Robert Burns was the son of Alexander J. Burns and Sarah Annie McDowell. He was the oldest of nine living children: John M., Henry Johnston, Hannah, William beatty, Samuel, Lydia Ann, James and Alexander.

He lived and died in Butler County, Pa. and served in the Civil War as a Private in the 6th Regiment, Company D, Artillery. His brother John Burns died in Anderslnville Prison , his brother Henry Johnston also served in the Civil War both. He was married to Mary Smith, they had one child John A. Burns who married Ellen in West Virginia.

OBIT

Butler Citizen newspaper, 15 May 1916, page 5

Robert Burns, aged 78, a former resident of the McBride City District, Penn township, died Saturday night at the Butler County Home, where he had resided for the past eight years. The body was taken in charge by the W. P. Roessing and son funeral directors of North Main Street, and the funeral services and burial will be held at the Mt. Vernon United Presbyterian church, Washington township.

The deceased was born in Butler county and resided most of his life in Penn township. He will be remembered by many of the oil men who operated in the McBride and Thorn creek fields 30 years back. He is survived by one son, John, who is supposed to be living in West Virginia, but who has not been heard from for sometime, and three brothers, Samuel Burns of Washington township, James Burns of Kittanning and Henry John Burns of Middlesex township."