Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 304-305; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Rev. William Burgess, Pastor of the Congregational Church,
Canton. While there are many avenues by which mental ability leads to
distinction, there is scarcely one of more benefit to humanity as a
family, than that of caring for the immortal soul. A pastor's duty
entails upon him a great deal of responsibility, for not only must he
guide people safely through the shoals of this world, but prepare them
for a safe passage into the unknown world. Among the men who have
labored early and late to accomplish this purpose, and to be of
inestimable benefit to frail humanity, ranks the Rev. William Burgess.
Our subject was ushered into life at Norwich, England, on May
26, 1843, being the son of William and Elizabeth (Taylor) Burgess. The
father died when our subject was only nine years of age, and thus he is
a self-made man in the true sense of that term. Being very desirous of
entering the ministry, he was aided in the accomplishment of this
ambition by a philanthropic gentleman of his native place. Dr. Burgess,
after completing his education and being fully prepared to preach the
Gospel as a Methodist minister, suddenly discovered when in his
twentieth year, that he could not entirely agree with this denomination
in their doctrines, and so renounced for a time the idea of preaching.
Our subject upon reaching his twenty-first year began a
lecturing tour through the United Kingdom, preaching social reform and
temperance, and also giving extensive lectures upon historical
subjects. For a period of seventeen years he continued to lecture, in
the meantime contributing to several journals in England, and in 1875,
became the founder and editor of the Medical Enquirer, at Liverpool.
The chief object was to resist the thought of necessary vice, and he
was unusually well qualified to discuss this great question in all its
manifold aspects. When the end was accomplished the publication ceased
after a three year's run. It had a free distribution and was supported
by several wealthy men. Its effect was to repeal the law which it
antagonized, the late disclosures in the Pall Mall Gazette being
brought about by the agitation and by the efforts of the Medical
Enquirer. A leading paper in speaking of the Rev. Burgess as a
lecturer, says, "He has a pleasant and attractive appearance, is a
bright, ready and lively speaker, has a clear ringing voice and
commands the attention of his audience at the beginning. His delivery
is good, his manner earnest, and he handles his subject as one
perfectly at home."
The subject of our sketch moved with his family to America in
September, 1880,locating at Toronto. His first act was to found the
Canada Citizen, a reform paper which is still running. After taking
charge of said paper for about two years, he sold out his interest in
same and accepted a call to the ministry. After being ordained pastor
of the Congregational Church at Listowel, Ontario, he published a book
called "Land, Labor and Liquor." Our subject remained in charge of that
church until January 1888, and in 1890, he came to Canton, Ill,, and is
pastor of the First Congregational Church in this city. He is editing a
paper, The Church Bells.
Rev. Mr. Burgess's mother died in Liverpool at an advanced age,
the father having died many years before as above stated. They were the
parents of five children, of whom our subject is the eldest. The others
are, Edward, editor of a paper called Daylight, a radical sheet
published in Norwich, England; Amelia, Lydia and Emma, the latter of
whom is deceased.
Mr. Burgess was married in Norwich in 1865, to Miss Frances A.
Miles, a native of that town. To them have been born eight children,
viz: William Edward, parliamentary correspondent of the Montreal
Herald; Emma, Arthur, Frank, Roscoe, Queenie, Lillie and Wilfred. Our
subject is a member of the Royal Temple of Temperance, and has a fine
medal which was presented to him on his coming to the States from
Canada. He is at work on a new book, the title of which will probably
be "The Wreck of Wealth." He is an indefatigable worker, and a most
brilliant orator.
