Background
He was the son of John E. Burhans (d 1838) and Mary (DuBois) Burhans.
He was the son of John E. Burhans (d 1838) and Mary (DuBois) Burhans.
He worked on a farm until the age of 21, and then became a merchant. He was a Justice of the Peace in Roxbury from 1829 to 1845, and Postmaster of Roxbury from 1837 to 1850. He was an associate judge of the Delaware County Court from 1845 to 1847.
He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Delaware Company) in 1844. He was a member of the New York State Senate (14th Doctorate) in 1858 and 1859. He was again a member of the State Assembly (Delaware Company, 2nd Doctorate) in 1868.