Dr. Alexander C. Burns, who since 1877 has been one of the leading physicians and esteemed and valued residents of Getaway, Ohio and Huntington, WV was born in 1848 in Washington Co. Pa. His parents are deceased. The family is a numerous one, Dr. Burns being one of twelve children and 50 grandchildren. Most of the members of the family still reside in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Burns obtained his education in the common schools and in young manhood followed the profession of teaching for some time, possessing a life certificate in his native state. For four years he taught in a one room schoolhouse in Good Intent, Pa, then taught for one year at a young ladies seminary at West Middleton, Pa. He entered Washington Jeffereson College and one year later entered the Medical School at the University of Michigan, graduating in 1877. Since June of that year he has been in continuous practice, settling first in Getaway, Lawrence Co. Ohio and moving to Huntington WV in 1893.

Although his skill is acknowledged in almost all lines of professional work, Dr. Burns has been especially successful in his treatment of bronchial troubles and has a perfectly equipped office where he makes use of instruments especially designed for him for the dilating of the windpipe. His fame in treating stricture of this organ has brought him patients from long distances and so closely has he devoted himself to their care that his own health is threatening to give way. His latest study has been of the pelvic organs and a post-graduate course taken in New York City has added to his general knowledge and prepared him for making a specialty in this line.

Dr. Burns was united in marriage to a daughter of Creed Templeton, of Lawrence County, Ohio and four children have been born to them: Adrienne, city librarian of Huntington, Anice, a student at Marshall, Oren, E., educated at Marshall College engaged in the lumber business, and James, engaged in surveying in Kentucky, married twice and died at age 22.

It as largely through the efforts of Dr. Burns that the fine Carnegie Library, now in the course of construction, was secured for Huntington. He worked hard for the enterprise, secured the legislation and taxation necessary for its proper maintenance; it is controlled by the Board of Education, of which he has been a member for 7 years. Dr. Burns is a member of the local and State Medical Societies and his papers and opinons have weight with his brother practioners. Fraternally he belongs to the B.P.O.E.

His home and office in Huntington was located at 928 5th Avenue, where Jim's Restaurant is today.

Prominent Men Of West Virginia, 1890