Burrows, Moses bio

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 697-698; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Moses Burrows. Many of the most patriotic citizens of our nation have emigrated hither from foreign lands, and among them are some of the stalwart sons of the “Mother County.” With keen intuition they have foreseen future prosperity in America such as never could be attained in their own land, and coming across the ocean have, almost invariably, been successful in their undertakings. Of this thriving class Mr. Burrows furnishes a representative example, being prominent in this county as a skillful farmer and extensive stock-raiser.
The birthplace of Burrows was eight miles west of Liverpool, England, and the year thereof 1829. He lived on his native soil the first twenty years of his life, and at an early age began to support himself. When about nine years old he entered a rope factory, where he remained three years, first turning the wheel for the spinner, and working in all parts, except spinning, in succession. He received eight cents per day, walking two and one-half miles to the factory and boarding himself. At the age of thirteen he commenced to work in a shoe-shop in Liverpool, and there remained for six years, leaving it on account of some trouble with the firm.
In 1849, having resolved to seek a home in the New World, Mr. Burrows emigrated from England to America. After landing on these shores he made his way across the country to Illinois, and established himself in the city of Lewistown. Having served an apprenticeship of six years as a shoemaker I Liverpool, he was thoroughly familiar with the trade and was actively engaged in this business in Lewistown for the following fifteen years.
The next move of our subject was to rent a farm, comprising about one hundred and twenty acres, one and one-half miles east of Lewistown. The next year he rented another farm of the same size, of Leonard F. Ross, one mile south of Lewistown. He conducted his farming operation there three years, and then rented eighty acres of land of Mrs. Peters for the ensuing two years. Going one half mile south of that place, he subsequently rented an eight-acre tract of land for one year. We next hear of him in the northern part of the county, where he rented one hundred and fifty acres of Leonard F. Ross. At the expiration of that time he rented one hundred and sixty acres of Miss Melinda Babbitt for one year, and then invested some of the money he had saved in the purchase of eight acres of land on section 23, Bernadotte Township.
The pleasant farm, which he had purchased with the accumulation of years of labor, Mr. Burrows improved and resided upon seven years, then traded it for a beautiful estate of two hundred acres on the bottom lands of section 15, where he now makes his home. Its level, well-tilled fields present an attractive appearance, roomy buildings on the place, and the air of neatness and thrift everywhere noticeable. Near the center of the farm there is a rise of land or mount which, with excellent taste, Mr. Burrows selected as a site for his resident, a large and conveniently arranged two-story frame structure and one of the most pleasant homes of the neighborhood.
In addition to his homestead, Mr. Burrows owns one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 11, where his oldest son resides. He has also recently enlarged his landed possessions by the purchase of eight-one and one-half acres adjoining his home farm. He is a very extensive stock-raiser and keeps so much stock that he is compelled to buy feed, not being able to raise enough grain on his farm.
The lady who has for many years been the devoted wife of Mr. Burrows, born the maiden name of Ann Hunter, and was born near Liverpool, England, November 18, 1834. She met her future husband on the ship en route to America, and was united in marriage with him at Lewistown, August 30, 1849. Their pleasant wedded life has been abundantly blessed to them by the birth of thirteen children, of whom the following eleven are living: Thomas, Mary A., Sara A., James A., Joseph, John, Martha, George, Moses, Emma and William. They are all located in Bernadotte Township, and by their useful lives reflect credit upon their early training. Mrs. Burrows has been to her husband a true wife and to their children a wise mother.
As every loyal citizen should, our subject takes considerable interest in politics, and is a stanch advocate of the Republican party. He is public-spirited and never loses an opportunity to advance the welfare of his adopted township, materially, socially or religiously. He is serving as School Director and is zealous and efficient in educational matters. A sincere Christian, the Methodist Church finds in him one of its best members. He is a Steward of the Church and one of its Trustees. He is very generous in his support of the same, contributing $100 this year toward its support.
A lithographic portrait of Mr. Burrows appears elsewhere in this volume.