Biographical and Genealogical History of Morris County New Jersey. Illustrated. Vol. II., Lewis Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1899.
Mr. Burroughs was born in Madison, in 1831, a son of Caleb C. Burroughs, also a native of the same town, born in 1799. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Benjamin Burroughs, settled in Morris county prior to the war of the Revolution, and bore his part in the readjustment of public interests to the republican form of government. He aided in the development and progress of the county, followed agricultural pursuits as a life work, and met his death by being run over by an ox-cart. He had a family of four children, namely: Lucetta, Caleb C, Amzi and Hannah.
The father of our subject, Caleb C. Burroughs, was reared on the home farm until about sixteen years of age, when he abandoned the plow and went to Elizabethtown to learn the cabinet-maker's trade under the direction of Elihu Britton, his apprenticeship covering a period of five years. On attaining his majority he returned to Madison, where he followed cabinet-making and undertaking. He was one of the leading business men of the community and was prominent in public affairs. He married Miss Hannah Carter, a daughter of Captain Luke Carter, who commanded a company in the war of 1S12. Captain Carter was a representative of one of the old families of the county. He married a Miss Pierson and their children were: Charles; George Christie; Hannah; Emeline, wife of Louis M. Browning; and Sarah Ann, wife of Elias R. Bruen.
For many years Caleb C. Burroughs served as deacon in the Presbyterian church and was very active and influential in its work. To Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Burroughs were born six children, as follows: Martha C, deceased wife of William Beach; Henry A., who was married in the south and resides in Indian Head, Maryland; Sarah E.; Edwin P.; Timothy D., of Madison; and John R. F., who is also living in the south. Mr. Burroughs died in 1885, and his wife passed away in 1880.
In the public schools of Madison Mr. Burroughs acquired his education and was trained in the habits and methods of the business world under the direction of his father. When he had attained his majority he was admitted as a partner into the cabinet-making and undertaking business which his father owned and controlled, the firm name of C. C. Burroughs & Son being assumed. This connection was continued until the death of the senior member of the firm, since which time Edwin P. Burroughs has been sole proprietor of a well appointed furniture store and undertaking establishment. This is the oldest enterprise of the kind in Madison and the most reliable. He carries a large and well selected stock of goods, which he sells at reasonable prices, and from the public he receives a liberal patronage.
Mr. Burroughs was married in 1859, the lady of his choice being Miss Susan B. Pierson, a native of New Jersey and a daughter of David and Sally Ann (Scofield) Pierson. Her father was a railroad contractor in early life and afterward gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Burroughs have one child, Preston A., born in 1880. They hold membership in the Presbyterian church, take a very active part in its work and have done much to promote its interests. Mr. Burroughs is now serving as elder, having occupied that position for a number of years. He has also served as township committeeman, and by his ballot supports the principles of the Republican party.
Timothy D. Burroughs, a brother of the gentleman whose name heads this review, was born in 1835, and at the age of sixteen years began clerking, which occupation he followed until after the inauguration of the Civil war, when he entered his country's service, enlisting on the 2d of October, 1861, as a member of Company K, Seventh New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. He served with the Army of the Potomac and participated in all its engagements from Williamsburg until the close of the war. He went to the front as a corporal, but in 1862 was promoted to the rank of sergeant and in 1864 was made quartermaster sergeant. In May, 1865, the south having been conquered, he was honorably discharged.
When the war was over Mr. Burroughs returned to Morristown, where he engaged in the dry-goods business until 1875, when he removed to New York, and entered into business relations with the firm of Conklin & Chivis, an association that was maintained for twelve years, when Mr. Burroughs retired to private life. He was married in 1874 to Miss Susan Harley, of Jersey City, and to them was born one child, now deceased. The mother died in 1878. Mr. Burroughs is a member of A. T. A. Torbert Post, No. 24, G. A. R. and in his political views is a Republican.
Transcribed by Brianne Kelly-Bly