From the San Marcos Free Press as printed in The Austin Statesman
It becomes our painful duty to record the death of Honorable Edward Burleson, which occurred at the home of his sister, Mrs. T.E. Sneed in the city of Austin at 6AM on the 12th of May. But a few months ago Mrs. Burleson was laid away in her grave and the sad bereavement operated so heavily upon the surviving husband as to bring upon him a depression fatal in its consequences. Since the death of his wife Major Burleson has been in declining health, weakening as the days went by until death came and placed him with the one he loved so well.
Major Burleson was born November 26th, 1826 in Tipton County, Tennessee. In 1831 his father, General Edward Burleson of Texas Revolutionary fame moved to Texas and settled in Bastrop County, where the son grew up to manhood. In 1848 the family moved to Hays County, where the subject of this sketch established his home to the day of his death. He married Miss Emma Kyle, daughter of Claiborne Kyle of Hays County. He served as a soldier in the Mexican War under Ben McCulloch and in 1857 was in the Texas frontier service with Colonel Ford holding the rank of Major. During this service he received a severe wound in an Indian engagement on the Rio Grande River, the effects of which remained with him through life. Though often called upon to accept a civil position he refused in all instances, except when elected as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1876 in which body he served with distinction. Again he acted as a Commissioner for locating the Eastern State Penitentiary.
In social life Major Burleson was a gentleman of rare parts. Love and kindness were his leading attributes and association with him was conducive to honorable and ennobling impulses, his acquaintances honored and respected him and his family regarded him almost in the light of a divine impersonation. Friends and relatives and State have lost much in his death and his memory will live with many as the brightest along their life's journey. His happy matrimonial connection was productive of a numerous family of children, seven of whom are living, four boys and three girls. Their bereavement and grief elicits the deepest sympathy.
Major Burleson's funeral at the family burying ground on the Blanco on Sunday last was very largely attended. His remains rest beside those of the wife who was the light and saving influence of his life and apart from whom he cared not to live.
