W. R. BURNS, a well-known young farmer of Hanover township, familiarly known as "Dick," is the descendant of an old Scotch family. His great-grandfather, one John Burns, was born in Scotland, and coming to America, located in Allegheny county, Penn., many years ago. He married, and reared the following sons: John, Robert, James, Thomas, Samuel, Alexander and William. The names of the daughters in this family have not been ascertained. The parents died in Allegheny county. John Burns, a son of this early pioneer, was born in Allegheny county, Penn., and attended the rate schools, afterward supplementing this early training with a good practical education. He learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for some time. He was united in marriage with Jane Crooks who was born near Candor, in Washington county, Penn., a daughter of Henry Crooks. The children of John and Jane Burns were as follows: Nancy, married to Samuel Nichols, a native of Ireland; Alexander, who lived near Clinton, Allegheny Co., Penn.; Jane, Mrs. Robert Aten; Henry; Mary, Mrs. John White, of Beaver county, Penn.; John; William; Margaret, widow of James Hood, living in Hanover township, and George a farmer of Allegheny county, living on the old homestead. Of this family Margaret and George are yet living. The father followed farming for many years in connection with his trade, and lived to a ripe old age. In politics he was a lifelong Whig, and in religion he and his wife were members of Hopewell Presbyterian Church. Both were buried in the cemetery of that church.
William Burns was born in 1811, in Allegheny county, Penn., and during boyhood worked on the farm, and attended the rate schools of his neighborhood. About 1836 he was married to a Miss Saxton, of Hanover township, Washington county, who bore him four children, namely: John (deceased in youth), Elizabeth (Mrs. James Purdy, of Allegheny county), Melissa (twice married, first to Samuel Simpson, then to a Mr. Parkinson) and Sarah J. (Mrs. James Cain, of Beaver county, Penn.). The mother died, and for his second wife Mr. Burns was married to Nancy Crouse, of Hanover township, daughter of Jacob Crouse. Their children were Eveline (deceased), W. R. (subject), Ida (Mrs. Roscoe McClintock) and Andrew G. After his marriage William Burns located on the home farm in Hanover township, carrying on a successful business in general farming, and giving especial attention to the culture of small fruits. Politically he was an enthusiastic Whig and Republican. He died in 1879, and was buried in Frankfort cemetery. After his death his widow continued to reside on the old place left by her husband, which she managed until the time of her tragic death, in February, 1890. She was standing as a spectator by a boiler house (used by a pipeline company to transport oil) which had been erected on her property, when the boiler exploded and Mrs. Burns sustained injuries which resulted in her death three days later. She was laid by her husband in Frankfort cemetery. They were both members of the Presbyterian Church at Frankfort, in which he had served in various capacities.
W. R. Burns was born December 22, 1813, in Hanover township, this county, and passed his boyhood on the old place. On September 30, 1886, he was married to Lizzie Moore, who was born in 1865, a daughter of Russell and Hannah (Livingston) Moore, of Florence, this county. The young couple first located in Frankfort, Beaver Co., Penn., where he followed teaming in the oil fields, continuing in that business after coming to his present home. He has erected a very pleasant new residence on a part of the old homestead, where he is now living. He is a progressive young farmer of Hanover township, and in politics votes with the Republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Burns have three children: William L., Ralph L. and Nancy M., all living at home.
Text taken from page 1414 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]