Encyclopedia Dubuque
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BURNS, John F.
BURNS, John F. (Dubuque, IA, July 16, 1859--Dubuque, IA, 1915). Burns has been considered the pioneer of the "fancy grocery" business in Dubuque. He was a son of John F and Bridget Burns, of Irish ancestry, who and came from Paterson, New Jersey, to Dubuque in the 1830s.
A bachelor who lived with his sister, Burns entered the grocery business at the age of fourteen as a clerk for his father in the grocery of RETALLICK & BURNS. He held the position until 1881 when he took over management of the store. He retired in 1908.
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Source:
"John F. Burns," Online: http://iagenweb.org/boards/dubuque/biographies/index.cgi?read=550225