I am sharing this biographical memoir of the Burnses of Jay, Wells and
Blackstone Cos., IN. (The boldface print is mine.) Joseph Burns is my gr-
grandfather. Can anyone give me info on these families? Or the families with
related surnames? Mary Burns Cohen
Transcript from:
"Biographical Memoirs of Well County, 1903":
"JOSEPH BURNS
Rising above the heads of the masses there have always been in every
community individuals who by reason of pronounced ability and force of
character have commanded the unbounded esteem of their fellowmen.
Characterized by the two respendant virtues that never fail, perseverance and
a directing spirit, such men always make their presence felt, and the vigor of
their strong personality serves as a stimulus and a strong intentive to the
young and rising generation. To this energetic and enterprising class the
subject of this sketch very properly belongs. Enjoying distinctive prestige
as a farmer and business man, he is also widely and favorably know as a
director of enterprises and to a marked degree he has achieved repute as a
moulder of public sentiment in the community of his residence. JOSEPH BURNS,
although of foreign birth, is a striking example of strong, virile American
citizenship. He is in the true sense of the term a self-made man and his rise
from very humble circumstances to his present position as a successful farmer
and a progressive man of affairs forcibly illustrates what can be accomplished
by a well defined purpose in life when that purpose is directed and fostered
by correct principles and manly conduct. Mr. Burns was born of Irish
parentage, but first saw the light of day in England, to which country his
father, MICHAEL BURNS, moved when a young man. The subject's birth occurred
in the city of Manchester on the 14th day of February, 1847, and about three
years later he was brought to the United States, the family settling in Jay
county, Indiana, in 1851. Poor in this world's goods and without the aid of
influential friends, Michael Burns found no rosy pathway to fortune in the new
world. Purchasing a small tract of wild land, he labored hard to improve the
same, meanwhile earning a little money by ditching for other parties. He was
a man of great industry, knew not the meaning of idleness and enjoyed but
little leisure while preparing a home and laboring for the support of those
dependent upon him. Intelligent beyond the average, he devoted his evenings
to reading and study and in this way became quite well informed on many
subjects, especially those questions relating to politics and national
legislature. By persevering effort he eventually succeeded in rising superior
to unfavorable environment and in the course of years, found himself the
possessor of a comfortable competence. He developed a good farm of one
hundred and sixty acres, which he subsequently sold for five thousand five
hundred dollars, and purchased, in October, 1866, an estate in Chester
township, Wells county, where he made his home the remainder of his life.
Michael Burns became an influential man in his neighborhood and was highly
esteemed by all who knew him. He was a local politician of considerable note
and for many years his favor was courted by candidates of the Democratic
party, as he exerted great influence among the voters of his township. A
devout Catholic in religion, he expended his means liberally for the support
of the church, he and JAMES McCAFFREY building the first house of worship in
the town of Montpelier. Four children were born to Mr. Burns, the oldest of
whom, JOHN, a sergeant in compant F, One Hundred and Fortieth Infantry, in the
Civil war, was wounded at the battle of Stone River and died from the effects
of his injuries on the 8th day of January, 1865. MARY, the second in order of
birth, died while the family was enroute to the United States and was buried
at sea; EMILY died at Manchester, England, when an infant; JOSEPH, the subject
of this sketch, being the youngest of the family.
