WILLIAM H. BURNSIDE, one of the most substantial farmers in Schuyler county, resided on section 29, Buena Vista township. He was born in Bainbridge township, this State, on July 3, 1848, his parents being Thomas and Sarah J. (Henry) Burnside, natives of Ireland and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, respectively. The father of our subject was born in Ireland in 1816, coming to the United States when seventeen years of age. He was one of a family of six children, three sons and three daughters, named William, James, Thomas, Mary, Lillie and Margaret. On arriving in the United States, he went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he worked at the trade of cabinet maker, afterward going into business for himself in that city, but later lost everything, and in 1843 came to Illinois, a poor man. He worked for a time at his trade in Rushville, this State, and afterward engaged in farming, in which he was very successful, eventually becoming the owner of 345 acres of land, highly improved with good house and barns, the land being well cultivated and devoted to mixed farming. He died in 1876, his wife dying a few months previous. They had seven children: Lillie, who married Washington Lawler, of Woodstock township; William H., the subject of our sketch; Sarah, who resides on the homestead; Thomas, living in Buena Vista township; Robert, a resident of Bainbridge township; and Margaret, living on the homestead. The subject of our sketch was reared on a farm, and attended the country schools. He resided at home until 1883, when he located on the farm on which he now resides. This land he purchased in 1882, which then comprised 320 acres, to which he has since added fifty acres more, making altogether 370 acres of well improved land, which he now owns. He has erected good buildings, a residence and barns for grain and stock and other modern improvements, and has put his land under a high state of cultivation. Besides agriculture, he also raises stock principally short-horn cattle, in which latter pursuit he is very successful. He affiliates with the Republican party, but is now an office seeker, taking only such interest as all good citizens feel in the advancement and welfare of their native county and State. Beginning life with only such means as his father could spare from the care and support of a large family, he has by economy and thrift become one of the largest landowners and stock raisers of the county. Honest in dealings, courteous in manners and cordial to all, he enjoys the respect and esteem of the community and has a host of warm personal friends.
Biographical Review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois, Biographical Review Publishing Co., Chicago, 1892, page 361