Legislator Details
Number of sessions served 3
Gender: Male
Age at election: 23
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 1/8/1899
City: Detroit, MI
County: Wayne County, MI
Country: US
Death
Date: 3/24/1963
City: Detroit, MI
County: Wayne County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date:
City: Detroit, MI
County: Wayne County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Mount Olivet Cemetery
Marital Information:
married Mary Loretta Shannon, died 5/20/1957; children: 1, John C.; married Ellen Bertha Lammi;
Number of Children: 1
Background
Religion: Catholic
Military Service: United States Navy
Occupation: hotel, real estate, purchasing agent, bonding business
Race: Caucasian or White
Education:
parochial schools; graduated from Assumption high school; graduated from the literary department of Assumption College, Windsor; University of Detroit Law School
Biographical Sketch:
Son of James D. and Catherine Burns. During world war II, he served in the naval aviation department and upon his return took the management of the St. Claire hotel. Member of Knights of Columbus. Purchasing agent.
Notable Facts:
He was Great Lakes Naval Training Station boxing champion. He once floored a fellow senator during a session.
Charged on July 20, 1946 (along with 18 other legislators) with accepting bribes to vote against a banking bill, but the entire case collapsed when the star prosecution witness, Charles F. Hemans, refused to testify.
His father was the first owner of the Tigers in Detroit.
Changed parties: elected as a Republican in 1922; as a Democrat in the 30s
Sessions Served:
Committees Served On: College of Mines , Institutions for State Wards, Judiciary , Normal Schools, Public Health
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District Description: 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th wards of Detroit
Reason for Leaving Office: Lost Primary
End of Term Status: Departed
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Institutions for State Wards
Committees Served On: Apportionment , Cities and Villages , Education , Executive Business , Judiciary , Normal Schools, State Affairs , State Hospitals
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District Description: 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th wards of Detroit in Wayne County
Reason for Leaving Office: Lost Primary
End of Term Status: Departed
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Cities and Villages
Committees Served On: City Corporations , Education , Ionia State Hospital , Kalamazoo State Hospital
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
Reason for Leaving Office: Lost Primary
End of Term Status: Departed
Bibliography:
Manual 1923 p.735; Manual 1941 p.664; 1963 HJ p.875; Manual 1923 p.735; PolGryd; Find-a-Grave.com; MIBirRec 1867-1914; HJ 1963 p.875, HCR42; DetNews 3/25/1963 p.3, col.4/5; USCen 1950
