USA > New York > Chemung County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 142
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 142
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 142
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 142
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No. 1. Henry Louis Bower, born Sept. 20, 1832; died April 1, 1835. No. 2. Charles F. Bower, born July 5, 1834, and was married June 7, 1862, to Miss Sarah Brown, of this town ; the four children's names, Libbie Elgene Bower, born July 2, 1865 ; Annie Eveline Bower, born May 30, 1868; Warren Dean Bower, born March 28, 1871; and Charles Leroy Bower, born April 26, 1874. No. 3. William Henry Ilarrison Bower, born Sept. 15, 1839; married Miss Helen Bishop, Oct. 25, 1866, and they have three children as follows : Ella Bower, born Nov. 9, 1868; Lena Bower, born March 20, 1872; and Harry Bower, born Aug. 30, 1871. No. 4. Warren Dean Bower, born Nov. 19, 1843; died April 7, 1855. No. 5. Ella Bower, born Oct. 16, 1847; married to Mr. Milo Howell, in January, 1873. No. 6. Mary Bower, born May 1, 1851. No. 7. Jay Bower, born Nov. 5, 1853; married Miss Anna Mallory, Jan. 7, 1876.
Abram, by dint of persevering industry and hard work, and by close application to his business, has added farm to farm until he now owns five hundred and eight acres of as good land as New York State affords, which is divided up into four farms, with a set of fine build- ings to each one, which are occupied by the four married children, -and they are all nicely situated,-which farms they will inherit. Abram owes nothing; was always afraid of indebtedness. His five hundred and eight acres was worth, and he was offered, one hundred and twenty-five dollars per aere, but did not wish to sell; this was when land was highest, but in average years would sell at one hundred dollars per aere ; it is all in one body,-part from two military tracts. He says the first crop he ever raised was eight hundred bushels of wheat, and sold it to a man in this town-who failed-at one dollar per bushel, and received but one-half of it. Corn was then worth four shillings, oats, two sbillings ; and from 1812 to 1824 wheat ranged from two shillings and sixpence to four shillings, oats, eighteen cents, and corn twenty cents ; and on the opening of the canal, in 1824, prices of grain and other produce began to advance. Abram says that be- fore the canal was opened his father raised eight hundred bushels of wheat, had it floured, seut it to Albany, and realized one hundred and
five dollars, and that the next year would do better; tried eight hun- dred bushels of wheat; had it floured, sent it to Albany, and realized the same again, i.e., one hundred and five dollars. The above is to illustrate what hard times meant in those carly days, which the pio- neers had to suffer in the pinching inevitables of a new country, and not as now, with billions of broad acres under cultivation, and millions upon millions of people to consume the products. Abram has acquired a large-property, and not a dollar by speculation, but by the fulfilling the Scripture requirement of getting it by the sweat of his brow, and by good judgment and management; so much so that he is quoted as the " model farmer" of all of this section of country, and by his counsel, advice, and pecuniary assistance has helped many a young man to enter and pursue the road of prosperity. He was always a man of strict integrity, whose word was as good as his note. In politics has always been progressive; was a Republican until of late; thinks they and the Democrats are about alike corrupt, and thinks the " Greenback theory" the nearest right and most hope- ful for our country.
His religious belief is, in few words, as follows: believes in Chris- tianity (but is not a member of any denomination or sect), but more in its primitive character; that there was but one Church instituted by Christ and the Apostles for the whole world and for all time, which consists of all believers who have the love of God and humanity in their hearts; and that parties and creeds make them no better, but the contrary. Their theological views are of no account if they pos- sess that love.
Mr. Bower says he never sued any one, and never was sued in his life, but always took peaceable means to settle any and all difficulties, -a good example for most church members to follow.
Mr. Bower wishes me to say that he can stand at his front-door and look into every town in Tompkins County, and can look up the ravine to Taghanic Falls, which is opposite on the other side of Cayuga Lake, and nearly three miles distant.
MRS. ABRAM BOWER.
