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THOMAS JONATHAN BURRILL, LL. D.
Dr. Burrill was born at Pittsfield, Mass., on April 25, 1839, the third son of John and Mary (Francis) Burrill. The father was a native of England and the mother of Ireland, but of Scotch ancestry. The Burrill and Francis fam- ilies both emigrated to America while their children were young, and the latter were mar- ried in 1828 at Pawtucket, R. I., but after- wards made their home at Pittsfield.
About 1848, with his family, John Burrill, the father, removed to Illinois and set up his home in Stephenson County. This removal was made by the then most feasible route- by railroad to Albany, thence to Buffalo by
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
the Erie Canal and by steamer around the lakes to Chicago. The journey of one hundred and twenty miles across Northern Illinois to the new home was made by teams. The home was made upon new land entered from the Government by the father two years before the removal of the family. All around was much in the condition as left by nature, and equality prevailed among the dwellers there; for all lived in log houses and all were occu- pied in the making of homes and farms from the new lands. The only exception to the universally occupied log houses was the hastily constructed frame house erected by the Bur- rills, the sawed lumber used therein having been hauled from Chicago by team.
Here in this home, and under these rugged conditions and subject to the unavoidable pri- vations of a life incident to the pioneer, this family was reared and the childhood and youth of the lad Thomas was spent. The schools there were of the same character as elsewhere in Illinois, fostered by no general law, but sus- tained only by private subscription at the first. Three or four months' attendance on the common-school each winter represented all the school advantages, such as they were, usu- ally enjoyed, which was supplemented in the case of Mr. Burrill by attendance upon the Rockford High School. In this manner he qualified himself for entering the Illinois State Normal University, at Normal, from which he was graduated in 1865. Following his gradu- ation he immediately accepted the superin- tendency of the schools at Urbana, tendered to him, and there entered upon what proved his life work. For three years, he filled this position most acceptably tò his employers.
A mile away from the Urbana school house, upon a waste prairie between Urbana and Champaign, when the young school Principal went there, stood a vacant five-story building just then enclosed, subsequently known as the Urbana and Champaign Seminary. It awaited not only the finishing touch of the builder, but it awaited also the organization which was to fill the purpose of its construction. Its erec- tion and history has been elsewhere detailed at length.
The term of service of the third year in Urbana terminated the week before the open- ing of the University, then known as the Illinois Industrial University, in March, 1868. Only three members of the Faculty had then
been appointed; and, while the number of students who offered themselves at the open- ing was small, the teaching force was propor- tionately small and inadequate in numbers to meet the demand. Dr. Burrill being upon the ground and unemployed, was at once se- cured as an assistant and placed in charge of classes. In this capacity his merits as an in- structor were soon seen and appreciated by Regent. Gregory, and his name was recom- mended to the Board of Trustees, and he was chosen Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences, and placed in charge of that department which then included Botany, Zoology and Geology. In his academic course he had given particu- lar attention to the natural sciences, and, in recognition of his fitness for the position, in 1867 was chosen Botanist for Powell's Rocky Mountain Exploring Expedition, in which he spent the summer of that year with Major Powell in the mountains of Colorado. From this beginning, with the natural bent for the investigation of Nature's secrets, and in fur- therance of the purposes of his department of the University, step by step, with the growth of the institution, involving a life of severe labor, has been made the progress of Dr. Burrill from student and public school princi- pal to an important professorship.
In March, 1870, the Board of Trustees cre- ated the department of Botany and Horticul- ture, to the head of which Dr. Burrill was called, and which position he has ever since filled. In 1879 he became Vice-President of the institution, by virtue of which he has, at different times, filled the executive office, at one time for a period of nearly four years dur- ing an interregnum in the presidency. When at length the vacancy in the presidency was filled in 1894, the Board of Trustees created a new office, that of Dean of the General Fac- ulty and of the graduate school, to which Dr. Burrill was called.
