James M. Burris Sr., of Franklinton, Washington Parish, La., was born in Amite County, Miss., March 5, 1825, the second of eight children of William and Mariah (Andrews) Burris, natives respectively of South Carolina and Louisiana. His father was a planter in Mississippi until his death, which occurred in 1840, and his mother's grandfather was Edmond Andrews. Mr. Burris was reared in Mississippi and Louisiana and educated in the private schools in those states. He has been very prominent in political affairs in Washington Parish. In 1866 he was elected sheriff and served two terms. He was later parish treasurer one term, and has been parish Superintendent of Education at the parish for ten years, an office which he holds at the present time. In connection with his official duties he has devoted much attention to planting and is the owner of about 200 acres of fine land, about sixty acres of which are under cultivation. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, of Carter's Battalion of Cavalry, with which he served with the rank of first lieutenant until the close of the war, participating in several skirmishes and in many minor engagements, but in no regular pitched battles. He was so fortunate during his military career as to be neither wounded nor taken prisoner and was paroled in Alabama in 1865. In 1849 he was married to Miss Rebecca Magee, the daughter of John Magee, of Louisiana, and who died in 1851. In 1852 Mr. Burris married Miss Sarah Ellis, daughter of Stephen Ellis, of Louisiana, who has borne him eleven children, as follows: William E. (deceased), James M. Jr., Charles A. (deceased), Mary M. (deceased), Sarah J., John A., Amanda C. (deceased), Ella, Stephen H., Lillie M. (deceased), and Phillip, also deceased. Mr. Burris and his family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a Mason and a member of the Farmers alliance. His interest in everything pertaining to the good of his parish and state is deep and abiding. His record as an official is one of which he may be justly proud and in every relation of life he has won the esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.
Biography of James M. Burris, in "Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana" (1892), Franklinton, La., Nov. 25---James M. Burris, aged 82 years, died here yesterday afternoon, and was buried at the Ellis Cemetery here today. Mr. Burris was a native of Mississippi, but moved here when a young man and had lived here since. He had been in public service all his life, having served as Parish Judge six years, beginning in 1870, and as Parish Superintendent of Public Education for fifteen years, and many years Chairman of the Parish Democratic Executive Committee. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and of the Masonic Order. He is survived by two sons, James M., Jr., and S. H. Burris, and two daughters, Mrs. H. B. Magee, of this place, and Mrs. W. E. Bickham, of HackleyNew Orleans "Daily Picayune," 26 Nov 1908. Thanks a grandson John and Sarah Magee