William Wallace the oldest child of George W. and Delilah Burroughs, was born at Lafayette, Ind., September 10, 1851. He was educated in the schools of his native city. He was married on January 2, 1872 to Miss Sophronie Ellen Julien. Miss Julien was the daughter of Alexander and Martha A. Julien and was born July 28, 1856, at Shannondale, Ind.
In 1881 Mr. Burroughs was appointed Deputy County Clerk of Tippecanoe County, Ind. So faithfully and with such ability did he discharge his duties that he was continued in this office until his death, a period of thirty years.
The following obituary of Mr. Burroughs, printed in the Lafayette Morning Journal of August 10, 1910, gives so full a record of his life that we give it in full:
William W. Burroughs, who spent almost a life time at the clerk's desk in the circuit court room, died at 10:50 o'clock last night at the family residence, 1308 North Sixteenth Street. He had been ill since last Thanksgiving, but there was a brief rally during the holidays and he returned to his desk for two or three days. He was ambitious and resolute, but his return to work was too great a tax upon his strength and he was compelled to return to his home. He had been troubled by valvular disease of the heart for several years and this was followed by a dropsical affection. He was not confined to his bed all the time, but there were intervals of collapse when it was thought the end would come at any moment. He possessed great vitality and these collapses were followed by rallies that gave encouragement. He would recuperate so much that he was able to sit on the porch or on the lawn and enjoy the sunshine of early summer. There were times when he gave up hope, but there were other times when he felt sure that he would some day conquer disease and return to his desk at the court house. His inability to work caused him more worry than his physical suffering. Four or five days ago he lost consciousness and remained in that condition until the end came.
Mr. Burroughs was born in Lafayette on September 10, 1851. He was a son of the late George W. Burroughs, long a prominent citizen, and was one of a large family. His mother is still living and is making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Maude Lane, in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Burroughs obtained an ordinary education in the Lafayette schools and then enlisted in the United States navy, serving four years as a seaman. He saw some active service in operations against smugglers on the west coast of Mexico and visited many ports. After leaving the navy he traveled extensively through the west. He was married in this city in 1873 to Miss Sophronia Julian, who survives with four children, namely: Miss Zoelah M. Burroughs, supervisor of art in the city schools; Mrs. W. Loraine Batt, of Philadelphia, and William and Jean Burroughs, both students.
Mr. Burroughs was an enthusiastic republican and made one race for the nomination for county clerk, an office with whose duties he had long been familiar, but never filled an elective office. He served by appointment for thirty years as deputy county clerk, most of the time as clerk of the circuit court, and was so invaluable in that capacity that he was not distrusted by either judge or county clerk when changes were made in those offices. He was familiar with every form of court work, was faithful, reliable and conscientious in the discharge of his duties and enjoyed the confidence and respect of every attorney at the bar. He was always cheerful, always agreeable, always accommodating, and his courteous manner and complete mastery of legal detail made him a great favorite and indispensable. His knowledge of probate matters was acquired by long service and was remarkable. Mr. Burroughs was fond of music and played several instruments. He was a member of different musical organizations and was connected with different drum corps and bands. He took an active part in political demonstrations and did much social playing. He was a great lover of nature and established a summer home on the island in the river opposite the Trail. Canoeing was one of his delights and he spent a part of each summer in camp and on the river. He was well read and well informed and was an agreeable companion. Mr. Burroughs' splendid character and nature was best revealed in his home. He worshipped his family and they worshipped him. He lived alone for their happiness. His home was his castle and he made it as beautiful and happy as possible. He used the magic of music and flowers to hold the love of his family and it was a privilege to share the hospitality of his home. Mr. Burroughs was a member of the First Baptist church and was secretary of the Brotherhood of that church. He was a member of the Imperial council No. 316, Royal Arcanum, and the Court of Honor. He was one of the best known men in the city and had a large circle of friends. People were won to him by his splendid traits of character and there was no more highly esteemed man in Lafayette. He lived in such a way that he will always be remembered.
The following tribute to the memory of William Wallace Burroughs was written by his daughter, Miss Zoelah M. Burroughs:
IN APPRECIATION OF MY FATHER
Over the pages of by-gone years, My heart turns back tonight; Back to the lispings of babyhood, Warm in the home fire-light.
I hear the strains of a soft guitar, And a lullaby voice singing low, Tender and sweet with the father love For the baby of long ago.
"This way to dreamland, little one!" At dark or in sunshines's glow, Always the voice and the love led on To the land that the fairies know.
I hear the thrush's song, the bullfrog's bass, The ripple of water clear, The quiet patter of summer rain, The wind so far, so near.
But now the thrush is a lady fair, The waters sing in tune, The speckled frog is a fiddler quaint, Who plays to the yellow moon.
There's a whisper of elfins among the leaves, And a fairy you cannot see Lives down in the dark of the old guitar, The voice and the love tell me.
The beautiful world of the child who passed Through the years of yesterday, Still glows with the light and the love of the voice Whose magic will always stay.
And somehow the smiles of the little child Who lives now, will sweeter be, Because of the voice and the love which sang In the years that are past to me.
Greenbush Cemetery, Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., Indiana Plot: section 6, lot 439
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