Daniel W. Burns, Pg. 176 – scanned document
DANIEL W. BURNS, a successful contractor and builder of Milford, was born here, December 18, 1835, son of John and Susan (Daniels) Burns. The father, familiarly known as Dr. John, was a son Of Daniel Burns, and a lifelong resident of Milford. After spending his younger days in farming he took up the manufacture of proprietary medicines. He was a Republican from the formation of that party, and was a very enthusiastic supporter of the anti-slavery movement. His death occurred in the seventies. He was one of the forty persons who built the Orthodox church in Milford. His wife, whose maiden name was Susan Daniels, was a native of Brookline, N. H. Their children are: Susan E. , the widow of Eben Converse, late of Kingston, N.H.; Marinda A., the wife of Handel A. Smith, of Milford; Daniel W., the subject of this sketch; and Maria A., the widow of Hezekiah P. Hamblett, also living in Milford.
Daniel W. Burns grew to manhood here in Milford. He left the public schools at the age of fifteen years, and was subsequently an attendant of New Hampton (N.H.) Academy for a time. When about seven years old he began learning the trade of a carpenter at Winchester, Mass., where he was employed more or less for three years. Later for a short time he worked at his trade in Nashua, N. H., and then went to Boston, Mass. Here he was employed for ten years as a journeyman by William Barton, a well-known contractor and builder of that city, assisting in the erection of a number of fine buildings. Then, purchasing the business of Mr. Barton, he and John D. Wester, under the firm name of Wester & Burns, had carried it on for about a year when Mr. Burns sold his interest in it to Mr. Wester. After this he was engaged in building by contract independently, also dealing quite extensively in real estate until 1874, when he returned to Milford. He has since resided here upon a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, profitably occupied in mixed husbandry.
In 1860 Mr. Burns was united in marriage with Miss Sarah C. Kendall, a native of Hollis, N.H., and a daughter Of Willard Kendall. Of their three children Willard W. has passed away. Those Iiving are: Ulysses L., a merchant of Boston, Mass. ; and Gertrude M., a teacher in the grammar school of South Chatham, Mass. Mr. Burns has always been a Republican in politics.