Jacob Burns, Mr. Burns, of the firm of Burns & Son, Miami, Missouri, was born in Switzerland, May 15, 1832. When Jacob was only nine months old, his parents came to America, and settled in Lancaster, Ohio. In 1844, they moved to Brunswick, Missouri, and in 1854, located at Miami in Saline county. He never had but six weeks schooling, but has employed his leisure hours in study. On the 30th of March, 1856, he was married to Miss Ruth A. Clemmens, by whom he has five children living, and one dead: M. L., Jesse A., Edith B., Wilber E. and Iowa. Mrs. Burns died in December, 1873; he was married again May, 1874, to Miss Mary S. Hall. Mr. Burns is a member of the M. E. Church, South, and of I. O. O. F. In 1864, he volunteered in Jo. Shelby’s command, and was afterwards transferred to another command, and was out nine months. At twenty years of age he begun the trade of blacksmith and followed it three years. He then tried the tinner’s trade, which he has followed ever since. The war left him nearly ruined, but he has now got his affairs in good shape.