Mrs. Abram Bower's maiden name was Miss Francina Demorest Baker, daughter of Samuel Baker, of this town. She was born in 1810, and is now sixty-eight years old. She was married in 1831. Her family history, in brief, was as follows :
Her grandfather Baker was of Quaker belief, a crockery merchant in the city of New York in the time of the Revolutionary war. He emigrated from England; he failed and lost all he had in New York. Her father emigrated from the city of New York in about the year 1789. He first visited Canada, in viewing, and then came to what is now called Lansingville, of the town of Lansing (formerly called town of Milton). He thought, on his arrival, that there was not another white man in that section, except the man who came with him, but in the course of a month he heard the sound of an axe, aud went to it, and found Captain Simeon Strong, who proved to be the only neigh- bor he had. Samuel Baker was, consequently, one of the first settlers in the town of Milton (now Lansing). He bought a " military tract" (of a man who came to see him) of six hundred and forty acres, in the town, at two shillings and sixpence per acre, and said the title was good; afterwards proved worthless. He then footed it to Albany twice, and again paid two shillings and sixpence per acre,-five shil- lings in all,-and at Albany got a good title to it. Ile suffered all the deprivations common to pioneer life.
Mrs. Bower's father was a blacksmith, and worked at his trade about thirty years. He had never been to school but about six weeks in his life, and yet was a magistrate in this town for twenty years, and was very efficient iu filling up "land conveyances" and other "writings" for the people, and was looked up to with esteem at that early day (he died in about 1853), aud considered one of the first men in town. The names of " Baker," "Strong," and "Bower" became very numerous in the town at a later date.
Mrs. A. Bower says when she was young farmers all saved their wool, and took it to a "cardiug-machine" and had it carded, woven, and fulled for their own wear in pressed flannel ; for girls and men and boys wore full eloth, and was the best they could do tben.
Sbe made her own first "ingrain carpet" after marriage, about thirty years since, and that it was better to wear than any now, and full as nice. She at that early day made her own table, and all other, linens. She has kept house about forty-six years; always did her own housework, and has been truly a " help-meet" in acquiring the property they have amassed.
Her religious views are very similar to her husband's,-of a liberal character, belonging to no "sect" or "party," yet believes there are good people in all, and is a believer in Christianity proper, and is a descendant of a Quaker family ; thinks it not necessary to belong to a sect to be saved at last.
523
AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.
Nathaniel A. Merritt, corp., Co. F, 9th N. Y. II. Art. ; en1. Aug. 18, 1862, three years ; in battles of Cedar Creek and in front of Petersburg; disclt. 1865. Charles F. Merritt, private, Co. F, 9th N. Y. Il. Art .; enl. Ang. 18, 1862, three years ; in battles of Cedar Creek and in front of Petersburg; disch. 1865. Harrison Burger, private, 64th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Aug. 1861, three years; killed at Artietam.
Edward T. Burger, private, Co. E, 64th N. Y. luf .; enl. Aug. 1861, three years; died at Frederick City.
Sylvenus W. Stout, sergt., Co. F, 9th N. Y. II. Art. ; enl. Aug. 11, 1862, three years; in battles of Cold llarbor, Petersburg, Washington ; wounded at Cedar Creek ; disch. 1865.
Jonathan Lobdell, private, Co. F, 9th N. Y. 11. Art. ; enl. Sept. 1, 1864, one year ; in battles of Cedar Creek, Petersburg, and Sailor's Run ; diseh. 1865.
Thomas Pearee, private, 131st N. Y. Inf .; enl. Aug. 23, 1862, three years ; died in Virginia.
Jolin S. Ilolden, private, Co. F, 9th N. Y. H. Art. ; en1. Ang. 30, 1862, three years; in battles of Cold Harhor, Sailor's Run, Petersburg, Cedar Creek, and Hatcher's Run: disch. 1865.
John G. Wiant, private, Co. A, 32d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 30, 1862, three years; in battles of Gettysburg and Petersburg.
Michael Burmingham, private, Co. I, 324 N. Y. Inf .; enl. Ang. 30, 1862, three years; wounded at the battle of West Point ; re-enl. 1863, 9th N. Y. 11. Art .; accidentally killed Oct. 27, 1865.
Jas. Darwin Brackett, private, Co. A, 32d N. Y. Inf .; enl. April 22, 1861, two years; in battles of West Point, Gaines' Ilill, White Oak Swamp, Mal- veru llill, Antietam, Crampton l'ass, and Fredericksburg ; re-enl. March 1, 1864, 3d N. Y. Art .; battle of King-ton ; disel. 1865.
Geo. L. Bennett, corp., Co. D, 143d Inf .; enl. Sept. 16, 1862, three years; wounded in battle near Dallas, and died of the wound.
