William F. Burns (Byrnes), a prominent citizen of Cameron, W.Va., was born in Marshall county, W.Va., January 16, 1845. His father, George W. Byrnes, a native of Virginia, was a school teacher by occupation, afterward a farmer, and during the last seven years of his life was afflicted with paralysis until relieved by death, July 3, 1880, at the age of sixty-seven years. He was educated at Bethany college, and for about twenty-five years was a popular and successful instructor. He was married November 2, 1840, to Margaret Luke, who survives at the age of seventy-four years and makes her home with subject of this sketch. To this marriage were born eight children: Rev Robert L., who married Mary E. Reece, and now has charge of a church at Barkeville, Penn.; Rebecca, wife of Rev. J. W. Davis, general agent for the Barkeville academy; William F.; Joanna, who married J. J. Howard, and died March 12, 1881, aged thirty-four years; James A., died September 17, 1881, aged thirty-one; Jane V., died October 13, 1860, aged nine years; G. W. A., married to Catherine Hall, and Franklin R., died October 5, 1860, aged two years. During the war of the rebellion William F. Byrnes served two years and nine months, from July 20, 1862, when he enlisted in the Twelfth regiment, West Virginia infantry, in Company A. At the battle of Winchester he was wounded in the hand and captured, and put in a hospital there, and after the battle of Gettysburg was put with prisoners taken there, and confined in Libby prison, whence after two days he was transported to Belle Isle, where he suffered for forty-nine days for want of sufficient food. Being paroled he was sent to Annapolis, Md., there exchanged, and from there he went to Martinsburgh, Va., where he joined his regiment, and served with it until his discharge, March 11, 1865. Mr. Byrnes is a member of Cameron lodge, I.O.O.F., No. 36, and in politics is a republican. His brother, Robert L., also served in the Union army three years, and became captain of Company I, Fifteenth regiment, West Virginia volunteer infantry.