My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Putnam County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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E. L. Burrill, proprietor of the Barnum Hotel, is a native of Maine, and was born March 4, 1836, and in early childhood accompanied his parents to Massachusetts, locating in Lowell. At the age of nine he went to New Hampshire, and was there reared by his relatives upon a farm. In 1857 he immigrated west to Springfield, Ill., and served as fireman on the Great Western Railroad, between Naples and the Indiana State line. He worked on this road thirteen years, part of the time being passenger conductor, which position he afterward filled upon the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad nine years. He then worked on the Wabash & Grand Trunk Railroad in that capacity eight years, and then opened the Trenton House, at Trenton, Mo., August 16, 1886. He ran this until July 11, 1887, at which date he took charge of the Barnum Hotel, which he is now conducting. In 1864 he was united in marriage to Helen Conant, a native of Michigan, by whom one son and two daughters have been born. He is a worthy member of the F. & A. M., A. O. U. W., and O. R. C. Our subject’s great-grandfather, Patrick, immigrated to America from Scotland. The paternal grandfather died in Maine, and Stephen D., E. L.’s father, was a native of Maine, but lived in Lowell, Mass., where he died. Olivia (Hall) Burrill, the mother of our subject, was born in New Hampshire, and died at Lowell, Mass. His maternal grandfather, John Hall, was wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill, and died in Maine. Mr. Burrill is one of six children, four sons and two daughters, all living. Cyrus W. and also his brother S. D., were in the United States naval service during that time on board a man of war. John is the other brother.

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This family biography is one of 139 biographies included in the Putnam County, Missouri portion of the book,  The History of Adair, Sullivan, Putnam, and Schuyler Counties, Missouri published in 1888 by Goodspeed Publishing Co.  For the complete description, click here: Putnam County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Putnam County, Missouri family biographies here: Putnam County, Missouri Biographies

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