Richard L. Goodwin, sergt., Co. A, 320 N. Y. Inf .; enl. April 17, 1861, two years ; in battles of first Bull Run, West Point, and near Harrison Landing ; disch. 1862.
Jerome S. Billington, private, Co. G, 15th N. Y. Cav .; en1. Feb. 11, 1864, three years ; in battles of New Market, Piedmont, Lynchburg; disch. 1864.
Geo llagin, private, Co. G, 15th N. Y. Cav .; enl. Feb. 11, 1864, three years ; in battles of Five Forks, Harper's Farm, Dinwiddie Court-llonse, and at the surrender of Gen. Lee; disch. 1865.
Daniel llagan, sergt., Co. G, 109tlı N. Y. Inf. ; en1. Ang. 12, 1862, three years ; in battles of Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Reams' Station, and Hatcher's Run ; disch. 1865.
Merritt F. Ilagin, private, Co. G, 15th N. Y. Cav .; enl. Feb. 11, 1864, three years; in battle of Lacy Springs; disch. 1865.
Francis Ilagin, private, Co. G, 109th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Dee. 31, 1863, three years ; in battles of Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold llarbor, Petersburg, and Weldon Railroad; diseh. 1865.
Jones Dans, private; enl. Jan. 1, 1864, three years; died of smallpox at Camp Stoneman.
Dauiel B. Mack, private, Co. B, 9th N. Y. Art. ; enl. Feb. 1, 1864, three years; in battles before Petersburg and Weldou Railroad; was takeu prisoner and kept eight days; disch. 1865.
Johu H. Inman, private, Co. G, 109th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Ang. 11, 1862, three years; in battles of Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Fort Steadman, and at the surrender of Gen. Lee; disell. 1865.
Charles L. Shergur, sergt., Co. F, 9th N. Y. Art .; enl. Ang. 14, 1862, three years ; in battles of Cold llarbor, Cedar Creek, Petersburg, Richmond, and Sailor's Creek ; disch. 1865.
John Collins, private, Co. D, 143d N. Y. Inf .; enl. Ang. 16, 1862, three years ; in battles of Nansemond, Wanhatehic, M.s.ion Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Peach-Tree Creek, Atlanta, Savannah, Averysboro', and Bentonville, and was at the surrender of Jolinson; disch. 1865.
W'm. Henry Knettles, private, 76th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct. 25, 1861, three years; died Jan. 22, 1864, of typhoid fever.
Charles Morgan, private, Co. G, 109th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Ang. 1, 1862, three years ; in battles of Reams' Station and Fort Steadman ; killed in the battle before Petersburg, 1864.
Smith E. Austin, private, Co. 1, 75th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Sept. 25, 1861, three years; was at the battle of Santa Rosa, evacuation of Warrington and Pensa- cola; at the siege and surrender of Port Ilndson, and Sabine l'ass, Texas; re-enl. Jan. 1, 1863; killed at Auburn, Va.
Eli Conklin, sergt., Co A, 324 N. Y. Inf .; enl. May, 1861, two years; in battles of first Bull Run, West Point, White-Oak Swamp, Gaines' llill, Fair Oaks, Malvern Ilill, South Mountain, second Bull Run, Antietam, and Fredericksburg; re.enl. 1863, 15th N. Y. Cav .; was in the Morefield raid; taken prisoner May 10, 1864; in Andersonville prison eight months, and paroled ; disch. 1865.
Francis W. Avery, private, Co. G, 15th N. Y Cav .; enl. Oct. 21, 1863, three years; in battles of New Market, Piedmont, Waynesboro', Lynchburg, Martinsburg, Charlestown, Lacy Springs, Five Forks, and was at the snrreuder of Gen. Lee; disch 1×65.
Philip Gibbs, sergt., Co. C, 75th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Oct. 8, 1861, three years; Was at the battle of Santa Rosa ; at the evacuation of Warrington aul Pensa- cola; at the siege of Port Hudson, and Sabine Pass, Texas; re-enl. 1863, 75th N. Y. Inf .; in battles of Winchester, Fisher Ilill, and Cedar Creek. John 11. Elwell, private, Co. C, 75tl N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oet. 8, 1>61 ; at Santa Rosa, and evaenation of Warrington and Pensacola ; at the destruction of gun- boat "Cotton." and Camp Biswell; and at the siege of Port Hudson, and Sabine l'ass, Texas; re-enl. 1863, 75th N. Y. Inf.
