William S. Burgess, a prominent citizen and a well known, enterprising planter of White County and resident of the Twelfth Civil District, was born in Putnam County August 24, 1830. He is the son of Charles and Margaret (McBride) Burgess. His father w as of Irish descent, a native of North Carolina, born in that State in 1806, and died in Putman County December 6, 1886. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and made life a fair success. He was a member of the Christian Church and died in that faith. Mr. Burgess’ mother’s ancestors came from Scotland. She was a native of White County, born in 1808. She is still living, a resident of Putnam County. Mr. Burgess is the second of thirteen children. He secured a common-school education, which has been supplemented by extensive reading. At the age of twenty-one he went West with the intention of going to California, but when he reached Missouri unfavorable news of the Pacific Coast caused him to stop in that State. He was one of the first settlers of Kansas. For three years he gave his attention to farming in Kansas and Missouri. In 1854 he returned to his father’s home and purchased a farm in White County, where he lived five or six years. In the fall of 1862 he entered the Confederate States Army, and joined the Eighth Regiment of Cavalry, commanded by Gen. Dibrell. He served with credit the remainder of the war with this general, and took part in many of the battles and skirmishes fought. December, 1864 he was captured while on a scouting expedition, and kept prisoner of war until the battle of Nashville. In the spring of 1865, after an absence of three years, he returned home and resumed farming. Mr. Burgess has been an active business man. He began with nothing but an honest heart and a strong will, and now owns 1,200 acres of land in White County, also a half interest in a large water mill on Falling Water Creek, near the Putnam County line. The falls on the streams are remarkable beyond description. There are four falls, Mr. Burgess and his younger brother, Winfield, owning the first three. On March 18, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Ricy O. Barnes, a most excellent lady, who was born June 14, 1834, and reared in White County. To this union have been born three children–one son and two daughters. Athough not a member of the church, Mr. Burgess and wife are in sympathy with the Baptist Church.

Source:   Goodspeed Pub. Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of the Counties of White, Warren, Coffee, DeKalb, and Cannon, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, Etc., Etc. Nashville: Goodspeed Pub. Co, 1887.