From the LeMars Sentinel, LeMars, (Plymouth), Iowa, December 26, 1924:
IOWA PIONEER PASSES AWAY
G. W. Burrill Lived in State For More Than Seventy Years
FAMILY WERE PIONEERS
Was Farmer in Johnson Township in the Early Eighties
George W. Burrill, one of the early settlers of Plymouth county, died at his home, 321 Sixth Street SW, Tuesday evening at the great age of 89 years. Death was due to old age. Mr. Burrill had been crippled in his lower limbs for many years, but otherwise enjoyed good health. Last week he suffered an illness which developed symptoms of pneumonia and finally broke down the rugged health which he enjoyed during a long life.

He was devotedly attended to and waited upon during the past twelve years by his daughter, Miss Emma Burrill, following the death of his wife in 1913. George W. Burrill was born in Rochester*, New York, January 17, 1836, his parents emigrating to Canada from England in 1832 and in 1835 coming to America, settling in Rochester. [*Daughters Sarah Jane and Martha Agnes' delayed birth certificates indicate George was born in Albany, NY. Death certificate of son Robert indicates George was born in Rochester. George's death certificate indicates he was born in Rochester.]

Among First Settlers
The elder Burrill came to Iowa in 1846 and secured wild land in Dubuque county remaining there until 1884 when he came to Plymouth county and bought a farm in Liberty township, dying in 1892, at an advanced age. George W. Burrill grew up on the home farm on which he worked hard as a boy. He attended country school and when he attained man's estate he engaged in farming on his own account. In 1882 he came to Plymouth county and bought a quarter section farm in Johnson township, which land he improved and there carried on general farming for twenty years when he retired and came to LeMars to make his home. George Burrill was united in marriage in 1856 to Martha Austin, a native of County Doun (sic--Down), Ireland, from which place she came to the United States in 1849. Her death occurred in February 1913. To Mr. and Mrs. Burrill were born eleven children. Three sons and two daughters preceded their father in death. The children who mourn their father's death are: Mrs. Mary Urie, of Pocatello, Idaho; Geo. H.Burrill, of Fort Morgan, Colo.; Mrs. Sadie Brown, Woonsocket, S. D.; W. W. Burrill, of Akron; Mrs. Agnes Hinde, Forrestburg (sic--Forestburg), S. D.; Miss Emma Burrill, of LeMars. There are living thirty grandchildren and twenty-six great grandchildren.

Mr. Burrill was well known to all the older settlers in this county and was highly respected in the community. Although forced to live the life of a recluse in later days, he kept in touch with affairs and always gladly welcomed friends and visitors to his home and took a wholesome interest in the community and its doings. The funeral will be held from the family residence at 1:00 o'clock Friday afternoon, Rev. Hills officiating.

Information from the LeMars Memorial Cemetery burial records:
Name: Geo. W. Burrill
Marital Status: Widower
Place of death: LeMars, Iowa
Date of birth: January 17, 1836
Age at time of death: 88 years, 11 months, 6 days
Place of birth: New York
Father: Geo. Burrill
Father's place of birth: England
Mother: Mary Downing (possibly Dolan/Dowrely or Dourely)
Mother's place of birth: Ireland
Occupation: Retired farmer
Informant: Emma Burrill (daughter)
Date of death: December 23, 1924
Cause of death: Erysipelas, Pneumonia
Location of burial: Block 12, Lot 21
Date of burial: December 26, 1924