Theodore Teeter, private, Co. D, 75th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Oct. 1, 1865; no record. Arthur MeCoon, private, Co. A, 15th N. Y. Cav. ; three years. F. Dwight Loomis, three years.
Edward C. llowe, private, 16th N. Y. Art .; eul. Jan. 20, 1861, three years. Jolin C. Bishop, private, 174th N. Y. Inf .; eul. Oet. 1, 1862, three years; In battle of White llonse; at the siege of Port Hudson ; disclt. 1863.
John Shoemaker, private, 109th N. Y. Inf .; eul. Ang. 10, 1862, three years; killed in the battle of Wilderness, 1864.
Silas W. l'ersonius, private, Co. G, 109th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Aug. 21, 1862, three years; wounded in the battle of Fredericksburg, of which he died.
Chester Personins, private, Co. G, 109th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Aug. 22, 1862, three years; in battles of Wilderness, Sulphur Springs, Cold llarbor, and Gaines' Farm; at the assault of Petersburg, and killed at the springing of Burnsides' Mine, 1864; body left in the hands of the rebels.
Philip Kreage, sergt., Co. G, 109th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Aug. 8, 1862, three years; was in battles of Wilderness, Sulphur Springs, Gaines' Farm, Cold llar- bor, and Petersburg.
Chauncey S. Thorp, private, Co. G, 109th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Ang. 12, 1862, three years; in battles of Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Sulphur Springs, and Weldou Railroad; disch, 1865.
Anson W. Kuettles, capt., Co. G, 109th N. Y. Inf .; enl. July 28, 1862, three years ; was in the battles of the Wilderness, Gaines' Farm, Cold llarbor, Sulphur Springs, and before Petersburg, and wounded while on duty as brigade officer of the day ; ball hit the right eye, and passed out the left elleek ; disch. by order of Secretary of War, Sept. 27, 1864.
Alvin Wyckoff, Co. C, 76th N. Y. Inf .; enl. Oct. 25, 1861, three years; was at the battles of Rappahannock Station, Gainesville, Sulphur Springs, An- tietanı, second Bull Run, first Fredericksburg, and Chaneellorsville, Gettysburg (wounded in the knee), Mine Run, Wilderness (wounded, ball passing through the left corner of the mouth and jaw, knocking out two teeth and a piece of the jaw), and Weldon Railroad; d.sch. 1864.
Ai Wyckoff, sergt., Co. A, 32dl N. Y. Inf .; enl. Sept. 1861, twenty months. Levi Wyckoff, private, Co. A, 32d N. Y. Inf .; nine months.
Joseph F. Roberts, sergt., Co. D, 6th N. Y. Inf .; enl. April 27, 1861, two years ; in first Bull Run, West Point, seven days' retreat on the Peninsula, second Bull Run, and Fredericksburg; re-eul. 1864, iu 16th H. Art .; in the Wil- derness and Spotsylvania; disch. 1865.
Sam'I L Roberts was at first Bull Run, West Point, seven days' retreat on the Peninsula, second Bull Run, campaign in Maryland, and first and second Fredericksburg; re-enl. Dec. 1864.
Franklin M. Roberts, died in 1864 of fever.
Charles S. Barnard, Michael Esler, John. W. Roberts, Thomas Hale, no record. George W. Norton, private, Co. II, 10th N. Y. Cav .; enl. Oct. 1861, three years ; disel. 1862.
Wm. llenry Turner, corp., Co. F, 9th 11. Art .; enl. Ang. 14, 1862, three years; at the capture of Richmond and Petersburg, Va .; disch. July 20, 1865.
Jefferson llargin, private, 143d N. Y. Inf .; enl. JJuly, 1862, three years; died at Yorktown, Va.
Frank Crocker, private, 22d Inf .; enl. Ang. 1862, three years; di-ch. 1863.
John E. Merritt, private, Co. E, 9th N. Y. II. A.t. ; enl. Dec. 2, 1863, three years ; in battles of Cold Harbor, Manassas Junetion, Fisher's Hill, and Winches- ter; wounded at the battle of Cedar Creek; disch. 1865.
Jesse H. Conrad, private, Co. 31, 24th N. Y. Cav .; enl. Feb. 14, 1865, one year ; in battles of Dinwiddie, llarper's Farm, and Appomattox; disch. 1865.
Ilenry L. Hopkins, private, Co. B3, 12th N. Y. Cav .; enl. Sept. 27, 1864, one year; in battle of Kingston; disch. 1865.
