|
Thomas H. Burns |
|
It is impossible in a brief biographical sketch to render full justice to prominent men, and yet there are some how are so intimately and clearly identified with the county's welfare, and whose names are so familiar to all, that it is only right to dwell upon what they have done and the influence of their career upon others. To this class belongs Thomas H. Burns, who is the present Trustee of township 5, range 10, Randolph County. He is active, wide-awake farmer, who has won success in pursuing his favorite occupation. Our subject's birth occurred in Monroe County, this state, December 8, 1841. He is the son of James and Lucinda (Brewer) Burns, the former of who was born in Perry County, Mo., in 1808. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, a farmer by occupation, ad departed this life in 1848 in Monroe County, this state, where he had resided for a few years. The mother of our subject is still living, at the advance age of eighty years, and makes her home in this county. Our subject and his brother, Basil K., are the only members living of the parental family of eight children. The former received a limited education in the common schools of Randolph County, ad after the decease of his father, remained at home with his mother until reaching his majority. On the outbreak of the Civil War, Thomas H. Burns joined the Union ranks, and became a member of Company B, Forty-ninth Illinois Infantry, which was commanded by his brother, James P. At the battle of Ft. Donelson, in which our subject participated, his brother was killed. Thomas H. was present at the siege of Corinth, and at the battle of Pleasant Hill, La., and with his company was detailed on the raid after Price. At the battle of Nashville, which followed, he was color bearer, and in 1862, when at Henderson, Tenn., was taken prisoner and sent to Columbia, that state whence he was paroled ten days later and conveyed to Columbus, Ohio, where he was exchanged. During the last three years of his service he was Corporal of his Company, and although the war from the beginning to the close, he was never wounded, but for a month was confined in the hospital at White Station, Tenn., where he had an attack of bilious fever. After the establishment of peace, our subject returned home to Randolph County, where he worked out by the month for a year, and October 16, 1866 was married to Miss Mary A, Hull. The two children who have come to bless their home are Henry E. and Sarah. Mrs. Burns is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while the mother of our subject is a catholic in religion. Mr. Burns has made this township his home since 1876. He is truly a self made man, and has met with both friendship and financial success in his journey through life. He owns two hundred and forty-eight acres of well improved land, and his residence is located one and a-quarter miles northeast of Brewersville. In politics he votes with the Republican party, and cast his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln. He takes an active interest in public affairs, and is now filling the office of Township Trustee. As might be expected, he is a Grand Army man, being connected with Nicholson Post No. 457, at Red Bud.
|