Biography of W. H. Burrow - Conway Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Cathy Barnes Date: 21 Jun 1998 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas. Goodspeed Publishers, 1891. page 46 Col. W. H. Burrow, a prominent planter of Lewisburg, was born in West Tennessee in 1830, May 15th. He was the second in a family of thirteen children born to Hiram and Lydia (House) Burrow, parents also natives of Tennessee. Paternal grandfather Philip, was an early pioneer (1805) to Bedford County from North Carolina. In 1824 moved to West Tennessee, and came to Arkansas with his youngest son, and died in this State in 1861. Was a soldier in the war of 1812. Maternal grandfather, John House, came to Tennessee from Orange County, North Carolina in 1807-8. He also moved to West Tennessee in 1825, where he died in 1846. The father of our subject was reared in Tennessee; was a planter, and was one of the leading spirits in the Methodist Episcopal Church; held some office in the church from the earliest memory of his son. He died in 1873, and was followed the next year in May by his excellent wife. Our subject was reared on the farm, had no educational advantages till 17 years of age, when he went to boarding school for two terms. Then engaged in teaching one term. Then entered Bethel College, McLemoresville, where he remained one year. Then taught for four years. In 1857 was married on October 13, to Miss Fannie E, Gill, a native of North Carclina. Removed to Tennessee. October 13, 1858 the family started overland for Arkansas. It required three months to make the trip, and arrived at Fourche LeFevre Creek in Perry County. There he bought 240 acres, partly improved, and began the life of a farmer. In 1860 moved to the Arkansas River, in the same county, and there managed the estate of his wife's uncle, Thomas Gill. Remained there until the Federal occupation, when he took his hands to Texas. After a few months in Texas went to Tennessee and then back home, where he remained till the close of the war. In May, 1865, went to Tennessee with family, and in August of that year Mrs. Burrow died. To the union three children were born, Horace Etheridge, died in infancy; Charles Christmas, a merchant at Morrilton; Thomas Ewell resides in Morrilton. Mr. Burrow came back to Arkansas in 1865, and began farming on the river in Perry County. In 1868 made a permanent settlement at Lewisburg. In 1869 bought 440 acres river bottom land, four miles below, with but sixty-five under cultivation; now has 325 cleared. In 1878 and 1884 bought 564 acres on the opposite river bank, all river bottom, 300 under cultivation. In 1871 married the second time to Miss Sallie E. Howard, a native of Arkansas, born in Conway County, daughter of Benjamin F. Howard, who came to Conway County in 1828 from Tennessee. He was a native of North Carolina, married in Arkansas to Miss Margaret Houston, a daughter of John Houston, who came to this locality as early as 1820. These families were among the earliest settlers. In 1871 bought a tract of five acres and erected his present pleasant home in Lewisburg. To this second union was born three children, Oscar Sayle, Lydia Ann and Mabel S. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, which Mr. Burrow joined in 1848. Since that time he has been an active worker in both church and Sabbath-school.