Edward Burr was born in Middlesex county, Conn., December 24, 1814. And died at his home near Durham in Hancock county, Ill., June 11, 1895, at the age of 80 years, 5 months and 17 days.
He was married to Julia A. Wilcox in the year 1836. Came to Illinois in 1839 and settled in this county where he has spent fifty-six years. He is the father of seven children: two sons and five daughters. Johnathan E. who was with him during his last hours; Julia C. whose home is in Iowa; Esther A. whose home is in Oregon; Orpha D. who resides in Neb.; Emily C. whose home is in Neb.; Dennis V. who died in the year 1880 and Oscar H. with whom he made his home.
Uncle Edward Burr has lived on the farm where he died since the year 1851. He is the father of seven children the grandfather of thirty-four and the great grandfather of twelve.
He united with the M.E. church when a young man in the year 1837 and has been a faithful Christian man. He has experienced entire sanctification for the last twenty-five years; that experience beginning with a beautiful vision during an illness when he seemed to be for a short time absent from the body and present with the Lord.
A short time before his death he called the family around him and bade them good-bye, asking God's blessing upon them. On Sunday evening before he died when his pastor bade him good-bye he raised his eyes toward heaven saying, "All is well! All is well! I think I'll soon be home. Good-bye my brother."
His funeral sermon was preached by his pastor, Rev. W.F. Dudman in the Durham church to a large and attentive audience from the text "Be ye therefore ready also; for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not" Luke 12:40. Thus another of our old standard bearers has laid down the cross and received the immortal crown.