Stephen B. BURRIS, a veteran of the late war, did his duty manfully
while fighting for his country, and has done no less good service in
promoting the agricultural interests of Johnson County
as one of its practical, enterprising and successful farmers, his farm
on section 11, Vienna Township, being one of the best equipped and best
managed in this region.
Mr. BURRIS was born in Fleming County, Ky., August 25,1830, his father,
Hiram D. BURRIS, being a native of the same county. The latter was left
an orphan at an early age, and was reared by strangers. He learned the
trade of a shoemaker in his youth, and followed it in Kentucky until
the fall of 1851, when he came to Illinois, accompanied by his wife and
nine children, traveling hither by way of the Ohio River as far
as Metropolis, and thence by team to his destination in Grantsburg
Township. After living a short time on land that he bought there, he
took up his residence at Vienna, where he followed his occupation of
making shoes, and there his death occurred at the age of fifty-four.
His wife also died at Vienna. Her name before marriage was Elizabeth RIDDLE, and she was also born in
Fleming County, Ky., a daughter of Stephen BIDDLE. These worthy people
reared a family of ten children.
Our subject passed his early life in his native county, and obtained
his education in subscription schools, there being no free schools at
the time, each family having to pay in proportion to the number of
scholars that attended. As his father was poor, his chances of going to
school were limited, and while he was yet a boy he had to help support
the family. He came to Illinois with his parents, and continued to
reside with them until he was twenty-three years old, when he commenced
to learn the trade of a carpenter, at which he worked until he entered
the army. He also had an interest, with his brother, in a cabinet shop,
which he purchased in 1861, and which he disposed of at the time
mentioned.
In August of the year 1862, Mr. BURRIS settled up his affairs, and laid
aside his work to go to the front with the brave boys in blue to help
save the Union from destruction. He became a member of Company I, One
Hundred and Twentieth Illinois Infantry, and did his share of fighting
in the various engagements with the rebels in which his regiment bore
an active part. He was present at the siege of Vicksburg, and assisted
in its capture. After that notable event, his regiment was employed in
guarding railways and in fighting bushwhackers. In October, 1864, our
subject fell into the hands of the Confederates, and had an unpleasant
experience of life in rebel prisons at Meriden (Miss.) and Cahaba. From
the latter place he was transferred to Vicksburg, and with many others
was paroled. These soldiers took passage on three steamers for St.
Louis, and on the voyage the engine of one of the boats exploded, and
all on board were lost. Our subject arrived at home safely at last, and
did not rejoin his regiment, as his health was much impaired by what he had undergone.
As
soon as he was able after his discharge from the service, Mr. BURRIS
resumed business in the cabinet shop in which he had formerly been
interested, having a share of the profits as before. Two years
afterward he sold his interest in the shop, and in 1869 settled on the
farm where he now resides,
and has since devoted himself to its improvement. It comprises one
hundred and twenty acres, of which ninety are under a high state of
tillage, and the substantial buildings that stand on the place rank
with the best in the township.
Mr. BURRIS was first married November 13, 1853, to Nancy M., daughter
of James and Mary GRISSON, and a native of this county. She passed
away in January, 1862. Two children by that marriage are living:
Pleasant G. and Thomas R. Mr. BURRIS was married a second time,
November 12, 1865, Mildred STOCKDALE becoming his wife. She is a native
of Fleming County, Ky., and a daughter of James and Mary STOCKDALE.
There are six children living by this union: Arthur, Edith, Mollie,
Fannie, Albert and Ethel. Edith is a teacher in the public schools.
Mr. and Mrs. BURRIS are conscientious, upright Christian people, and
the United Baptist Church finds in them two of its most helpful
members. Mr. BURRIS is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic as
a member of Vienna Post No. 221, and in politics he votes with the
Republican party.
transcribed by Nan Starjak
Source:
The Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope and Hardin
Counties
Chicago
Biographical Publishing Co., 1893
pp. 225-226.
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