Edwin T. Drake, private, Co. G, 46th Illinois Inf. ; enl. Oct. 8, 1861, three years; in battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Ilatchie, and Holly Springs; wounded in head at Shiloh ; disch. 1864.
Aaron P'rine, private, Co. G, 11th U. S. Art .; enl. Oet. 4, 1363, three years ; diseh. 1865.
George W. Wooley, private, Cu. M, 12th N. Y. Cav. ; enl Sept. 13, 1864, one year ; at battle of Kingston ; disch. 1865.
Egbert M. Etts, private, Co. 1, 9th II. Art .; enl. Dec. 22, 1863, three years; in battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Cedar Cre .k, l'e- ter-burg, and sailor's Creek.
Lamont 8. Benedict, private, Co. F, 15th N. Y. Eng .; enl. S.pt. 3, 1-64. one year ; employed in front of Petersburg from Oct. 4, 1:64, to April 16, 1565, and disch. June, 1865.
Charles 11. Tarbell, private, Co. F, 109th N Y. luf. ; enl. Ang. 9, 1864, three years; musician, and trans. Vet. Res. Corps ; disch. 1×65.
Henry Austin, landsman; enl. Ang. 22, 1x61, one year; on board the " North Carolina"; trans. to the " Lancaster""; disch. Oct. 24, 1x65.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN F. BURDICK, M.D.
Henry Burdick, the father of the subject of this sketch, and the oldest in the family of six children of Peter Bur- dick, was born in Stonington, Conn., in 1763, and died in 1806.
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HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,
John F. Burdick was born in Halifax, Vt., Nov. 25, 1803. His father died when he was three years of age, and he remained at home with his mother till he was thir- teen, wlien he began the world for himself. He enjoyed the advantages of a common-school education. In 1824 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. George W. Phillips, of Ithaca. After remaining with him one year he went to Castleton, Vt., and completed his studies. He then returned to Ithaca and commenced his practice in 1828. On Sept. 9, 1831, he married Miss Elizabeth, only child of Abram Van Wagoner, of Lansing. By this union three children were born to them,-Isaac D., Benbell, and Elizabeth V.,-none of whom are now living. Mrs. Burdick died May 23, 1837, beloved by all. In 1831 he removed to Lansing and settled on a farm, still continuing his prac- tice in connection with farming.
On April 20, 1840, he married Hannah Sexton, daughter of Benjamin and Hannah Botsford, of Manchester, Onta- rio Co., N. Y. There are no children by this union.
In 1859 he moved back to Ithaca, where he remained three years, and returned to the farm.
His present residence was built in 1868, on the spot where his two former residences were destroyed by fire,- the first in 1844, and the second, which was a water-cure establishment for six years, in 1867.
A view of his beautiful residence may be seen on the pages of this work, also portraits of himself and wife. Dr. Burdick has been county coroner for twenty years. In politics a Democrat, having cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson. In religious sentiment a Baptist. His wife has been a member of that church for fifty-nine years.
OLIVER P. TOWNLEY.
Oliver P. Townley is of English origin, and was born in Lansing, April 2, 1820. He is the third in the family of five children of Richard Townley, who was the son of Richard, who was the son of Effingham, who came from England at an early day, and settled at Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Richard, Jr., came to Tompkins County when but cight years of age, and in 1810 settled in Lansing, on a farm, having only an ox-team and one shilling in money. He purchased the farm of one hundred acres which bis father settled upon, agreeing to pay four hundred dollars for the same. He paid for it by chopping wood and taking it to Imdlowville, at three shillings a cord. At various times he purchased adjoining tracts, so that when he died, Oct. 24, 1853, he had eight hundred acres of valuable land. He was considered one of the most industrious men of his day. Oliver P. spent his youth on his father's farm and in the common schools of Lansing. He remained on the farm till 1862, when he and his brother Aaron pur- chased of the heirs the homestead. Aaron is living at the old home, and Oliver has a beautiful residence on his por- tion, undoubtedly the finest farm-house in the county, a view of which may be seen elsewhere.
On Jan. 17, 1861, he was united in marriage with Martha A., daughter of David and Mary Ann Schofield, of Virgil, Cortland Co., N. Y.
The result of this union was Susan H., born Sept. 4, 1863; Amadilla, born Oct. 16, 1865; Mary L., born April 26, 1868; Helen M., born Jan. 10, 1872.
