| Contributor::
|
Transcription contributed by Martie Callihan 2 November 2005 |
| Sources: |
The History of Warren County Ohio Part V. Biographical Sketches Massie Township (Chicago, IL: W. H. Beers Co, 1882; reprint, Mt. Vernon, IN: Windmill Publications, 1992) |
Page |
CLARKS0N BURGESS, farmer; P. O. Harveysburg; born on the farm where he now lives, Nov. 4, 1844; is a son of Jesse W. and Elizabeth (Harvey) Burgess, he a native of Virginia and she of Ohio; the paternal grandparents were Thomas and Betty Burgess, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Virginia. Thomas was a son of Joseph Burgess, and he a son of Samuel Burgess, who emigrated from England to America and settled in a very early day, and is said to have lived for a time in a cave. Thomas Burgess, while a young man, emigrated with his parents from Pennsylvania to Virginia, where he married and resided till about 1813; emigrated with his family to Ohio, and located in Highland Co , and resided till in the fall of 1835; he removed to Harveysburg and resided till his death in the summer of 1836, aged 73 years ; his wife died at the home of one of her children in Indiana. They had four sons and four daughters, four now survive—Elizabeth, now Mrs. Mendenhall, living at Indianapolis; Joseph, in Iowa; Moses, in Kansas; and Tacy, now Mrs. Hadley, in Indiana. Jesse W. was about 8 years of age when brought to Ohio by his parents; was raised to farm labor, and grew to manhood, receiving a good common school education, and entered upon the study of medicine with Dr. Jesse Harvey, in Clinton Co.; in 1831,1832 and 1833, attended medical lectures at Cincinnati, and graduated in the latter year; he entered upon the practice of his profession in Highland Co.; thence located at Harveysburg. But Mr. Burgess had more pleasure and relish in farming than for his profession, and |
| Page 996 |
he soon gave his leading attention to the occupation of farming. In 1835, the farm where Clarkson and his mother now live was purchased, and in 1838 he and his family moved on to the farm; here he spent the balance of his life, engaged mainly in the management of the farm, but was forced to continue his practice more or less, as many of his friends placed such confidence in his skill and knowledge that in severe and critical cases of sickness he was sure to be called upon to treat these patients. But the brightest and most shining trait in the Doctor's character was the great interest he took in the subject of education. He was the active man—the motive power—in every step of progress in his neighborhood and community, in elevating the standard of schools and teachers; was School Director for many years; he also filled most of the offices of his township during his life. He gave all his children a thorough education, and most of them became graduates of college. In his death the community lost a most worthy citizen, and the family a kind father and a devoted husband. He died Dec. 19, 1868, aged 63 years; his wife is still living on the old homestead, where she resides her son Clarkson. They had eight children, five now survive—Thomas H., residing in the State of New York; Martha Ann, now Mrs. Anderson, living in Iowa; Mahala L.; William H., residing in North Carolina; and Clarkson; Mary Emily, (deceased) was more than an ordinary woman and scholar; was a teacher of great repute in the Female College at College Hill, Cincinnati, and died there Dec. 20,1854; Anna M. (deceased) was a teacher at Friends Academy, Union Springs, N. Y., where she was held in high esteem by both faculty and pupils of that institution; she died at Union Springs, Feb. 28,1868. Isaac T. (deceased) the youngest child, had a very bright and energetic mind, was a devoted Christian, whose life was cut off at the early age of 13 years, Oct. 21, 1866. Clarkson, now in charge of the home place, is a graduate of the college at Union Springs, and studied law, intending to make that his profession, but after the death of his father he gave up that profession and took charge of the farm, and to it is now giving his exclusive attention. He, like his father, is a great advocate of education, and is active in all general public improvements and progress, has acted as a Notary Public many years. Mr. Burgess was married Oct. 11, 1876, to Miss Mary, daughter of Dr. William Owens, a native of Pennsylvania, and he was a son of Robert Owens, who came to Ohio with his family when William was but a boy ; here he grew to manhood, studied medicine and became a practicing physician, which profession he followed through life. During the war of the rebellion he enlisted in the service, and while fortifying near Corinth he became overheated by work, from the effects of which he died, in 1862, having been in the service about nine months. The Doctor's family were remarkably patriotic—four of his brothers and three of his sons enlisted in the army, and served through the war, all returning safely home. Mary's mother was Elizabeth Whetzel, a daughter of William Whetzel, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio and settled in Clinton Co., in 1818, and soon after removed to Warren Co , where he died, aged 85 years. Elizabeth is still living in Clinton Co. Dr. Owens and wife had eight children, seven now survive—George, now in Kansas; Abi; John; Asa, now a Methodist minister; Mary, Daniel and Martha. Mrs. Mary Burgess is a graduate of the National Normal school, Lebanon, and was a successful and popular teacher for several years. We have here given a somewhat extended sketch of the Burgess family and ancestors, but we are conscious we have hardly done them justice in the brief space we have to devote to them, as they are numbered among the early pioneers, and from their intelligence and high moral standing ; their activity and usefulness, have ranked among the best citizens in the community in which they lived; and if their descendants will follow their example, and keep up the high moral standard of intelligence, Christian character and usefulness, then their lives and examples and their history will not have been in vain. |
NOTICE: All documents and electronic images placed on the Warren County OHGenWeb site remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. These documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or their legal representative, and contact the listed Warren County OHGenWeb coordinator with proof of this consent.
This page created 2 November 2005 and last updated
13 April, 2011
© 2005 Arne H Trelvik
All rights reserved