The Life of Wilson Nelson Burgess
Olathe Mirror
April 22, 1886
Page 1
Obituary.
Rev. Nelson Burgess was born in Onondaga county, New York, in the year 1813, and died at his late residence, six miles West of Olathe, Kansas, April 18th, 1886.
When he was but a child his parents moved to Canada West, where he lived with them during his minority. When in 1837 the "Sons of Liberty' chafing under British oppression began their memorable struggle, kindred to that of our fore-fathers, for conceded rights, he joined their ranks and was made a commissioned officer. The cause being lost, however, he returned with many of his countrymen to his native land. He first settled in the state of Michigan, but afterwards made his home in various states until the year 1866, when he settled in Kansas, of which state he has since been a worthy citizen.
On December 18th, 1843, he was married to Miss Rebecca Brisbine of Ohio, who, after forty-three years of loving companionship, now survives him as his widow. He was very much attached to his family, and the gathering home of his children made up some of the happiest days of rejoicing.
The religious element of his nature was very marked. He gave his heart to God in early life, and lived with varied experience until reaching the prime of life, he felt that he was called of God to preach the gospel. He was not disobedient to the heavenly call; and since that time his life has justified the adoption of the words of the Psalmist: I delight to do thy will, O! my God; yea thy law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation; lo I have not refrained my lips. O! Lord, thou knowest."
Two things when united form an infallible proof of one's call to the ministry, an abundant harvest of souls and a triumphant entry into the paradise of God. In both of these, this veteran soldier of the cross made full proof of his ministry.
In 1841 he was ordained a deacon in the Protestant Methodist Church, and in 1843 was made an Elder of the same. He has indeed done the work of an evangelist; for under his ministry hundreds of souls have been gathered into the fold of Christ. In his makeup, that ardent spirit, intelligent zeal, and fervent deep love for all humanity, so characteristic of and born to win souls to Jesus, stood out in bold relief.
He was one of those very few men, who could say precisely what he wanted to and then stop. In denouncing sin he at once fearless and loving plain and forcible. In devoted labor he was faithful to the last. Even when he had passed his three score years and ten, and reached that age in human life, where snow clad temples chill the blood of youth, even then as India's tepid breath would kiss Himalayan snows away, so christian zeal seemed all too much for chilling age. Envy and sectarian bias were foreign to his soul. Wherever duty called he went
On Sunday, April 11th, just one week before his departure, he cal!ed his whole family around him and gave to them that council and consolation , which only a dying christian father can give. He leaves a wife, one daughter and seven sons to mourn his loss, all of whom ministered to him in his last hours and witnessed his final triumph. A blessing not often the lot of a father seventy-three years of age.
His parting testimony was that he had no fear of death at all and that his mind often reverted to those words of the Apostle: "To me, to live in Christ, to die is gain." He said that extacies of joy, alone, broke his perfect peace and calmness, as he consciously entered the valley of death and when death had sealed his lips he raised his eyes and pointed heavenward.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: he lived like a man and died like a christian. "Mark the perfect man, behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace."
Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his.
- B. Maggs.
Olathe Mirror
April 29, 1886
Page 8
