My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS A. BURNS, attorney at law; Versailles, Ohio; is a native of Ohio, born in Champaign Co. on the 18th day of October, 1836; his father, H. Z. Burns, and his mother Anna, emigrated from Loudoun Co., Va., in 1830; they were well educated and sought no other fortune for themselves and children than education; his father died early in life, leaving the widow with the care of four small children; Thomas being the oldest boy, the care of the family fell heavily upon the mother and him; he struggled on through circumstances that were anything but genial to his aspiring nature; in the common schools he obtained the rudiments of an English education, and from his mother a little knowledge of German and Latin; farming and teaching school were his occupations until the sound of the war trumpet in 1861; and on the 9th day of May, he with others was assigned to the 13th O. V. I. which regiment was then over-full, and they at once re-enlisted in Co. A, 66th O. V. I., of fighting fame; having held the various non-commissioned offices, he was then commissioned First Lieutenant, and in a short time he was commissioned a Captain, and took command of Co. E, 194th O. V. I., where he served till he was mustered out with his regiment on the 4th day of November, 1865, having served four years six months and twenty-five days; he at once commenced the study of law with Hon. Charles Morris, of Troy, Ohio, and was admitted to the Bar March 8, 1868. On the 26th day of December, 1867, he celebrated his marriage with Miss R. L., daughter of Hon. George Anderson, of Piqua, Ohio, and in March, 1870, he moved to Versailles, Darke Co.; he has acquired a good practice in law; he has traveled throughout the United States, been a close observer of human nature, strictly temperate in all his habits, giving much study and attention to his professional and other scientific books, and has made the most of limited opportunities. A loving wife and four bright children make up his happy home at Versailles, Ohio.