Person:William Burgan (1)

William H. Burgan, son of Isaac and Ellen Burgan, was born June 26, 1826, Lee County, Virginia. At the death of his father, William left home for employment. He was a farm hand receiving five, and later, ten dollars per month above 'keep' which meant meals, a place to sleep (not always a room or bed) and what laundry was considered necessary. He gradually worked his way west and finished school and two years of college at Oskaloosa, Iowa. After serving two years in the Union Army, with savings of $500 carried in a money belt, he purchased 60 acres of Iowa land.

November 13, 1851 William married Ellinor Collins who was born August 12, 1832, Putman County, Indiana, daughter of John Collins. He moved with her parents to Clayton County, Iowa. In 1854 they sold their Iowa property and pre-empted 160 acres of Government land in Minnesota Territory. This was the SW 1/4 of Section 22, in Pleasant Grove township, Olmsted County.

The ground based covered wagon was home more than three months until land was cleared and logs hewed for a log cabin. More frequent visitors than white men were Indians, rattlesnakes, timber wolves and other wild creatures of the forest. A gun and axe were ever near at hand for self protection. Cleared, grubbed and cultivated, the Burgan farm, like others in the community, became one of the most productive and prosperous. The log cabin gave way to a fine frame house erected on an elevation slightly north of the original home. Mr. and Mrs. Burgan were members of the Disciples of Christ Church in Pleasant Grove, and active in civic and Republican affairs.

Ten children were born to this marriage - John Wesley, married Kate Freeman; Sarah Margaret, William Brown; Abigail J., (Cornelius Bentley); Mary F., (Charles Outcalt); Anna E., (___ Smith and later Melvin Gwynne); Edward R.; Luman S., (Pearl Clark); Jessie W., (Clara Owen); Lydia and Laura died in infancy. Ellinor Collins Burgan died January 2, 1906. William H. Burgan died April 14, 1911. Wife, husband and infant daughters were laid to rest in Union (Evergreen) cemetery at Pleasant Grove. The infants had been moved from the Burgan cemetery to the family lot at Evergreen cemetery. The son, Luman S. Burgan purchased the family farm on which his father spent fifty-seven years.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Bernard, Belva du Mez. Research History of Pleasant Grove Township, Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1852-1960. (Rochester, Minnesota: Whiting Press, 1960?)
   441.
2. ↑ Minnesota Death Record.