Transcription contributed by Arne H Trelvik 20 September 2005

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969

JACOB BURSK, blacksmith, Mason, was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Feb. 13, 1825. He is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Mowery) Bursk, who were born in Lancaster Co., Penn., he in the year 1797, she in 1798; they were married in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1824; he was a blacksmith by occupation, which he followed till 1830, when he came to Cincinnati, and, six weeks after, came to Mason, which was in the spring of 1831; here he followed his trade as long as he was able to perform the hard work of the shop; he died in 1878; she departed this life on her birthday, in 1855; they were parents of nine children, six of whom are living, viz., Jacob, Daniel, David, Joseph, Elizabeth and Susan; the deceased are Henry, George and Robert. Mr. Bursk was a member of the I. O. O. F., Mason Lodge, No. 209. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, having been drafted in Philadelphia. Our subject was reared in Pennsylvania until his 6th year; he learned his trade in Mason under his father, and, with the exception of three years he lived in Kansas, has resided in Mason since his settlement here; his Kansas trip was an unfortunate one, as he lost