BIO: Samuel BURRELL, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ SAMUEL BURRELL. When one reaches the age of three-score and ten there can be no more keener satisfaction than that given by a review of a life of usefulness, spent in contented labor in one's appointed sphere, and marked by the approval of one's own conscience and the respect and affection of those with whom one's lot has been cast. To an agricultural worker living "close to Nature's heart," such a retrospect must show long years of peaceful routine toil, and assuredly this is the case with the subject of this sketch, who in a hale and hearty old age is now living in retirement at Penn Hall, Centre county. Mr. Burrell is a native of George's Valley, Centre county, born March 22, 1827. His father, John Burrell, a native of Shamokin, Penn., 246 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Born April 20, 1798, was married in early manhood at Sunbury, Penn., to Miss Rachel McKinney, daughter of Abraham McKinney. They came to George's Valley soon after this event, accompanied by Samuel Burrell, an uncle of our subject. For some time both brothers followed the mason's trade, which they had previously learned, and, in company with George Ilgen, they purchased a tract of timbered land on Egg Hill, where John Burrell cleared a farm and built a home for himself. Samuel finally settled in Nittany Valley, and, giving up his trade, followed farming exclusively until his death. John Burrell continued his trade for many years, the work of his farm being left to others while he was thus employed. He often had a large force of men at work for him, and he was himself a most industrious man. Although not remarkably tall, he was known as "Big John Burrell," because of his great muscular power, his feats of lifting at "raisings" being extraordinary. Despite his hard work he never accumulated much, but at the time of his death he had a comfortable home and 175 acres of land, practically clear of indebtedness. For some years previous to his death he had devoted his attention to farming. He was much given to driving a fractious team, and was considered an excellent horseman; but on December 19, 1856, while returning from a trip to Bellefonte with a load of mill feed, he stopped at Spring Mills and loosened his horses, intending to lead them to the mill, but a short distance away. They took fright at something, and made a spring which broke the bridle bit, so that he was thrown under their hoofs and so injured that he died the following day at 10 A.M. His remains were interred in the cemetery in George's Valley. He was a man of prominence in the locality, and a leading member of the Lutheran Church, holding various offices and contributing liberally to the work of the society. Politically he was a Whig, but his abolition principles led him to enter the Republican party on its organization, and at the election just prior to his death he voted for Fremont. Our subject was the eldest child of John and Rachel Burrell. Of the other children by this marriage: (2) John went to Illinois, and during the Civil war enlisted from that State, and was wounded. He returned home, but later rejoined the army, and in May, 1864, he met a soldier's death. (3) Mary A. married Jacob Breon, of Altoona, Penn. (4) A. Gregg is a farmer in Gregg township, Centre county. (5) David, who served in the Civil war in the 148th P. V. I., is a mason at Centre Hall. (6) Rebecca (Mrs. James Yeakley) resides at Cleveland, Ohio. (7) William H. H. enlisted in the 148th P. V. I., and was killed at Gettysburg. The mother of this family died in 1844, and was buried in Heckman Cemetery, and for his second wife the father married Mrs. Polly (Gill) Dunkle, widow of Jacob Dunkle. She died in 1889. The children of this union were: Thomas, who died in infancy, and Eliza, now Mrs. Benjamin Smith, of Bellefonte. The free-school system had not been inaugurated when the subject of this sketch was a boy, and he attended only the subscription schools of the day, a Mr. Kannedy being his first teacher. As the eldest son he was obliged to assist in the farm work from an early age, and owing to his father's frequent absences, while working at his trade, much responsibility devolved upon him. In those days farm labor was not lightened by machinery, and there was plenty to do the year round. Before Mr. Burrell attained his majority he learned the mason's trade, working first under his father's direction, and completing his apprenticeship with "Big John Emerick." When he came of age he began working at his trade on his own account. In November, 1848, he was married in George's Valley to Miss Lydia Hettinger, who was born in Haines township, Centre county, in August, 1829, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Bartges) Hettinger. For the first year after his marriage Mr. Burrell lived at the home of his father-in-law, farming, and working at his trade. He then rented