Dallas Co., TX - Bios: Nathaniel M. Burford
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Nathaniel M. Burford (24 Jun 1824-10 May 1898)

Biography on pages337-338 in Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas County,
Texas (Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1892, transcribed by Robert Bennett 27 Nov 2005

JUDGE NATHANIEL M. BURFORD was born in the State of Tennessee, June 24, 1924.
and is a son of John H. and Nancy (McAlister) Burford, natives of North Carolina
and Virginia respectively. The parents were pioneers of Tennessee, and were
married in that State. The father was a farmer by occupation. He served as
Captain in the war of 1812, and distinguished himself for bravery and courage.
He ended a long and useful career in 1862. His wife died in 1870. They were
sturdy, noble souls, people of great character, and representative types of the
early settlers.

Nathaniel M. grew to maturity in his native State. After a careful preparation
by private tutors he entered Irving College, and took the full course of that
institution. He then read the law, and was admitted to the bar in 1845,
beginning an active practice the following year.

In January, 1847, he removed to Texas, and settled in Jefferson, where he
resided until October 8, 1848, at which time he settled in Dallas, where he has
been a prominent factor in the development and progress of the State. So rapidly
did he grow in popularity and public esteem that in 1850 he was elected District
Attorney. He served the term with great satisfaction to his constituency, and
was re- elected to the office in 1852.

In 1856 he was elected Judge of the Fourteenth Judicial District, which
comprised a wide territory. He traversed the section under his jurisdiction in a
primitive style, and was always received in with bounteous hospitality by the
settlers. During his administration the State was passing through a transition
period, many cases of grave and serious importance arose. His clear conception
of the law, coupled with a prompt decision and unflinching adherence to his
convictions, enabled him to master the situation under all circumstances, and
won for him a wide and lasting reputation. During his official career he became
the personal friend of General Thomas, and made the acquaintance of many other
persons of distinction.

In 1862 Judge Burford was made Colonel of the Nineteenth Texas Cavalry in the
Confederate service, and held the position until 1864, when he was obliged to
resign on account of ill health. He resumed his legal practice, and was soon
elected as a member of the Eleventh Assembly of Texas, and was chosen Speaker of
the House. He was in 1876 again elected District Judge, an office which he
resigned after two years account of ill health. Since that time he has been
living a retired life.

Judge Burford was united in marriage, in 1854, to Miss Mary Knight, a native of
Tennessee. Eight children were born to them, four of whom survived the mother,
who died in 1888. She was a faithful wife, a fond and careful mother, and a
woman of great nobleness of character. The children are named as follows:
Mattie, the wife of William Freeman, Robert L., Jeff. M., and Mary. The children
have all enjoyed superior educational advantages, and have made the most of
their opportunities.

Their father has been a student all his life and is one of the most cultured
gentlemen in Dallas county. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and for many
years has served as Vestryman. Both in public and private life he has lived
above reproach, and Dallas county is proud to claim  Nathaniel M. Burford as one
of her representative citizens.