John W. Burris, is named in the sketch of his father, John Burris, in Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen, by H. H. Hardesty, 1898:

BURRIS, JOHN - son of William and Rachel (Norman) Burris, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, May 4, 1815. His parents have been many years dead, his mother's death occurring in Marshall county, West Virginia. The first wife of John Burris was Mary, daughter of Joseph Waite. She was born 1801, wedded Mr. Burris September 10, 1837, and their children were: Squire, born November 9, 1838; Lucinda, August 20, 1840; John W., March 5, 1842. The mother of these children died in Marshall county, as did her parents. John W. was a soldier of the civil war, serving in the 12th West Virginia Infantry. He died October 22, 1866. January 11, 1866, in Greene county, Pennsylvania, John Burris was united in marriage with Sarah E. Burkett, and they made their home in Wetzel county in April, 1869. Their children were born as follows: Martha J., February 26, 1867; Christena L., January 1, 1869; Frances M., May 14, 1871; infant, still-born, January 20, 1874; William H., January 4, 1875; David S., October 1, 1877; Benjamin S., January 2, 1880; Wiley N., September 5, 1882 - the living children are at home. Sarah E., wife of John Burris, was born in New Jersey, on Christmas Day, 1845. She was a daughter of William and Lucinda C. (Smalley) Burkett, who died in Marshall county, this State. John Burris has passed his life in the labors of teaching, in which profession he has been eminently successful. He taught first in Ohio, and then for thirty years in Marshall county. His address is Silver Hill, Wetzel County, West Virginia.