Dr. Burrill at one time filled the office of President of the Illinois State Horticultural Society by the choice of the eminent horti- culturists who form that body, and has long been considered a high authority in that de- partment of rural science. Ever since the establishment in connection with the Univer- sity of Illinois of the Agricultural Experiment Station in 1888, he has been a member of its Board of Directors, and also its horticulturist and botanist
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
From different high sources, educational in- stitutions other than his own, Dr. Burrill has been the recipient of high academic honors in testimony of his eminent scholarship, the last of which was the degree of Doctor of Laws from the Northwestern University at Evanston, in 1893, which institution had previously hon- ored itself as well as the recipient by con- ferring upon him the degree of Master of Arts. So, also, the University of Chicago, in 1881, conferred upon him (on thesis) the degree of Doctor of Physics. He has also been elected to fellowships in several American and Euro- pean scientific organizations, in some of which he has held important offices. To those who know the commendable character and very re- tiring modesty of the man, it will be needless to say that he has neither sought these honors nor attempted to secure special recognition for service, however much their bestowal may have been valued by him.
The chief line of research in which Dr. Burrill has been engaged during his years spent in the company of the microscope, has been the agency of the various classes of bac- teria in the production of diseases of plants and animals; and he has the distinction of having been the first to make known to the world the well known and accepted theory that disease is transmitted through this agency. The subject of parasitic fungi was also early taken up by him and, before any one else in America had made much advancement in the. study, valuable reports were issued by him which have been recognized as authority. In 1888 a United States commission was to be appointed to settle a scientific controversy con- cerning communicable diseases of swine. His well known studies upon bacteria in general designated Dr. Burrill as one of the best men in the country for the service, and he was accordingly appointed a member of the com- mission and ultimately shared in the respon- sibility of the report rendered.
It is a well known fact that the great beauty of the grounds upon which the University of Illinois is situated, is largely due to the taste and care given them from the first by Dr. Burrill. Trees have been selected and planted and drives have been laid out and im- proved under his advice and direction, until the very common and unattractive prairie upon which the buildings were erected has become, perhaps, the most attractive university
grounds in the country. The good taste and neatness here displayed has produced a won- derful effect upon the adjacent cities. Where a few years since were unkept door-yards filled with weeds or, at best, with high grass, are now to be seen, mile after mile, smoothly shaven green lawns, with no unsightly thing in sight. The example of the University has been so contagious that the two cities are noted for the taste and beauty of the homes and the cleanliness of the streets. In honor of the designer the beautiful avenue which divides the University grounds and along which its magnificent buildings have been erected, has been officially named "Burrill Av- enue."
. So the wise councils and kindly influences at home, and the world-wide reputation as an investigator and educator abroad, of Dr. Bur- rill, have been among the most potent in- fluences in the unprecedented growth of the University of Illinois from the beginning. Of him and of his reputation the citizens of the County of Champaign of every class are proud, as of one of themselves.
In 1868 Dr. Burrill was married to Miss Sarah M. Alexander, a sister of O. O. Alexan- der, then a most popular citizen and Clerk of the Circuit Court of Champaign County. Their home on Green Street is one of the most com- fortable and beautiful among those which line that noted thoroughfare for four miles through the two cities.
THOMAS A. BURT, Clerk of Champaign County, Ill., of which he is a native son, was born on a farm south of Urbana, November 13, 1868, and was reared and educated in the town of Urbana, to which he removed when four years old, after the death of his father. He entered the office of the County Clerk as deputy in September, 1888, was elected County Clerk at a special election in December, 1896, succeeding himself after the election of Novem- ber, 1898, and again in 1902.
DANIEL ADAM BURWASH was born in Two Mountains County, Canada, August 9, 1851. His parents were Stephen and Louisa (Barber) Burwash, the former born April 23, 1814, in the same house, which afterwards became the birth-place of the son, while the birth of his mother occurred about twenty miles dis- tant, December 27, 1815. They were mar-
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
ried in 1841. Stephen Burwash emigrated to Illinois with his family in 1860, and first settled in Edgar County, where he engaged in farming. Four years later, he removed to Champaign County, and for a year lived about three miles south of Philo, where he first rent- ed a farm, and then bought forty-five acres on Setion 25, Champaign Township, and there he resided until his death, July 31, 1891, his wife having passed away May 20, 1886. They were members of the Methodist Church, and Mr. Burwash was always loyal to the Republican party.
Daniel Burwash attended school a short time in Canada, and later the public schools of Illinois. He grew up on the farm and when thirty years of age, succeeded to ownership of the paternal homestead, by the purchase of the other children's interest. He then added to this property until he now owns 270 acres of fine farming land, all lying alongside the Illinois Central Railroad. He also owns 160 acres in Carroll County, Mo., which is all under der cultivation. He is now engaged in general farming and stock-raising, having about 180 acres in Carroll County, Mo., which is all un- land being in hay pasture. In 1899 he built a beautiful home, which is finished in natural wood and heated by hot-water throughout.
