Biographical Sketch of

Edward Burns

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Page 670


Edward Burns, superintendent of the quarries of the Berlin and Montello Granite Company of Montello, Marquette 
County, was born in County Carlow, Ireland, April 8, 1852, and is a son of Edward and Mary (Burns) Burns.  His 
father came to the United States when a young man and engaged in teaching school in Lowell and Lawrence, Mass, 
when his health failed and he returned to Ireland, where he resumed the profession which he had followed in this 
country.  About 1845, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Burns, by whom he had three sons and a daughter, 
namely:  James, Peter, Mary and Edward, who are mentioned in the order of their births.  James went to England 
and was employed with steel furnaces in Birmingham, Manchester and Sheffeld, and later went to Glasgow, Scotland, 
where he spent his time in the same manner.  Subsequently he came to the United States, and for about two years 
has engaged in the manufacture of steel at Pittsburg, Pa.  Peter, after the death of his father, came with his 
mother and sister Mary to Bridgeport, Conn., which has since been the family home.  Edward Burns Sr., died in 
Ireland in 1877.
 
Our subject had but limited educational advantages and at the age of thirteen years became a railroad employee 
in his native land, where he continued operations in that line until 1871, when at the age of nineteen years he 
crossed the Atlantic to America with the intention of trying his fortune in this country.  He landed in New York 
City and thence went to Boston, where he soon effected an arrangement by which he secured employment in the 
quarries of the Cape Ann Granite Company, at Gloucester, Mass.  Thus began his long identification with the 
stone interests of the United States.  Since that time he has often been employed in responsible positions 
with some of the most extensive granite and stone quarries of America, throughout the New England, Middle 
and Southern States.  In 1882, in partnership with E. D. Freeman, a lawyer of Yarmouth, Me., he engaged in 
quarrying on his own account.  At the end of a year the partnership was dissolved and for six months thereafter 
Mr. Burns was employed in quarries in New Haven, Conn.  Through Mr. Freeman, his former partner, he became 
acquainted with Mr. Anderson of the Berlin and Montello Granite Company, and as the result of this acquaintance 
entered its employ.  In 1886, he was appointed Superintendent of the Berlin quarry, a position which he held 
until 1887, since which time he has been Superintendent of the Montello quarry.  To the duties devolving upon 
him he brought the knowledge and trained skill acquired by experience elsewhere, which combined with good 
business and executive ability, have enabled him to supervise all of the departments of this important interest.  
He is popular alike with his employers, his business associates and his employees and is held in high regard in 
social circles.  In politics, Mr. Burns is a Republican.






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