BROWN COUNTY, OHIO
OHGenWeb Project
Johnathan R. BURRIS
submitted by Jim McCune
"Life's race well run,
life's work well done,
life's crown well won.
Now comes rest."
In the Providence of God another of his children has "crossed the great divide and passed into twilight's purple gloom." Johnathan R. Burris, son of Mary Jane Marquis and Samuel M. Burris, who served with distinction in the Civil War, was born December 4, 1859 and departed this life May 21, 1928, aged 68 years, 6 months and 17 days.
At an early age, he displayed an interest in books and an aptitude for learning beyond that of the average child. To this fact is attributed his youthful decision to devote his life to the profession of teaching-a profession which in its possibilities for noble service to mankind, is second only to the ministry of the word of God. At the age of sixteen he taught his first school. And thereafter for twenty years his time and talent were given to that particular work. However, confident in the school room and the excessive drain of nervous energy, took their toll and he was forced to give up his work in the school room for the freerer and more active life of the farm.
To the farm he brought his interest in books, a love of nature, as broad and sympathetic understanding of men and a deep determination, which had always characterized his life, to succeed. And with such endowments with which to begin work in his newly chosen field, it is not strange that he easily became the most eminently successful farmer in the community in which he lived.
In the year 1881 he was married to Mary Jane McCall. To this union were born four daughters-Daisy May, Lillie Evaline, Anna Pearl and Rachel Elizabeth. Daisy May departed this life at the tender age of four and was soon followed by her mother. Heavily the blow had fallen upon the father. To his three small children he now assumed the responsibilites of both father and mother and with renewed courage, kept the little family circle unbroken, save for his wife and daughter.
Later in life he married Mary Elizabeth Kellum. and it is the testimony of his only surviving child that she was a kind and affectionate wife and took a deep interest in the further mothering and rearing his children. She departed this life, January 11, 1920. In the meantime the father had sustained other losses from the family circle-- in 1911, the eldest daughter, Lillie Evaline, wife of J.V.Richey; in 1914, the youngest daughter, Anna Pearl, wife of R.E. Shively.
"The mossy marbles rest on the lips that he has pressed in their bloom;
and the names he loved to hear have been carved for many a year on thee tomb."
Thus far in his life, the hand of affliction had rested heavily on him whose gain is our loss. Like Job of old, however, his abiding faith in a "divinity that shapes our ends rough hew them how we will," sustained him. He never doubted but that the sun could pierce "the thickest could earth ever stretched; that what began best, can't end worst, nor God blessed once prove accurst."
Mr. Burris is survived by one daughter, Rachel Elizabeth Schneider of Hamersville, Ohio; thirteen grandchildren; two great grandchildren; one sister, Alice Pitzer, of Hamersville, Ohio; two brothers, Cornelius E. Burris of Mt. Orab, Ohio and Jasper E. Burris, of New York; one aged aunt, Millie Davis, of Mt. Orab, Ohio; and one uncle, Nelson Marquis, of Chicago, Ill. These together with a host of friends, mourn their loss.
After assuming the responsibilites incident to farming, the life of Mr. Burris was devoted entirely to that activity with one exception. For eight years he served as Superintendent of the Brown County Infirmary. Experienced in farming and in the fine art of peaceful contact with others, his administration of this office was most economic and efficient. He was a member of the local C.U.A.M., by which organization his wise and timely counsel will be greatly missed.
Mr. Burris was a man of whom it could truly be said, " He was gentle and the elements so mixed in him that all the world could stand up and say this is a man." In all his views he was broad and tolerant. He found no fault with others, even though they held opinions widely divergent from his own. He was sympathetic and generous to a fault.
In the hour of their need, he was a friend to all, as many can testify. From him who would borrow he turned not away. Successful in business beyond the lot of most men, he was yet unlike many, liberal with his means. He gave freely to the various churches. For charity and for every laudable undertaking he unstintedly did his part. His philosophy of life may be summed up in this brief sentence; namely,"If you live right you die right."
Consequently, not only will his family miss him, but he will be sorely missed by the entire community in which he lived. But seldom does a man of the type of Johnathan R. Burris travel along the highway of life. When he does, however, his fellow men become at once aware of an unusual presence. And when that presence, weary with weight of years and the tolls and cares of life, sinks to rest by the wayside, the loss is keenly felt by those whose lot it is to journey on for yet a little while. But be it remembered that their loss is his gain.
"There is no death! The stars go down to rise up again on some fairer shore.
And the bright in Heaven's jeweled crown they shine for evermore.
There is no death! The leaves may fall; The flowers may fade and pass away, they only wait through wintry hours the coming of May.
There is no death! An angel form walks o'er the earth with silent tread; He bears our dear loved ones away and then we call them-dead.
He leaves out hearts all desolate- he plucks our fairest, sweetest flowers; transplanted into bliss, they now adorn immortal bowers"
CARD OF THANKS
We wish to express our heart-felt thanks to our friends and neighbors for their assistance and sweet consolation during the sickness and death of our dear father and grandfather.
Elizabeth Schneider and children
Yolanda Campbell Lifter, Brown County Coordinator
Copyright © 2005-2006 Yolanda Campbell Lifter
This site may be freely linked to but not duplicated in any fashion without my consent.