Mr. Burwash was married May 22, 1884, to Miss Sarah Elizabeth Berry, a daughter of Louis and Catherine (Payne) Berry, who was born in Wabash County, Ind. Her father moved from Indiana to Wisconsin, where he was drafted into the Federal army, but died be- fore reaching the line of battle. Mr. Berry then returned to Indiana, where she soon after died at the age of thirty-six years. Her daugh- ter was thus left an orphan at a very early age. The mother was a member of the Meth- odist Church. Mr. Berry was a loyal Repub- lican, but was averse to joining the army, owing to the youthfulness of his children. Two boys and two girls were born to Mr. and Mrs. Burwash, namely: Arthur Ernest, aged fifteen; Mary Gladys, aged thirteen; Louis Stephen, aged nine; and Ruth Margaret, aged six. All of the children reside at home. The family is affiliated with the Methodist Church, and Mr. Burwash supports the Republican party, having served his term as School Director.
Mr. Burwash had one brother and four sis- sers, namely: Laura, Mrs. Richard Perry, now residing near Alva, Oklahoma; Mary, Mrs.
Thomas Stanford, who died October 20, 1904; Rebecca, who died May 7, 1864; Isaac, who died February 8, 1852; Harriet Lavina, Mrs. Ernest R. Welshly, of Champaign.
MILO B. BURWASH, Champaign, Ill., was born at Rough River, Canada, in 1849, the son of Samuel and Louis (Barker) Burwash, and was educated in the common schools. His father (whose sketch is given in this volume) came to Illinois from Canada in 1860, settling in Illinois, where he purchased a farm in 1867, on the southeast quarter of Section 33, in Champaign Township. To this farm Milo Bur- wash succeeded to the ownership and has added to it until he now owns 240 acres. The subject of this sketch was never mar- ried, he and his sister living together. They are members of the Methodist Church and Mr. Burwash is a Republican in politics. His health gave way about nine years ago and he was obliged to give up farming, but was cured by treatment received at the Sanitarium at Battle Creek, Mich. During the summer of 1893, he built a beautiful home at 610 West Green Street Champaign, where he now resides. Mr. Burwash has the proud distinction of having entered the Uni- versity of Illinois in the first class of 1868, and of graduating with the first class in 1872.
SAMUEL BURWASH, Champaign County, Ill., was born April 21, 1816, in Rough River, Canada, the son of Adam and Polly (Flint) Burwash, who were born in New York and moved to Canada during the struggle between Great Britain and the American Colonies. His grandfather, Nathaniel Burwash, was born in England, and settled in New York prior to the Revolution.
Samuel Burwash was married January 18, 1844, to Lois Barber, who was born near his birth place, January 8, 1826. Eight children were born to them, of whom three are de- ceased, one of them dying at the age of fif- teen years. Those living are: Thomas N. (q. v.); Adelia Maria, born August 31, 1847; Milo B., December 3, 1849; Samuel L., October 16, 1851; Carolina L., July, 1854; Samuel Burwash removed to Champaign County with his family in 1864, and settled in Philo, and in 1867 lo- cated on a farm on Section 33, southeast quar- ter of Champaign Township. Born in Canada of English stock that had been among the early
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
emigrants to New York State, prior to those struggles which caused them to move to the British possessions owing to their sympathies with the mother country, he had grown to sturdy manhood. and partaken of those qualities of the men of his time and age which have made themselves felt in the communities in which they have lived. Mrs. Burwash died November, 1862, but Mr. Burwash lived to the age of seventy-eight years, dying in 1894.
THOMAS NATHANIEL BURWASH, physi- cian, was born near Montreal, Canada East, August 15, 1845, the son of Samuel and Lois (Barber) Burwash, who were natives of Can- ada, the former born April 21, 1816, the latter January 8, 1826, near her husband's birthplace. They were married on January 18, 1844, and were the parents of eight children: Thomas N .; Adelia Maria, born August 31, 1847; Milo B., born December 3, 1849; Samuel L., born Octo- ber 16, 1851; Caroline L., born in July, 1854; and three others who are deceased. Samuel Burwash was the son of Adam and Laura (Flint) Burwash, natives respectively of New York and Vermont, who removed to Canada during the struggle between Great Britain and the Colonies. He and his wife are both de- ceased, the latter dying in November, 1862, and the former in his seventy-eighth year, 111 January, 1894. Nathaniel Burwash, grandfather of Samuel, was born in England, came to the United States and settled in New York prior to the Revolution. All of the family were farmers, and in religious belief connected with the Methodist Churchi.
