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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of Rev. William BURGESS 

Pages 304-305, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: BURGESS, MILES, TAYLOR] 

    
REV. WILLIAM BURGESS, Pastor of the Congregational Church, Canton. While there are many avenues by which mental ability leads to distinction, there is scarcely one of more benefit to humanity as a family, than that of caring for the immortal soul. A pastor's duty entails upon him a great deal of responsibility, for not only must he guide people safely through the shoals of this world, but prepare them for a safe passage into the unknown world. Among the men who have labored early and late to accomplish this purpose, and to be of inestimable benefit to frail humanity, ranks the Rev. William Burgess. 
    
Our subject was ushered into life at Norwich, England, on May 26, 1843, being the son of William and Elizabeth (Taylor) Burgess. The father died when our subject was only nine years of age, and thus he is a self-made man in the true sense of that term. Being very desirous of entering the ministry, he was aided in the accomplishment of this ambition by a philanthropic gentleman of his native place. Dr. Burgess, after completing his education and being fully prepared to preach the Gospel as a Methodist minister, suddenly discovered when in his twentieth year, that he could not entirely agree with this denomination in their doctrines, and so renounced for a time the idea of preaching. 
    
Our subject upon reaching his twenty-first year began a lecturing tour through the United Kingdom, preaching social reform and temperance, and also giving extensive lectures upon historical subjects. For a period of seventeen years he continued to lecture, in the meantime contributing to several journals in England, and in 1875, became the founder and editor of the Medical Enquirer, at Liverpool. The chief object was to resist the thought of necessary vice, and he was unusually well qualified to discuss this great question in all its manifold aspects. When the end was accomplished the publication ceased after a three year's run. It had a free distribution and was supported by several wealthy men. Its effect was to repeal the law which it antagonized, the late disclosures in the Pall Mall Gazette being brought about by the agitation and by the efforts of the Medical Enquirer. A leading paper in speaking of the Rev. Burgess as a lecturer, says, "He has a pleasant and attractive appearance, is a bright, ready and lively speaker, has a clear ringing voice and commands the attention of his audience at the beginning. His delivery is good, his manner earnest, and he handles his subject as one perfectly at home." 
    
The subject of our sketch moved with his family to America in September, 1880, locating at Toronto. His first act was to found the Canada Citizen, a reform paper which is still running. After taking charge of said paper for about two years, he sold out his interest in same and accepted a call to the ministry. After being ordained pastor of the Congregational Church at Listowel, Ontario, he published a book called "Land, Labor and Liquor." Our subject remained in charge of that church until January 1888, and in 1890, he came to Canton, Ill,, and is pastor of the First Congregational Church in this city. He is editing a paper, The Church Bells. 
    
Rev. Mr. Burgess's mother died in Liverpool at an advanced age, the father having died many years before as above stated. They were the parents of five children, of whom our subject is the eldest. The others are, Edward, editor of a paper called Daylight, a radical sheet published in Norwich, England; Amelia, Lydia and Emma, the latter of whom is deceased. 
    
Mr. Burgess was married in Norwich in 1865, to Miss Frances A. Miles, a native of that town. To them have been born eight children, viz: William Edward, parliamentary correspondent of the Montreal Herald; Emma, Arthur, frank, Roscoe, Queenie, Lillie and Wilfred. Our subject is a member of the Royal Temple of Temperance, and has a fine medal which was presented to him on his coming to the States from Canada. He is at work on a new book, the title of which will probably be "The Wreck of Wealth." He is an indefatigable worker, and a most brilliant orator.