a farm in Haines township, and at the end of seven years had saved $250, and acquired also a lot of farming implements, mostly of a cheap grade, purchased second hand at sales in the neighborhood, and stocked the farm. At this time he bought the farm which he had been renting, and having but a small proportion of the purchase price, he went in debt to secure the place. Industry, thrift, and shrewd management enabled him to pay the obligation, and in the spring of 1881, he bought another farm, the "Old David Musser farm," in Gregg township, Centre county, contracting at debt of $7,000, which he also paid off in due time. He has retained both estates, and is now possessed of a fine competence. In the spring of 1891 he removed to Penn Hall, where he owns a comfortable home; but although he is supposed to have retired from active business, he may be found almost any day working as busily as if his livelihood depended upon his efforts, his industrious habits not losing their force with advancing years. Mr. and Mrs. Burrell have had six children: John, who died at twenty- two years of age; Polly M., now Mrs. David Gentzel, of California; COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 247 Harriet, now Mrs. Samuel Ulrich, of Millheim; Mary, now Mrs. John Wagner, of Haines township; Ida, at home; and Speer, a farmer of Gregg township. Mr. Burrell was a Democrat until recent years, but he now votes the Prohibition ticket from principle. He has always been active in local affairs, and has served as a supervisor of both Gregg and Haines townships. He served three times as judge of election in Haines township, and was also overseer of the poor there. He and his wife are both devout members of the Lutheran Church, in which he is at present an elder. Years ago he began to give $30 a year to foreign missionary work, and added $5.00 each year until the donation became $105, when he dropped back to $100, and this amount he has given annually for several years. In addition to this, he has always given liberally to other branches of Church work. His time has been bestowed freely in the same good cause, and for twenty years he was either superintendent or assistant superintendent of the Sabbath-school at Pine Creek School House, in Haines township, Centre county. The following is a copy of the original pass, from Germany to America, given to Antonius Bourrell, ancestor of our subject: We, the graciously appointed magistrate of His Serene Highness, the Duke of Wittenburg, in the princely borough and ducal village of Dornsletter, hereby announce and affirm to all whom it may concern to read this that - Whereas Antonius Bourrell, burger and tailor of said borough, and legitimate son of Paul Bourrell, late burger of Perrose, duly declared to us that he was determined, with the help of God and in the hope of a fairer fortune, to emigrate to the territories of America, there to settle in domestic life, and - Whereas he confirmed testimony as to his legitimacy with freedom and conduct and in due form requires us to give him the necessary certificate therefore; and - Whereas we deem his desire to be fully justified and in account with the most recent laws of the Kingdom - Therefore, for the sake of truth and for the love of it by means of this open public letter, and in virtue of our present office we declare of the aforesaid Antonius Bourrell from evidence placed before us, from the Church and Baptismal register that he was begotten in lawful wedlock of the aforementioned Paul Bourrell and of his lawful wife, Anna Felicetas, as true and natural parents, that he was born into the world on the 5th of May, in the year 1716, and was brought to holy baptism here. Thus, that no reproach can be brought against his family, and its posterity, but rather that a true and honorable birth is his, and that he was never held in servitude by any man. Furthermore as far as we know he has conducted himself in daily life and deed in such wise that we can testify all things kind, honorable and good of him. To all magistrates, high and low, our humble and dutiful request is that they will be pleased to receive Antonius Bourrell kindly and graciously together with his 25-year-old wife, Anna Maria Barbara Hindemachin, and their three children, Johannes, aged ten; Christina, seven, and Elizabeth seven years, professors of the Lutheran faith, and in servitude to no man. In consequence of these present we desire that they (the family) be indeed permitted to enjoy prosperity. Such service we will requite gladly, and as in duty bound all cases of a similar, or of any other nature, and further testimony whereof we have begged and interested the worthiest, the most learned and venerable of His Serene Highness' bailiffs, Mr. Ludwig Achatius Wohren, openly to affix hereunto his seal of office. Given in Dornstetter, the 12th of May, 1752. Ducal Wurtemburgish, bailiff and officers in Durnstetter. [Signed] LUDWIG ACHATIUS WOHREN.