Thomas N. Burwash was educated at the University of Illinois, Urbana, but before com- pleting his course, was obliged by illness to abandon his studies and seek health in the West, where he remained for about two years, in Kansas and Iowa. On his return he took up the first course in medicine, at the University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo., and later attended the Missouri Medical Institute at St. Louis, from which he was graduated in 1878. He then commenced the practice of medicine at Plain- view, Ill., where he resided for twenty-one years. About six years ago he removed to Cham- paign in order to give his children the benefit of an education in the University of that place. Dr. Burwash owns eighty-two acres of land on which he resides, and where he conducts a training school for boys, situated at the ter-
mination of University Avenue, and known as the "Blue Grass Home."
On September 8, 1881, Dr. Burwash was mar- ried at Shipman, Ill., to Sarah Margaret Bos- well, who was born March 27, 1855, daughter of John and Ann (Nightengale) Boswell, both natives of London, England. The father was engaged in farming. The daughter received her education in the Ladies' Seminary at Geneva, Wis. To Dr. and Mrs. Burwash the following named children have been born: Lois, Irene, Florence Serria, Milo Eugene, Clarence Fletch- er, Clifford Thomas, Mabel Estella, Ralph Sam- uel, Sara Grace, Lucy Paulene and Maynard Boswell. Politically Dr. Burwash is a Repub- lican, and in his religious belief a member of the First Methodist Church. Socially he is a Mason.
HEIJE T. BUSBOOM, well known farmer, Compromise Township, Champaign County, Ill., was born in Germany, July 30, 1846, a son of Thees H. and Inka (Adams) Busboom. Reared on the paternal farm, Mr. Busboom was twenty years old when, in 1866, he established the fam- ily name in Adams County, Ill. His parents followed his example in 1868, bringing with them to Adams County their three sons, Ran- kin, George and John. About 1874 the entire family located in Compromise Township, Cham- paign County, where the mother died in 1885, at the age of seventy-five, the father surviv- ing her until 1893, dying at the age of eighty- two.
In 1869, the year after the arrival of his parents in Adams County, Mr. Busboom mar- ried Barbara Schoene, of Adams County, and of this union seven children were born: an in- fant, who died at the age of ten months; Olt- man; Thees; Peter; Rankin; Emma, wife of Menke Franzen; and Tina, wife of Ehme Fran- zen. Mrs. Busboom died February 8, 1901, and on March 7, 1903, Mr. Busbcom was united in marriage to Lena S. Schoene, sister of his first wife. The church affiliations of Mr. Bus- boom are with the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Politically he is a Republican, and at present holds the office of Supervisor for Com- promise Township.
GEORGE W. BUSEY, prominent banker of Urbana, Champaign County, Ill., was born in his present home city, May 8, 1861, and there re- ceived his education. He is a son of Simeon
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Harrison and Artemisia (Jones) Busey, of whom the former was born October 24, 1824, and the latter, October 26, 1826. The father's birthplace was Greencastle, Ind., and that of the mother Shelby County, Ky. The ancestry of the subject of this sketch in this country is traceable, on the paternal side, to the great- . grandparents, Samuel and Catherine (Seigler) Busey, natives of North Carolina, the former having been born January 10, 1768. The grandparents were Col. Matthew W. and Eliz- abeth (Bush) Busey, who were born in Shelby County, Ky., Colonel Busey, on May 15, 1798, and his wife, on March 6. 1801. His maternal grand-parents, John W. and Alice (Scott) Jones, were born, respectively, November 16, 1794, and October 20, 1798.
Since entering upon a banking career, Mr. Busey has been conspicuous in the business circles of Urbana, and his counsel and advice in financial matters carry much weight. .
Mr. Busey was married May 14, 1890, to Kate Baker, who was born in Ripon, Wis., and re- ceived her education at Cobden, Ill., and St. Louis, Mo. Their union has resulted in two children-Garreta Helen and Margaret J.
Politically Mr. Busey takes an independent course. Fraternally he is identified with the A. F. & A. M. Order.
