Born in Ovid, New York, Burroughs completed a preparatory course. He was Village Clerk of Medina, New York, in 1835; and a Village trustee in 1836, from 1839 to 1843 and from 1845 to 1847. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1840, and commenced practice in Medina. He was Village Attorney of Medina from 1845 to 1847. He was a brigadier general in the New York State Militia from 1848 to 1858. He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Orleans Co.) in 1837, 1850, 1851 and 1853. Pharmaceutical entrepreneur Silas Mainville Burroughs (1846–1895) was his son.