|
Genealogy Leads & Misc.
Information
Burris Family of Newcomerstown
Veteran’s History Project
by Mitchell L. Wise
The following is a family history study of the Jeremiah Burris
family of Newcomerstown, Ohio. The purpose behind this study was
to create a historical newspaper article for the Newcomerstown
News for the Veteran’s Day issue in November 2005. I am not
personally related to this family. Italicized words are my own
to help clarify the information provided.
After
38 Years the Remains of Jeremiah Burris
Are Brought Home and
Interred
Newcomerstown News:
January 24, 1900
-
About 38 years ago a chapter of local history was begun which
was just finished yesterday. The chapter began with the opening
of the civil war and closed with the closing of the grave in the
Newcomerstown cemetery over the remains of Comrade Jeremiah
Burris of Co. B, 80th O.V. I. (Ohio Volunteer Infantry)
In October, 1861, John A. Burris of this city (Newcomerstown),
and his father, Jeremiah Burris, enlisted in Co. B., 80th O.V.I.
On the 28th day of August, 1862, while encamped at Camp
Sullivan, near Jacinto, Miss. The elder Burris died of disease
actually falling from his feet and aspiring. This camp was
considerable distance from the railroad and as it was only a few
days previous to the battle of Corinth it was necessary to bury
the remains in camp.
The body was therefore taken in the woods, just in front of the
camp, and the son and friends performed the last rites over it
and gave it burial there. The son at the time procured a large
wine bottle and writing an inscription on a piece of paper,
inserted it in the bottle and buried the same at the head of the
grave as a means of identification at some future date.
Last October, Mr. Burris, accompanied by his brother, Lee, of
Columbus, went to Missippi (Mississippi) and endeavored to
locate the grave. They found the camp almost obliterated with
trees of many years growth covering it. The spot was located
however, and they spent several days searching for the grave.
They were unsuccessful at the time, and after digging over a
large area they left and returned home. Near the place they were
digging resided an old soldier by the name of J. C. Yarber, and
he promised to continue the hunt for the remains, and the
gentlemen left their addresses. This man’s efforts were rewarded
and last week word was received that he had discovered the grave
and that it was within forty yards of where they first began
digging.
The remains were shipped to columbus by express were brought to
this city Saturday night, accompanied by Lee T. Burris and wife,
L. F. Shull, wife and son of Columbus, and G. W. Burris, another
son of Gahanna, O. Tuesday afternoon the remains were reinterred
in the Newcomerstown cemetery, and now rest by the side of those
of his wife (Margaret Pope).
John A. Burris:
Another Veteran Called by
Death
Newcomerstown News:
February 1, 1922
-
The death of John A. Burris which occurred at his home in
Newcomerstown, Tuesday evening, January 24th, marks the passing
of an honored veteran of the Civil War, a man of sterling
qualities and a citizen whose activities in civic matters earned
him a wide and favorable acquaintance throughout this section.
He was a Republican in politics and stood high in councils of
his party, having had the opportunity at different times during
his life of serving the public in various capacities, among
which were County Commissioner, Mayor and Postmaster of
Newcomerstown.
He had been a member of the Methodist Protestant church and S.
M. Neighbor Post G.A.R. for years, and was a charter member of
the Odd Fellows order. For many years he succeeded himself from
year to year as superintendent of the M. P. Sunday-school, and
filled many official positions in all three societies.
John Andrew Burris was a native of Coshocton county, Ohio and
was born Aug. 12, 1846. He was the son of Jeremiah and Margaret
(Pope) Burris. Mr. Burris enlisted in Co. B, 18th O.V.I.
(discrepancy – should be 80th O.V.I.) Oct. 4, 1861, and was
discharged in August, 1865.
On October 4, 1871, he was married to Josephine Gardner of this
city. To this union, were born four children, two of whom are
living, Mrs. Lena B. Yingling and Miss Anne J. Burris, both of
Columbus, Ohio. The deceased children are Charles and A. Burris,
both of whom died in infancy. October 11, 1900 he was united in
marriage with Kathryn Louise Rabe of Lancaster, O. Two children
were born as a result of this union, Mary Kathryn of the home
and John Jr. of Columbus.
Besides the wife and the four children who survive, he leaves
two sisters and two brothers – Mrs. L. F. Shull and Mr. I. V.
Burris of Lutz, Fla., Mrs. W. W. Norris and Mr. L. T. Burris of
Westerville, O. Funeral services were held from the late home on
East Canal Street Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. l C.
Momberg assisted by Rev. M. L. Oliver.
-----
I also found out that
George W. Burris also fought for Co. B. He was Jeremiah Burris's
older son and J. A. Burris' brother. He joined the 80th August
7th, 1862 and mustered out in 1865 in Washington D.C. He,
evidently, had some connection with Otterbein College. He is
listed on a monument at that college. I found the following
information on the Otterbein website:
George Washington Burris
by Bethany Warthen
http://www.otterbein.edu/home/fac/SRHEFTHR/index2.html
George Washington Burris (or G.W. Burress) was born to Mr. and
Mrs. Jeremiah Burris on December 1, 1840. He was born and raised
in Delaware and Coshocton counties. Before enrolling in the army
in 1862, George worked on the family farm. At the age 22, he
entered the army for a term of three years service. He became a
solider in the 80th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company B,
organized at Camp Meigs, near Canal Dover in Tuscarawas County.
He enrolled in the army along with his father, Jerermiah and his
brother John. Both his father and brother served for almost a
year before George joined them at Camp Sullivan. During George's
tenure in the war, his regiment took part in several conflicts,
including battles at Corinth, Raymond and Jackson, Mississippi,
the siege of Vicksburg, and battles at Salkahatache, SC, and
Bentonville, NC. He completed his military career during
Sherman's March to the Sea. He was mustered out on May 29, 1865
in Washington, D.C. by the War Department. During the war, the
highest rank he reached was corporal.
Upon returning from the war, George married Mary E. Coder on
February 21, 1867 in Coshocton County. In 1869, they had a son
named Landon. According to the 1870 census on Linton Township,
George owned real estate valued at $600 and his personal estate
was worth $200. During the 1870s, he worked as a store clerk and
his wife worked as a homemaker. In addition to their son Landon,
I believe Mary's younger sister Tammy may have lived in their
home as well. George died on October 2, 1911. He is buried in
Burnside Cemetery located in Genoa Township. At some point G.W.
Burris was affiliated with Otterbein College. Although his name
appears on the monument in front of Towers, his name does not
appear on the roster of students. This leads me to believe that
he was neither a student or a faculty member. It is possible
that he was employed by the university, but again I was unable
to locate any information that substantiates this claim.
Bibliography
Coshocton County. Marriage Records 1811-1930. Coshocton Public
Library.
Ohio Census Report 1870. Linton Twp. Coshocton County.
Microfilm. Big Walnut Library. Series 11. Roll 85.
Ohio Death Certificate # 52890. Microfilm. Ohio Historical
Society.
Roster of Soldiers: Civil War 1861-1865. Volume 6. Microfilm.
Ohio Historical Society.
Whitelaw, Reid. Ohio in the War-Volume II. Cincinnati: Wilstach
& Baldwin, 1868.
|
 |
