JAMES BURBANK, a well-to-do farmer and stock-raiser of Scott County, is one of the highly respected, self-made men of that county. His commodious residence and fine grounds are an ornament to the township. His residence is beautifully situated on the "Old State Road." His father was Cyrus Burbank, a native of Massachusetts, where he was born in 1801. His grandfather, Samuel, was also a native of the Bay State, removed to New Hampshire, and later to Canada.

Cyrus Burbank was a young man when his father went to Canada. Here the son married, bought and cleared a farm from the forest, and became a well-to-do farmer. Here he resided until his death and was recognized as an honored and respected citizen and a devoted member of the Baptist Church. His death occurred in August, 1888, at the age of eighty-seven years. His wife was Eliza Sanborn, a native of Maine. John Sanborn, grandfather of our subject, was born in Maine, moved to Canada, engaged in farming there, and made it his home the remainder of his life. The mother is also now deceased.

To Cyrus Burbank and wife were born seven children, namely: George, Lewis, Elias, James, Jesse, Cyrus and Pesris. James, the fourth child, was born in Canada, Feb. 15, 1834. He was reared on the home farm, where he lived until he was twenty-two years old. In the fall of 1836 he came to Illinois and located in Scott County where he worked on a farm until the following year. The next years he rented land, and in the spring of 1836 bought his present place. He lived in a log house at first, and worked diligently in improving the land he had bought. He has since added to this until he now owns 355 acres, and has made over two hundred acres of it out of the forest. He has set out orchards, made hedge fences, planted all kinds of fruit, erected all necessary farm buildings and a splendid residence, and as above stated has one of the finest and best improved farms in Scott County.

On Mr. Burbank's farm are some splendid animals. Among these are some fine Polled-Angus stock, and Poland-China hogs. He takes a special delight in raising the latter.

Mr. Burbank was married in Canada in October, 1857, to Miss Luthera Ellsworth, also a native of Canada, and where she had taught school prior to her marriage. They have a family of four children, namely: Irwin, Edwin, Oscar and Joseph.

Mr. Burbank has been a hard working man, and with his excellent judgment has not only been able to make life a success for himself and family, but has been a public-spirited citizen and one who has ever proved valuable to the entire neighborhood in which he has so long lived. Politically he is a Republican.