From various parts of the Hoosier state good citizens have come to Clinton county and established permanent homes. Very few, comparatively speaking, have cared to move back to where they came from or to some other locality, having found here all that they desired to make life worth living. This has been especially true with farmers, for here they have found as fine a soil as the state affords and good roads and railroad facilities, in fact, all that goes to make a civilized community. One of these gentlemen who is deserving of special notice here is John H. Burford, for many years a successful merchant, now farming in Owen township.
Mr. Burford was born October 3, 1849, in Harrison county, Indiana, on the Ohio river. He is a son of Cary and Ann (SHIELD) BURFORD. The father was born April 5, 1806, in Kentucky, and as a child, went with his parents to Floyd county, Indiana, where he grew to manhood. He married in Harrison county, Indiana. Later he moved there and engaged in the mercantile business. He subsequently moved to Illinois where he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1879. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born in Tennessee, February 22, 1806, near the city of Nashville. Cary Burford devoted most of his life to the mercantile business with success. Politically he was a Democrat up to 1861, after that was a Republican. His family consisted of twelve children: Mary Jane, Catherine C., Margaret P., Elizabeth and Marion, all deceased, and Jessie M., Carrie S., Nancy H., William T., and James C., all living. The eleventh child died in infancy unnamed. John H., of this sketch is the youngest.
John H. Burford received a common school education. On November 23, 1880, he married Martha MERRIFIELD, who was born December 12, 1849, in McLean county, Illinois. She is a daughter of Ortha and Providence (CONOWAY) MERRIFIELD. She spent her girlhood in Illinois and received a common school education.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burford: Ortha R., born September 16, 1883, now assisting his father in operating the home farm; and Clara C., born in 1887.
Mr. Burford began life for himself in the mercantile business, which he followed with very gratifying results for about twelve years, but for some time he has been devoting his attention exclusively to general farming and stock raising. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable and well improved land in Section 11, Owen township, all tillable but fifteen acres, which is in woods. He built part of his home and all his buildings are substantial and convenient. He keeps a good grade of livestock. Feeding large numbers of cattle and Duroc hogs. He is very comfortably fixed and owns a standard make, five-passenger automobile. Politically he is a Progressive, and is an intelligent voter, keeping well informed on current events.