MRS. MARY ELIZABETH (BOWEN) BUSEY, wife of Gen. Samuel T. Busey, Urbana, Ill., was born in Delphi, Ind., June 21, 1854, the daughter of Abner H. and Catherine J. (Trawin) Bowen, the former born in Dayton, Ohio, and the latter in Calcutta, India. On the paternal side Mrs. Busey's grandparents were Enoch and Elizabeth (Wilson) Bowen, both natives of Pennsylvania, and her great-grand- father, David Bowen, was born in Great Britain (either England or Wales). Her grandparents on the maternal side were John and Mary (Webber) Trawin, and her great-grandmother Sarah (Brett) Webber, all natives of England.
Mrs. Busey received her academic education at Vassar College, New York, and on Decem- ber 25, 1877, was married at Delphi, Ind., to Gen. Samuel T. Busey, of Urbana, Ill., where her life has since been passed. (See sketch of Gen Samuel T. Busey elewhere in this vol- ume). Mrs. Busey has had three children: Marietta Ruth, Bertha and Charles Bowen.
In church affiliation Mrs. Busey is a Presby-
terian, and in political views endorses the principles of the Republican party. At the November election, 1904, she was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of the Uni- versity of Illinois for a term of six years. Through the connection of her husband with the Union Army during the Civil War, she is identified with the patriotic orders of ""Dames
MARY E. BUSET.
of the Loyal Legion" and "Woman's Relief Corps," both organizations growing out of that great struggle, indicating her fidelity to the Union cause and her interest in the welfare of those who imperiled their lives in its defense.
COL. MATTHEW W. BUSEY, Sr., pioneer and founder of the Busey family in Champaign County, Ill., was born in Shelby County, Ky., May 15, 1798, the son of Samuel and Catherine (Seigler) Busey; removed at an early .date with his family to Washington County, Ind., where, in his youth, he learned the trade of brick-mason, which he followed, first as a "journeyman," and later as a contractor and builder from 1823 to 1847. Inheriting the fondness for fine stock so characteristic of na- tives of the "Blue Grass State," he was early attracted to the fertile prairies of Illinois, and
.
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
in 1832 visited the region now embraced within Champaign County, but then constituting a part of Vermilion County. Here he entered land from the Government on the site of what is now a part of the city of Urbana, but returning to Indiana remained there until 1836, when he removed with his family to Champaign County, and there became a leading citizen of the new county and that section of the State, through all his later years being espec- ially prominent in local affairs. While still a resident of Indiana he was commissioned as Colonel of the State Militia, and a few years
MATTHEW W. BUSEY, SR.
after coming to Illinois was appointed to a similar position in this State. A colonelcy of the State Militia in that day was a position of much prominence, and the general muster day was an occasion of much display in which the commanding officer of the regiment was the most conspicuous figure.
The prominence which Col. Busey had then acquired was indicated by his election in 1840 as Representative in the Twelfth General Assembly, to which he was re-elected two years later. In the meantime he had become, either by entry from the Government or by pur- chase from private owners, a large land holder,
including much of the land on which the west- ern portion of the City of Urbana and the east- ern part of the City of Champaign are located. He was an important factor in securing the location of the county-seat at Urbana, and still later in securing the charter for the Illinois Central Railroad, which contributed so much to the development of Champaign County, and the prosperity of its population. In addition to the office of Representative in the General Assembly, during the sixteen years of his resi- dence in Champaign County, he also held that of Assessor, and was recognized as the lead- ing and representative man of that section. His time was chiefly devoted to the improve- ment of his lands and the breeding of fine stock, in which he was a leader in that por- tion of the State.
While a resident of Washington County, Ind., Colonel Busey was married to Miss Elizabeth Bush, also a native of Shelby County, Ky., where she was born March 6, 1801. Eight children were the fruit of this union, namely: Simeon H., John S., Mary C. (wife of John C. Kirkpatrick), Louisa . J., Col. Samuel T., Sarah (who married Judge J. W. Sim), Eliza- beth (who married Allen McClain) and Mat- thew D .- all of whom were living in 1886, but a number of whom are now deceased. (See sketches of Simeon H., Samuel T., Matthew Wales and George W. Busey, and John C. Kirkpatrick, elsewhere in this volume.) Col- onel Busey died at his home in Urbana De- cember 13, 1852, his wife, who survived him twenty-eight years, dying in 1880 at the home of her son, Col. Samuel T. Busey.
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