1950 Catherine (Burns) Chesrown (4th from right) at Eva Petrie's birthday party
Catherine Morison Burns 1874 - 1967
Catherine Morison Burns - an overview
Putting the McLeoran family tree into perspective, Donald McLaran's children and Catherine were second cousins. Catherine's birth has been covered on her mother's page.
In the 1891 Census, Catherine (known as "Kate") was recorded as working at Carskey House as a general servant. Shortly after, Catherine, her mother Ann Mackay Burns, and her nephew Alistair McNiven (later aka Colville) emigrated to North Dakota to join her sister Margaret and husband William Colville.
Catherine's life story may be found in a history of Linton ND and it is included below.
A short summary of her life is as follows:
Putting the McLeoran family tree into perspective, Donald McLaran's children and Catherine were second cousins. Catherine's birth has been covered on her mother's page.
In the 1891 Census, Catherine (known as "Kate") was recorded as working at Carskey House as a general servant. Shortly after, Catherine, her mother Ann Mackay Burns, and her nephew Alistair McNiven (later aka Colville) emigrated to North Dakota to join her sister Margaret and husband William Colville.
Catherine's life story may be found in a history of Linton ND and it is included below.
A short summary of her life is as follows:
- Catherine was born on 16 Oct 1874 at Southend, four months after her parents' marriage. Her father James Burns was a journeyman mason who has proved difficult to locate in the 1881 Census. Her second name "Morison" does not appear to have a McLeoran connection.
- As her mother Ann was recorded as a married woman in the 1881 Census and a widow in the 1891 Census, it is reasonable to assume James Burns died in the 1880s.
- Catherine was a general servant at Carskey and not then 17 when she emigrated to North Dakota with Ann and Alistair in 1891.
- Fort Yates in the 1890s was a US Army post and in the centre of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal area.
- Catherine worked at various places around Fort Yates - a mission station, a family business at Winona, and a stagecoach station.
- In 1899 she married the 13 years older Frank Chesrown, a Minnesota native who had been in the area for some years - see the 1890 photo below - and lived at Winona.
- Between 1901 and 1917 the Chesrowns had four sons and two daughters, four of whom lived into their 80s and beyond. Only one died in infancy, Ella (6) in 1915.
- In 1907 the Chesrowns relocated to the new town of Linton, located nearby but on the railroad, as it offered schooling for their children.
- Census records indicate that Catherine's mother, Ann Mackay Burns, lived with the Chesrowns in Linton until she died in 1931.
- Husband Frank passed away at Linton in 1943, aged 82.
- Catherine at the age of 76, appeared hale and hearty in the 1950 photograph of Eva Petrie's party.
- Catherine passed away in Linton in her 93rd year and was buried at the local cemetery.
Catherine Burns' and Frank Chesrown's Children
1874 Catherine Burns' Scottish birth record
Linton Cemetery - the Chesrown Grave
1967 Catherine Burns' death certificate
Date of birth and age are incorrect (1874)
Date of birth and age are incorrect (1874)
The life story of Catherine Burns and Frank Chesrown
Birth year incorrect (1874)
Birth year incorrect (1874)
1890 photo of Frank Chesrown and a group from Winona
1923 Robert and Francis "Chet" Chesrown - Linton football team
1988 Robert Chesrown's headstone at Linton ND
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1988 Robert Chesrown obituaries
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Ann Chesrown - 1912 and 1995 obituary
Comments - Catherine Burns' Legacy
Catherine did not rush into marriage on arrival in North Dakota, taking seven years to wisely chose Frank Chesrown. She spent over 60 years of her life in Linton ND, raising six children, the final 24 years as a widow. From the 1950 photograph, it is obvious that Catherine played an important part in community affairs.
Catherine's legacy is her large and successful family, extending across the USA today.
Catherine did not rush into marriage on arrival in North Dakota, taking seven years to wisely chose Frank Chesrown. She spent over 60 years of her life in Linton ND, raising six children, the final 24 years as a widow. From the 1950 photograph, it is obvious that Catherine played an important part in community affairs.
Catherine's legacy is her large and successful family, extending across the USA today.