a firm of contractors, Moorehead & Packer, who were engaged in the construction of a division of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He remained in their employ until 1856, when he located permanently in Johnstown and worked in the ore mines of the Cambria Iron Company. He built a house in Broad street in what is now known as the fifteenth ward, and resided in it until 1871, when he gave up his work in the ore mines. He then purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres in Lower Yoder township, to which he removed and engaged in agriculture, which was his occupation until his death, Januarv 27, 1878. He was a member of St. John Gaulbert's Catholic Church. In politics he was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party and an active worker in its ranks. He was elected to the office of tax collector in Cambria City, and later in Lower Yoder township.
He married, 1851, at the Half Way House, now known as South Fork, Mary Kelly, born in Letter-Kennv, Ireland, in 1835, daughter of Darby and Bridget Kelly, of Cambria county, who came to the United States with their children. Mrs. Burns died in 1874, and was buried in the Conemaugh cemetery. Later her remains were exhumed and interred beside those of her husband in Lower Yoder cemetery. The children of James and Mary (Kelly) Burns were: 1. Cornelius, married Annie Coll, and now resides in Morrellville, eighteenth ward. 2. James P. of whom see forward. 3. John, born January 18, 1851, is a stationary engineer. He married and now resides in Chicago, Illinois. 4. Daniel, born March 20, 1861, died October 15, 1893. He married Mary Doyle, and had one son. His widow lives in Chicago, Illinois. 5. Charles, born February 18, 1859, was an alderman of the sixteenth ward for ten years. He married Mima Rogers and resides in the seventh ward. 6. Terry, born June 10, 1863, married Ida Tauling and resides in the seventh ward. 7. Mary Ann, born September 8, 1865, married Edward Woltz; both deceased. 8. Patrick, born May 14, 1867, died in infancy. 9. Katy, died in infancy.
James P. Burns, second son and child of James and Mary (Kelly) Burns, was born in South Fork, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1855. During the same year his parents removed to Cambria, where he became a pupil in the public schools of the city, his first teacher being Lizzie McGurnan, and his last, Mr. Akers. His education was completed at the age of eighteen years. When he was sixteen ears of age he commenced to assist his father on the home farm, and at the age of twenty-one he left his home and went into the hard coal reigns of Schuylkill county. There he found employment in the mines for the greater part of two years and then returned to Johnstown. He obtained a position as galvanizer in the Gautier works, which he held until the morning of the great flood of May 31, 1889. Prior to this he had also been engaged in the hotel business in the fourteenth ward for a period of about four years. He erected a building for hotel purposes in 1881, on the site now occupied by Schaffer's store, and built his present hotel in 1892. This is a handsome structure, thirty-five by forty-eight feet in extent, containing twenty-one rooms. It is elegantly and comfortably furnished and the appointments are modern and handsome in every respect. He and his family are members of St. Columba's Catholic church. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party, and he has been an active member in the interests of that body. He was a member of the council of old Millville borough, and was treasurer of the borough in 1883-84. He was elected to membership in the select
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