Education
He graduated from Saint Louis University, in Saint Louis, Missouri, in 1873 and from the law department of Harvard University in 1874.
United States representative politician
He graduated from Saint Louis University, in Saint Louis, Missouri, in 1873 and from the law department of Harvard University in 1874.
Born in Ringgold, Missouri, Burnes received his early schooling in Weston, Missouri. Later, he moved to Germany and studied at Heidelberg University. He returned to the United States and settled in Saint Joseph, Missouri, where he engaged in the practice of law.
Burnes was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-third Congress (March 4, 1893-March 3, 1895).
He declined to be a candidate for reelection in 1894, and resumed the practice of law. He died on his estate, "Ayr Lawn," at Saint Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, November 2, 1899.
He was interred in Mount Mora Cemetery.