Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana.
Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, p. 485. James C. BURLINGTON, M.D. Naturally a
kind-hearted and sympathetic man, Dr. Burlington is admirable adapted for the work which
now occupies his attention, and in the sick room possesses that magnetic influence and
pleasing presence that do so much to cheer and encourage the patient. His genial
personality and kindly sympathy with those who come to him as invalids have brought to him
a clientele perhaps even larger than would have been attracted by his recognized ability
and the success which attended his efforts. He was born in Eureka, Woodford Co, Ill, May
25, 1837 to Robert and Mary J. Long Burlington, natives of VA and IN respectively, their
marriage being consummated in the Hoosier State. Robert Burlington removed from the Old
Dominion in 1828 and in 1832 settled in Illinois, where he followed the calling of a
mechanic, his son, James C, learnign the trade of a carpenter under his direction. He
began his apprenticeship at the age of 19, and after becoming well versed in this
business, followed it for a time in St. Louis, Mo. Owing to the fact that Dr.
Burlington's father's family was large and his means limited, he left home at the
early age of 11 and began to make his own way in the world as a farm hand in the vicinity
of his home, and to this occupation his attention was devoted until he was nearly 16. Up
to this time he had obtained but little schooling, but had perhaps attended about two
winter terms, and as he was an ambitious boy possessing good judgment and a fine
intellect, many of his evenings were devoted to study and the perusal of such books as
came his way. His efforts to satisfy his taste for learning were unremitting and although
it seemed to him that the obstacles thrown in his way were innumerable, he continued to
persevere and was soon as well informed as any youth of his age. He worked at the
carpenter's trade at Litchfield, illinois for six years, but at the end of that time
he returned to Eureka and became a contrator, following this occupation with good results
for 4 years. About this time Dr. Burlington received a severe injury to his hip, after
which he learned telegraphy, which he folloed 3 1/2 years. Two years of that time were
spent as Superintendent of the Great Western Telegraph Company and he was manager of the
line between Chicago & Decatur. While working as a telegraph operator he began the
study of medicine, his kindly nature instinctively turning to that broad field of human
suffering for his life work. He afterward entered Cincinnati Eclectic College from which
he graduated Feb 24, 1877. On the 19th of Feb 1886, he graduated from the Indianapolis
Eclectic Medical College, having prior to that time practiced at Strasburg, Ill from 1876
to 1878. In the last mentioned year he opened an office at Attica, where he has become
very popular and has a very extended practice. He possesses a thorough knowledge of the
principles underlying the practice of medicine, and is familiar with the most approved
methods of treating the various ailments which the physician is called upon to prescribe
for in a general practice. To these he has added, by close observation and the exercise
of native tact, a broad knowledge of mankind in all that the term implies. Dr. Burlington
is a member of the Indiana and National Eclectic Medical Associations and was at one time
President of the State Association. He is also a member of the World's Congress of
Physicians and Surgeons. He was health officer of Attica for 3 years, is a Democrat
politically, and is a warm partisan. He is thoroughly wrapped up in his practice, keeps
well posted in all the improvements made in the profession, and has done much independent
investigation, in which he has achieved remarkable results which he expects soon to
publish to the world. At the opening of the civil War he enlisted at Litchfield, ill, in
Co. D, 7th Ill Vol for 3 months' service at Cairo, but as he was at that time troubled
with inflamed eyes, his services were rejected. July 19, 1863, Dr. Burlington was married
at Litchfield, Ill to Miss Sarah E. HENDERSON, a native of the Sucker State and their
family is as follows: Eva, wife of Frank Fugate of Danville, Ill, Chief Line Inspector of
the CHicago & Eastern Indiana RR; Roy, who is in his 17th year and Atta, 13. The Dr.
and his wife are members of the Christian Church and he is an active member of the ancient
Free & Accepted Masons, Knights of Honor & Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is
now in independent circumstances financially and is rich in the friendship of all with
whom he comes n contact. Dr. Burlington is generous to a fault, and no one has ever
applied to the Dr. for aid that has been refused. He is a man of the broad & liberal
gauge sort when lending aid to any and all enterprises promising to benefit the general
public.