La Grande,Union County, Oregon
William David Burnap was born in Bedford township, Meigs County, Ohio, May 10, 1842, and died at his home near LaGrande, Oregon, December 22, 1911.
He was married to Mary Melvina Hoit, of West Point, Illinois, March 3, 1867, by the late Rev. William B. Finlay, of St. Albens township, Hancock County.
The following children and his aged companion survie him; Rrs. Ruthanar Maud Cole of flora, Or., Marius Melvin Burnap, La Grande, Or, Albert Vinton Burnap, Walla Walla, WA, W. Eugene Burnap, Asel Hoyt Burnap of Touchet, WA, and Mrs. Ocie Vaun Frakes of Starbuck, WA.
Mr. Burnap was a Civil War veteran, enlisting at Warsaw, Illinois, September 2, 1861, in the Black Hawk Independent Calvalry, afterwward known as the 7th Mo. Cav., and served as fourth and third sargent in Cos. E. and M.. He reinlisted January 1, 1864, and received his final discharge papers by reason of expiration of term of service at Little Rock, Arkansas in 1865.
He and his family left Hancock County in September of 1872, and resided in western Kansas for several years, enduring with other friends and comrades from St. Albens, the famishing grasshopper siege of 73 and 74 and in 1885 went overland to eastern Oregon, and afterwards moving to Walla Walla county, WA. In 1910 he returned to Oregon, LaGrande, Union County.
On Thursday, December 21st, 1911, Mr. and Mrs. Burnap drove to LaGrande a distance of about eight miles and on returning home the same evening, he complained of a pain in his chest. Hot applications and other remedies failing to give the desired relief a mustard draft was applied and about 3 o’clock in the morning he fell into an easy, restful sleep. On awakening about six o’clock he said he felt much better and after eating a light breakfast he arose and walked abut the room and out on to the porch and gave some directions about the care of the stock. after sitting awhile in his rocking chair he again laid down while conversing with a neighbor who had called about 10:30 o’clock, he suddenly ceased speaking and expired.
Coped from page 43, My Burnap Family, by Zola Burnap Irwin, ind. published 1980
William David Burnap, (father of Maud R.Burnap, son-in-laws father of Wiley P. Cole)
Mona Pomraning
Researching Wiley P. Cole descendents and family
