Jay County Indiana 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 Please e-mail me at marybcohen@aol.com if you have any info regarding these families. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. 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