John P. Burrough (1858-1940)

BURROUGH

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/15/2023 at 22:38:14

John Pym Burrough
(May 11, 1858 - April 10, 1940)

The history of John Pym Burrough, if written in detail, would read like a romance, so varied have been his experiences and widely has he traveled. He has visited many sections of the globe and is familiar with the manners and customs of the peoples of the islands of the seas and of certain districts of Asia and Europe. He has also touched upon the African shores and has traveled quite widely over the North American continent as well as over Great Britain. He is one of England's native sons, his birth having occurred in Somersetshire, on the 11th of May 1858. He is a descendant of Sir William Pym, who was one of the distinguished generals of Cromwell's army. His father, John Burrough, was born in England in 1815, was a farmer by occupation and spent his entire life in his native land. He was accidentally killed by a horse, May 15, 1864. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rachel Hill, was born in England about 1831, and is now living there in her eighty-first year. In their family were ten children: Jane, now deceased; William and James, who are living in England; Jennie, who has also passed away; Hannah, the wife of Harry Meaker of England; Ellen, the wife of Walker White, of the "merrie isle"; John, of this review: Emily R., the wife of John Keene, of Somersetshire, England; Edith Elizabeth, the wife of John Bonwell, of Tara, Webster County, Iowa, a stockdealer and hotel proprietor; and Mrs. Harriet Hooper, of England.
John Pym Burrough pursued his early education in the public schools and afterward attended the Western College, near Bath, Somersetshire, where he pursued a scientific course and was graduated in the class of 1873. Through the summer months he worked on the home farm and after his graduation he returned to the farm, where he remained until twenty-two years of age, when feeling his life hampered by the confines of the farm and wishing to see more of the world, he left for London. From the metropolis he sailed for South Africa and spent three months in Cape Colony. Through the succeeding nine months he was in South Australia. He visited near the battlefield of Majuba Hill, where an engagement was fought between the British troops and the Boers. From South Australia Mr. Burrough removed to Melbourne, in Victoria, but after two weeks spent in that city, went to Tasmania, remaining for two weeks in Hubertown. He next went to New Zealand, spending about four months in traveling all over the southern part of the island. Proceeding to the Fiji islands, he there remained for about a month, after which be returned to Melbourne and traveled throughout the Victoria colony, taking in every point of interest. Again going to South Australia he traveled for the Australian government for fourteen months and two weeks, visiting all sections from New South Wales to the coast. When that time had elapsed Mr. Burrough started for Egypt, but the ship on which he took passage caught fire in mid-ocean seven hundred and fifty miles from land. The captain asked for volunteers and everybody on board aided in throwing the cargo overboard and subduing the fire. The ship was then overhauled and they set sail for Arabia, proceeding thence to the Suez canal and on to Squakin on the frontier, where a military engagement took place. At this point they remained for about two weeks and Mr. Burrough saw many men shot at that point. The next point to which the troops proceeded was Tilikibi, where a battle was fought under the hill, after which the journey was resumed to Port Said, where our subject remained for two days. At Naples, Italy, he was quarantined because of cholera and lay right under Mount Vesuvius. Proceeding to the Rock of Gibraltar and to Plymouth, England, Mr. Burrough continued on his way to his old home, where he remained for about two months. Again setting out upon his travels about 1885, Mr. Burrough went to Bristol, thence to Glasgow and on to Derbyshire, Berkshire and Liverpool, where he remained for about six weeks, after which he went to a point about thirty miles north of London, returning thence to Berkshire, Wiltshire and then to Somersetshire. When a month had passed he again left home and emigrated to America about 1886, landing in New York, and after two days proceeding to Michigan. A month later he went to Ontario, Canada, where he spent four months. He was for three weeks in Detroit, Michigan, and then decided to return to Canada. Buying a ticket he proceeded half way when he suddenly formed a resolution to abandon that plan and took a train for Chicago, where he remained for two weeks. He next went to Libertyville, Lake County, Illinois, where he spent a year and a half, after which he returned to Canada, and at Chatham purchased a team and wagon and tent, with which he started on a traveling expedition, making his way through upper Canada. On again reaching Chatham he bought a livery barn, conducting it for a time. While residing there he underwent three different surgical operations. One was performed because of an abscess on the lungs, by Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, and to the skill of the noted author, Mr. Burrough owes his life. As soon as well enough, Mr. Burrough returned home to his mother, for she had never expected to see him alive again. He remained in England for about two and a half years and then again came to the United States, landing at New York, whence he proceeded westward to Chicago and then to Libertyville, Illinois, living in that place for about six months. He attended the World's Columbian Exposition, taking in every interesting exhibit, and then left for Moore County, Mississippi, to visit his sister, Mrs. Bonwell. Soon afterward he took up his abode in Chickasaw County, Iowa, where he lived for about three years, dealing extensively in stock. On the expiration of that period he went to Murray County, Minnesota, spending the summer in visiting, after which he made his way to Webster County, Iowa, and was engaged in working on the Illinois Central Railroad. Going south to Des Moines, he spent two weeks in that city and then removed to Colfax, Jasper County, Iowa, where he entered into partnership with Seth Macy, in the cattle business, a business relation that was maintained for three years, the firm being known as Macy & Burrough. Coming to Knierim he was among the first to locate at this point, erected a livery barn, and in December, 1901, he went to Des Moines, but after a short time he returned to this place, where he is now located. Mr. Burrough was reared in the Episcopal church and still holds membership in that church. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He still owns land in his home county in England and his livery barn and one lot in Knierim. Broad have been his travels and varied his experiences. Possessing an observing eye and retentive memory, his mind is now well stored with many interesting incidents concerning his journeys, and he is a most entertaining conversationalist, having broad knowledge gleaned as he has passed from place to place, from country to country and from continent to continent. [Source - Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.528]