Burham, Augustine

BURHAM, STEWART

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 8/8/2020 at 08:38:28

Augustine Burham, deceased, was a native of Virginia, born in 1800. His parents dying when he was but eight years of age, but little is known of them. He was reared on a farm in Virginia, and moved from that State to Maryland, in an early day, and from there to Washington County, Iowa, in the spring of 1852, locating in Cedar Township, where he remained until his death, which occurred June 28, 1887, at the age of eighty-seven years. He was married in Virginia to Miss Rebecca Stewart, also a native of that State. They were the parents of thirteen children: John now resides in Jasper County, Mo., is a carpenter by trade, but is at present employed as a civil engineer on a railroad; Hiram died when a child; William resides in Franklin Township; James Gibson, of Cedar Township; Nelson C., now residing in Nebraska; Martha A. first married Cal. Johnson, who died, and she subsequently married James Miller, but again a widow and makes her home with James G. Burham in Franklin Township; Harriet is the wife of William Leasure, of Newton County, Mo., Julia A. first married Jacob Helwick, who died, and she is now the wife of Capt. John Gray, of Brighton; Lucy Ann, wife of M. D. Cuffee, of Carthage, Mo.; Henry H. was a soldier in Co. I, 13th Iowa Vol. Inf., and served until his death, which occurred at Corinth, Miss., in 1862, at the age of nineteen years; Seymour, now of Woodburn, Clark Co., Iowa; Perry residing in West Chester; Harry, a farmer in Cedar Township.

Thrown upon his own resources at the age of eight years, with no kind father or loving mother to guide his young footsteps, Mr. Burham grew to manhood and had instilled in his mind, by others, correct principles of morality and of business. All the property he had while in this life, he secured by his own exertions, never having inherited a dollar. During almost his entire life he was afflicted with disease, but was ever patient, never complaining. Rearing a large family of children, he endeavored to instill in their minds the same business as well as moral principles. He spoke evil of no man, and endeavored to treat others as he would have them treat him, living closely to the Golden Rule. His death was mourned alike by family and friends.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Augustine Burham, pages 533-534.