A valiant soldier when the republic was endangered in the great
Rebellion, a useful citizen in times of peace and a true friend to his
fellow men, Captain Archibald Burns, of Macoupin county, is remembered
with deep respect by all who came within the circle of his influence. He
was a native of Bath, County Down, Ireland, born July 12, 1837. His
parents were George and Jane (McClellan) Burns, both of whom were born
and spent their entire lives on the Emerald isle.
Captain Burns
possessed limited advantages of education in his boyhood but he was
through life of an observing nature and by reading and contact with the
world overcame the disadvantages under which he labored in his earlier
years. He left home when young and spent two years with an older
brother, Thomas, in Scotland. At the age of thirteen he emigrated to
America and first took up his residence in Pennsylvania where he secured
employment in the coal mines. Subsequently he came to Illinois and for
several years worked in the mines at Alton. He was a lover of the Union
and when President Lincoln called for defenders of the flag, in the
spring of 1861, he responded and for three months was a member of
Company G, Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. At the close of this
period of service he enlisted for three years in Company D, Tenth
Illinois Volunteers, and after his term of service had expired once more
enlisted in the same company and regiment. Beginning as a private he was
advanced through various grades and was honorably mustered out July 10,
1865, as captain of his company. After laying aside the accouterments of
war he applied himself to farming in Macoupin county and as he was a man
of industry and good judgment he prospered in his calling and became the
owner of nine hundred acres of land in this county, also gaining a
position as one of its most respected citizens.
On February 7,
1871, Captain Burns was married to Miss Susan Ferguson, a native of
Macoupin county and a sister of David Ferguson, record of whom appears
elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Burns inherited one hundred and sixty acres
of land from her parents, which was the old Ferguson homestead where her
father located as a pioneer in 1839. This tract still remains in
possession of the family. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Burns,
Henry J., Sarah Jane, Robert, George, Susan and Mary. The children are
all living except George, who died in childhood, and reside with their
mother.
The death of Captain Burns occurred August 13, 1906,
after he had arrived at the age of seventy-four years, and the general
expression of regret indicated that the community had lost one of its
most esteemed citizens. His memory will remain as a benediction to all
with whom he came in contact. He was a sincere believer in the,
Christian religion and was long a member of the Baptist church but in
his later years attended the Methodist Episcopal church. He belonged to
the Camp of the Grand Army of the Republic at Staunton and was also
identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically he
adhered to the republican party but not as an office seeker, the only
public place he ever held being that of supervisor, which he filled with
general acceptance for several terms. A descendant of a worthy race, he
honestly discharged his responsibilities, and it may be said of him that
he was an earnest, loyal and true-hearted man whose greatest desire it
was to contribute to the happiness of those with whom he was associated.
Mrs. Burns is a woman of many estimable characteristics and proved a
worthy companion to her husband. She and her children are well known in
Macoupin county and their home is a center of hospitality where friends
are always assured of a cordial greeting.
Extracted 17 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 556-557.
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