
Oscar Franklin Burnham was a son of Franklin Burnham and Orpha Lord Burnham. He was born in Athens county, Ohio, Alexander township.The Burnham family came to Athens county in 1820 to claim the land bounty that his grandfather Jeremiah Burnham had earned during the Revolutionary War. In the 1850 census, Oscar is 16 years old and his occupation is listed as farmer, living with his family in Alexander township, Ohio. By the 1860's Oscar was making his living as a carpenter, possibly in St . Louis, Missouri. On January 7, 1863, Oscar married " Mrs Eliza J Donnelly " in St. Louis , Missouri. According to a sister-in- law of Oscar, Jennie Benson Burnham Vincent, ( wife of William Wallace " Wall" Burnham) , that Oscar was exempt from service during the Civil War because of a speech impediment. Also according to Jennie , Oscar did carpenter work " as far south as Kinderhook." ( Illinois). In 1876, Oscar built the Plainville Methodist Church, in Plainville , Illinois and is still being used as a church to this time (2018). According to accounts written at the time " Mr Burnham 's work will bear inspection."Oscar and Eliza had four sons together: Alvin Burnham, born in 1865. Henry Burnham, born in 1869. Charles Burnham, born in 1875. William Wesley Burnham, born January 11, 1878. Eliza also had two children before marrying Oscar, Delilah, born in 1856 and Frank, born in 1858. When Oscar died in 1882, The Quincy Whig ( newspaper) in the Adams County news section noted that " Quite recently, Mr. Burnham, the carpenter bid us a long, long farewell ." A granddaughter of Oscar , Fay Burnham Pyle said that her grandmother Burnham ( Eliza) said that her husband Oscar was" One of the greatest men that ever lived." Oscar must have been beloved by his siblings because he has two nephews named for him; his sister Olive Burnham Wilson named her son Oscar Burnham Wilson (April 19, 1856- January 18, 1938) and his brother Jarvis named a son Oscar Perry Burnham ( April 7,1892-June 21, 1969.)
Inscription
Oscar F Burnham. Died July 13, 1882 . 48 yrs 6 mos 2 days.
Gravesite Details
The cemetery is well tended. Oscar's stone has weathered, and the inscription is getting harder to read, but still somewhat legible. Many years ago, his grave was protected by a tree, which has since died.
Family Members
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