William
M. Burns was born in Plain Grove Township, Mercer (now
Lawrence) County, April 23, 1815. When
eighteen years of age, he left home with one dollar in his pocket, and was
apprenticed to John Stevenson, of Springfield
Township, and learned the tanning Business; and, after two and half years,
he merged forth a first.
In
the later year (1838) he married Miss Susan Holiday,
a of Mercer County, by whom he had two sons, who survived but about three
years. [incorrect information, they were James Harvy
Burns and William Burns].
After her death, he remained a widower for nearly three years, in
the interval, working hard, and adding by fresh purchases, to his farm.
In
1844, he married Miss Mary Ann Troy, a native of Mooresburg, PA. This
second union has been blessed with ten children – five daughters, and
five sons.
His
elder son, his mother was Susan Holiday, was
nearly Ready to graduate from Allegheny College, at Meadville, PA at the
breaking out of the rebellion, but he promptly left his alma mater, and
volunteered in the service of his country.
He served with distinction in several engagements, and was killed
in the defense of Washington, at Brightwood Station, July 12th, 1864.
William
Burns’ career has been marked by the usual routine of
Misfortunes. In 1864, he
sustained very severe personal injury by the running away of his horse.
This accident resulted in the fracture of his shoulder, the
breaking of his collar-bone, and other hurts, which have made him a
cripple, to some extent, ever since.
Notwithstanding this drawback, his progressive disposition has
triumphed, and he has, by his own exertions, added to his first farm
purchase, at various times, until he now has a highly cultivated and
fertile farm of 135 acres. He
is a Republican, having first been a Whig, and was a firm supporter of the
anti-slavery cause. He is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was for twenty-two
years a steward. In 1860, the
people of the county elected his to the office of county auditor, which he
filled for three years with great acceptability, and to the general
satisfaction of his constituents. In
fine, Mr. Burns is a gentleman of sterling integrity, sound judgment, and
great popularity. His portrait adorns our pages, else where in this work.
History
of Mercer County, 1877 (Combination Atlas and Mercer County
History). Submitted by Tyrella
Pringle Thomas
Some
corrections by Tyrella Pringle Thomas
Additional
information on James Harvy Burns:
From reading letters from him, and by information gathered from his
cousin, Dr. George Burns, it seems he wanted
to enlist earlier, but, on account of the serious illness of his brother,
the entire family united to persuade his that his duty lay in staying home
and earning for his. However, in March of 1864 he enlisted, and on July 12th of
the same year was accidentally killed by a friend and neighbor.
From all accounts he was a fine scholar, a Christian, and a
gentleman. He was born June 18, 1839 and died July 12, 1864.
William Holiday Burns, never fully
recovered from that illness, and was more or less a charge all his life.
He was born January 5, 1841 and died January 6, 1896.