The early life of Joseph Burns was spent on the farm in Jay county and it is
needless to state that fortune cast into his pathway no glittering crown. He
grew up with a proper appreciation of the true nobility of honest toil and
from youth to manhood knew what it meant to earn his bread by the sweat of his
brow. Amid the bracing air and vigorous outdoor exercises, he aquired
strength of limb and independence of mind which served him well when he began
the struggle of life in later years. Young Burns was born with a thirst for
knowledge and at an early age mastered the mysteries of the fundamental
branches by attending a school taught in a little log building, which stood
fully three miles from his home. The wyt to this backwoods college led
through a deep forest, and in order to reach it in time for the morning
lessons, the lad was obliged to get out of bed in the wee small hours and
start on the long tramp before daylight. Not infrequently, the deep snows
proved a decided hindrance, to wade through which taxed the physical powers of
the byt to the utmost capacity. Notwithstanding the daily walk of six miles
and the indifferent character of the teaching, young Burns made rapid
advancement and before his eighteenth year he had gone as far as his
instructor could take him, mastering all of the common branches, in several of
which he became unusually proficient. He has always been a great reader and
today his knowledge takes in a wide range of subjects, those bearing upon the
political and industrial history of our country being among the ones in which
he is especially well informed. Like a dutiful son, he remained at home
assisting with the labors of the farm until his twenty-second year when he
left the parental roof to make his own way in the world. Although penniless
at this time, he looked forward with hope, and began laying plans for future
action. Thinking that a companion on life's journey would result to his
advantage, Mr. Burns, on the 10th day of April, 1871, was united in marriage
to Miss ANN McCAFFREY, of Wells county, daughter of JAMES McCAFFREY, and
shortly thereafter moved to a small tract of woodland, which he purchased with
the prospect of paying for the same at some future date. Poor in purse, but
rich in love and devotion for each other and determined to make the most of
their opportunities, the young couple set up their humble establishment and
resolutely addressed themselves to the task of making a home and clearing it
of debt. To narrate in detail how this was eventually accomplished, how they
worked hard, denied themselves many privileges and made sacrifices which tried
their souls as well as their bodies, would far transcend the limits of this
article. Suffice it to say, however, that by long continued toil and
patience, persevering effort, the forest growth gradually disappeared before
the sturdy strokes of Mr. Burns' ax until at length one of the finest and most
valuable farms in Chester township rewarded the labors so heroically put
forth. Mr. Burns cleared and developed with his own hands fully one hundred
acres of land. His place is highly improved and well cultivated, containing
substantial buildings, fine fences and other accessories bespeaking the home
of the intelligent and enterprising husbandman. Situated in the richest of
the Indiana oil fields, it would command a very high price if put on the
market, and for agricultural purposes alone the place has been conservatively
estimated at one hundred dollars per acre. In addition to general farming and
stock raising, Mr. Burns has made considerable money contracting for the
construction of gravel roads and like work in this and other counties. He has
already made over thirteen miles of public highway in the county of Wells
alone, besides doing much street work in the city of Bluffton, realizing
liberal returns from his contracts. For many years, he has been a public
auctioneer, his services in the capacity being in great demand throughout
several northeastern counties.
In politics, Mr. Burns is a Democrat of the old school and as such has
rendered his party great service in every campaign in the last quarter
century. Not only is he an active worker in the ranks, but as a public
speaker he possesses a power surpassed by few. Logical in presenting facts,
he impresses them by strong, well-put arguments and, rising at times to the
heights of true eloquence, he seldom fails in convincing and always pleases
and entertains his audiences. He is the soul of large hearted fellowship.
Endowed with the natural wit and humor for which his nationality is especially
distinguished, he is the life of every social gathering graced by his presence
and numbers his warm freinds by the score among all classes of people. As a
neighbor he is accomodating at all times, generous to a fault and no worthy
person or legitimate enterprise ever appealed to him in vain. His hand is
ever open to help the poor and distressed and his home is the abode of a
generous hospitality which many of his freinds delight to share. He was born
within the pale of the Catholic church and has always been loyal to its
precepts and liberal in the expenditure of his means for its support. His
wife and children have also been trained according to its teachings and are
now amony its zealous members in the county of Wells.
Mr. and Mrs. Burns are the parents of nine children: JOHN, the oldest, born
April 10, 1872, was graduated from the Bluffton high school, began teaching at
the early age of sixteen years and followed educational work for a number of
years in Wells county. Later he studied law, rose rapidly in the profession
and at this time is prosecuting attorney for the twenty-eighth judicial
district, comprising the counties of Wells and Blackford; WILLIAM, the second
child, died when five years old, JAMES was born and reared in Chester
township, this county, and is now a resident of Montpelier; TILDEN, the next
in order of birth, lives at home and manages the farm; JOSEPH H. is a tool-
dresser in the oil fields of Indiana and has prospered in that kind of work;
the other members of the family, MILLIE, ELIZABETH, PATRICK G., ANNA, and
FELIX, are still with their parents."
The married children of Joseph Burns and their spouses were:
John Burns m. ZINA HYER ( born in Fayette Co. OH, dau. NEWTON HYER & ELLA
COLLIER)
James Burns m. MARY "MOLLIE" CATHERINE ROOK
Minta "Millie" Burns m. JAMES FONCANNON
Patrick Gratton "P.G." m. CLARA BLANCH GREENFIELD (dau. CHARLES GREENFIELD
&
MINNIE GUESS)
Elizabeth "Bessie" Burns m. ROBERT DENNISON
Anna Burns m. LAWRENCE MULVAHILL
Felix Burns m. FLOBELL EATON
I have descendant info on the John Burns/ Zina Hyer and the Patrick G.
Burns/Clara Blanche Greenfield families to share.
Please e-mail me at marybcohen(a)aol.com if you have any info regarding any of
these families.