JUDGE NATHANIEL M. BURFORD was born in the State of Tennessee, June 24, 1924. and is a son of John H. and Nancy (McAlister) Burford, natives of North Carolina and Virginia respectively. The parents were pioneers of Tennessee, and were married in that State. The father was a farmer by occupation. He served as Captain in the war of 1812, and distinguished himself for bravery and courage. He ended a long and useful career in 1862. His wife died in 1870. They were sturdy, noble souls, people of great character, and representative types of the early settlers.
Nathaniel M. grew to maturity in his native State. After a careful preparation by private tutors he entered Irving College, and took the full course of that institution. He then read the law, and was admitted to the bar in 1845, beginning an active practice the following year.
In January, 1847, he removed to Texas, and settled in Jefferson, where he resided until October 8, 1848, at which time he settled in Dallas, where he has been a prominent factor in the development and progress of the State. So rapidly did he grow in popularity and public esteem that in 1850 he was elected District Attorney. He served the term with great satisfaction to his constituency, and was re-elected to the office in 1852.
In 1856 he was elected Judge of the Fourteenth Judicial District, which comprised a wide territory. He traversed the section under his jurisdiction in a primitive style, and was always received in with bounteous hospitality by the settlers. During his administration the State was passing through a transition period, many cases of grave and serious importance arose. His clear conception of the law, coupled with a prompt decision and unflinching adherence to his convictions, enabled him to master the situation under all circumstances, and won for him a wide and lasting reputation. During his official career he became the personal friend of General Thomas, and made the acquaintance of many other persons of distinction.
In 1862 Judge Burford was made Colonel of the Nineteenth Texas Cavalry in the Confederate service, and held the position until 1864, when he was obliged to resign on account of ill health. He resumed his legal practice, and was soon elected as a member of the Eleventh Assembly of Texas, and was chosen Speaker of the House. He was in 1876 again elected District Judge, an office which he resigned after two years account of ill health. Since that time he has been living a retired life.
Judge Burford was united in marriage, in 1854, to Miss Mary Knight, a native of Tennessee. Eight children were born to them, four of whom survived the mother, who died in 1888. She was a faithful wife, a fond and careful mother, and a woman of great nobleness of character. The children are named as follows: Mattie, the wife of William Freeman, Robert L., Jeff. M., and Mary. The children have all enjoyed superior educational advantages, and have made the most of their opportunities.
Their father has been a student all his life and is one of the most cultured gentlemen in Dallas county. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and for many years has served as Vestryman. Both in public and private life he has lived above reproach, and Dallas county is proud to claim Nathaniel M. Burford as one of her representative citizens.
Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas County, Texas. Lewis Pub. Co., 1892, pages 337-338 transcribed by Robert Bennett