Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 642 - 643 

WILLIAM M. BURNS, who occupies a fine and well-improved farm in Park Township, is numbered among its well-to-do farmers, who from a small beginning has built up one of the most valuable homesteads within its borders. The residence and its surroundings, a view of which is given on another page, are highly creditable to the proprietor and indicate him to be a man of industry and energy, who has kept his eyes open to what is going on in the world around him, and availed himself of the most approved methods of carrying on agriculture and stock-raising.

            Like many of the men who have contributed to the development of the rich resources of Southern Kansas, Mr. Burns is a native of the Keystone State, having been born in Venango County, on the 11th of May, 1834. His father, James Burns, was a native of Virginia, whence he migrated when a young man to Pennsylvania, and locating near the city of Harrisburg met and married Miss Mary McCune, who was of Scotch birth and parentage. The mother of our subject crossed the Atlantic with her parents in early youth, and was the offspring of a good old family, and had three brothers who were ministers of the Presbyterian Church.

            James Burns, when his son William M. was but a child three years of age, resolved to cross the Mississippi and seek his home in the more western country. He located in Van Buren County, Iowa, of which he was one of the earliest pioneers, built up a good homestead from the uncultivated land, and died at a ripe old age, in 1874. The mother, who was born in 1803, is still living, and makes her home with her daughter in Watsonville, Cal. The parental household included nine children, eight of whom lived to mature years. Thomas died in Diamond Springs, Cal., about 1884; Alex died at Ottumwa, Iowa, in 1874; Nancy became the wife of Lysander Root, and is living in Washington County, this State; Margaret died at the age of fifteen years, in Iowa; William M., of our sketch, was the sixth in order of birth; Mary, Mrs. Owen Tuttle, is a resident of Watsonville, Cal.; Miles J. is traveling agent for the Paris Insurance Company, and makes his home at Ottumwa, Iowa; John W. is farming in Van Buren County, that State; Stephen M., during the late war, enlisted in the 3d Iowa Cavalry, and died in the service.

            The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood in Van Buren County, Iowa, attending the common schools during the winter terms, and assisting his father on the farm during the seasons of sowing and reaping. In 1852 he accompanied his elder brothers, Thomas and Alex, to California, making the journey across the plains with ox-teams, and being ninety-six days on the road from Omaha to Hangtown. He remained on the Pacific Slope for a period of twelve years, engaged mostly in mining, and was fairly successful. During this time he traveled over the larger portion of the Northwest, visiting Oregon, Washington Territory and British America. In December, 1863, he retraced his steps eastward, and sought his old haunts in Van Buren County, Iowa, arriving there in January, 1864.

            Mr. Burns had some time previously purchased land in Van Buren County, which he sold in October, 1869, and removed to another tract of which he was the possessor, near the city of Ottumwa. In October, 1869, he was also united in marriage with Miss Ella Woodruff, who was born in Bentonsport, Iowa, and who only remained the companion of her husband a few short months, passing away on the 20th of March, 1870. This sad bereavement induced our subject to change his location once more and depart from the scenes of his late happiness and also his sorrow. He accordingly sold out, and coming to Butler County, this State, preempted a tract of land near Augusta, upon which he resided until 1875. The spring of that year, resolved upon once more changing his residence, he came to this county and settled upon the land which comprises his present farm. Upon this he has effected a great change, reducing the soil to a thorough state of cultivation and putting up a good set of frame buildings. He keeps good grades of live stock, operates with the most approved farm machinery, and in all respects illustrates the intelligent and progressive agriculturist.

            The present wife of our subject, with whom he was united in marriage Oct. 20, 1881, was formerly Miss Isabel E. Howard, who was born in Christian County, Mo., April 15, 1857. Mrs. Burns is the daughter of Henry and Martha (Moore) Howard, who were natives of Kentucky, and are now in Sedgwick County. Our subject and his wife have no children. Mr. B., politically, votes with the Republican party, and is a Royal Arch Mason of good standing, belonging to the Blue Lodge, at Wichita.

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