Mr. Townley has been a stanch Republican since the formation of that party. He is considered one of the thorough representative farmers of Lansing.
JOIIN W. GIBBS.
William Gibbs, father of the subject of this sketch, and son of William Gibbs, was born in New Jersey, June 8, 1763. He was one of the first settlers in this part of the county. He settled in what was then Onondaga County, now Tompkins, on a farm of seventy-five acres of wild land,
LITTLE
Photo, by Frear.
JOHN W. GIBBS.
which he cleared up and cultivated. He was a tailor by trade, which he followed for several years in connection with farming. He resided on his farm till his death, which occurred April 18, 1826.
He reared a family of ten children, namely, Frederick L., Sarah Ann, Hannah, Philip J., Mary, Ella, Jesse B., Cyn- thia, and John W., all of whom became men and women, with families, and four of whom only are now living. His wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Philip Bright, of New Jersey, was born in New Jersey, March 15, 1771. She survived him thirty-six years, and died in Lansing, Sept. 21, 1862.
John W. Gibbs was born in Lansing, March 22, 1814. He spent his youth on his father's farm and in the common schools of Lansing. On Sept. 24, 1835, he was married to Catharine, daughter of William Ozmun, a wealthy farmer of Lansing. She was born Dec. 3, 1818. The result of this union was as follows : Elizabeth, born July 30, 1836 (married Aaron Brown, of Lansing); Catharine, born March 15, 1838 (married Smith Platt, of Ithaca); Mariah, born Jan. 7, 1840 (married Simon Personius, of Lansing);
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AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.
Sarah H., born Nov. 25, 1842 (married George H. Azror, of Lansing) ; William B., born Jan. 28, 1845 (married Mrs. Lou Emma De Forrest, of St. Louis, Mo.); Mary E., born Feb. 14, 1847 (married George Gibbs, of Enfield ); Cynthia L., born Sept. 2, 1848; Esther E., born Aug. 12, 1850 (married Jesse Gibbs, of Pennsylvania); Eva, born Jan. 30, 1853, dicd Feb. 19, 1853; Ida P., born March 24, 1854, died Jan. 26, 1873; Ella A., born April 8, 1856 (married Sylvester Bush, of Lansing); Zell, born Dec. 27, 1862.
In 1832 he purchased of the heirs the homestead, and for the past thirty years he has been an auctioneer as well as farmer.
Originally a Whig, but since the formation of the Re- publican party a stanch Republican. In religious faith a Methodist ; both he and his wife have been members of that church sinee 1840. His first wife died Nov. 17, 1869. He was united in marriage with his present wife, Susan Bush, daughter of Jeremiah Brown, of Lansing. She was born Dee. 29, 1823.
JAMES A. BURR
is a deseendant of Benjamin Burr, who emigrated from England, and settled in Hartford, Conn., in 1635. The grandfather of James A., whose name was Timothy Burr, was a merchant in Hartford; he married Susan M. Hins-
LAT
Photo. by Frear.
JAMES A. BURR.
dale ; they had one son, Timothy. He was a successor to his father in the mercantile business, and was very successful ; he married the daughter of Dea Moses Chapin, of Hartford, a jeweler. They had thirteen children,-seven sons and six daughters,-named as follows, according to births : Timothy, formerly a merchant at Trumansburg, Mary K., Susan M., Thomas, Albert Chapin, Alexander J., Henry L., formerly in business with Calvin and Nathan Burr at Ludlowville, N. Y., James A. Burr, his successor, Cornelius A., Julia A., Harriet E., Caroline J., and Emily
C. Burr. The father was from his youth very fond of military affairs, and was a general in the Connectieut mili- tia, and helped to equip some of his men that were unable to bear the expense. Hinman, in his work on the carly Connecticut settlers, speaks of him as a splendid officer.
About 1811 he removed to Ogdensburg, N. Y., and on the breaking out of the war of 1812 was made commissary- general of the western army ; he was stationed at Ogdens- burg. When that post was burned by the British his family were forced to flee, alone and on foot, to escape the barbarities of the enemy. Subsequently he resided at Watertown and at Henderson, and in the year 1821 rc- moved to Rochester, N. Y., then a village of perhaps one thousand inhabitants, and but a few frame buildings ; he was identified with the interests of that now flourishing city, until his death by cholera, which happened in August, 1832; his wife also died with cholera the following day, and one son, Albert C., died two weeks previous with the same disease, induecd by being a volunteer nurse.
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