Joseph Martin Burgess

BURGESS, WOODALL, JOHNSON, MCGINNIS, WHITE, MATTHEWS, THROSSEL, BATES

Posted By: CH
Date: 7/4/2007 at 22:55:06

J. MARTIN BURGESS, the popular cashier of the Bank of Cassville, and justice of the peace and notary public, was born in Muckallouge, Beetown township, in 1847, and is a worthy representative of a prominent pioneer family of Grant county.

Henry BURGESS, his father, was born in Kentucky Dec. 19, 1808, a son of William BURGESS, who married a lady named JOHNSON, both also natives of that State, and early settlers of Bond county, Ill., where William BURGESS opened up and improved a farm. There a stockade was built, to which during the Indian troubles of 1812 he took his family for protection. He was a member of the Mounted Dragoons, in the State militia, and was wounded in the shoulder by an Indian during an attack. He continued to make his home in Bond county, Ill., until his death, which occurred in 1853. His wife died some years previously.

Henry BURGESS, the father of J. Martin, was reared and educated in Bond county, Ill., and in 1845 came to Potosi, Grant county, Wis., locating in Beetown township in the fall of the same year. He was engaged in mining until about 1853, when he purchased a tract of wild land in Cassville township, which he transformed into a well improved and highly cultivated farm. In early life he affiliated with the Democratic party, but on the formation of the Republican party, in 1856, he joined its ranks, continuing as one of its stanch supporters until his death. In 1856 he was elected justice of the peace in Cassville township, and held that office continuously until 1893. In that capacity he performed his first marriage ceremony Nov. 1, 1857, and during the succeeding years married 130 couples, the last being on March 14, 1892. He also served as chairman of the town board, and was town clerk for twenty years. Henry BURGESS was twice married, the first time in Bond county, Ill., about 1832, to a Miss WHITE, who died in that State. To them were born four children: William, a farmer, who died in Cassville, Wis., in 1858; John H., who enlisted in 1862 in Company C, 2d Wis. V.I., and died at Arlington Heights the same year; Elizabeth Jane, who died in Nebraska in 1896; and Mary Ann, who died in that State in 1894. Mr. BURGESS was again married, in Wisconsin, in 1845, his second union being with Harriet Leanora MATTHEWS, who died in March, 1885, while his death occurred May 5, 1895. The children born to them were Joseph Martin, whose name introduces this review; James T., principal of the high school at Sargents Bluff, Iowa; George P., postmaster and justice of the peace at Graham, Clayton Co., Iowa; and Harriet, who died at the age of three years. By a former marriage the mother had two children: Sarah, wife of Butler THROSSEL, chairman of the county board of Franklin county, Iowa; and Adaline, now Mrs. BATES, of Kingman county, Kansas.

Reared in Beetown and Cassville townships, J. Martin BURGESS began his education in the district schools, and later attended the high schools of Cassville and Lancaster. For twelve years he successfully followed school teaching in Grant county, Wis., and Clayton county, Iowa, and for a time was in the employ of a railroad company. In June, 1899, he was made cashier of the Bank of Cassville, and is now filling that responsible position in a most creditable and satisfactory manner. In 1894 he succeeded his father as justice of the peace, and up to January, 1900, had married thirty-eight couples. He also served as town clerk a number of years, and is now notary public.

At Cassville, in 1872, Mr. BURGESS was united in marriage with Miss Mary WOODALL, a native of Dubuque county, Iowa, of which her parents, Obediah and Mary (McGINNIS) WOODALL, were pioneers. Her father died in Clayton county, Iowa, in 1893, having survived his wife many years. Mr. and Mrs. BURGESS are active and influential members of the Baptist Church, in which he is serving as deacon, and he was superintendent of the Sabbath school in 1899. Socially he is a prominent member of Cassville Lodge, No. 235, F. & A.M., in which he now fills the office of worthy master. He is one of the most popular and highly respected citizens of Cassville, and those who know him best are numbered among his warmest friends.

~Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901 - page 173-174

~transcribed by Carol Holmbeck

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