- AUSTIN E. BURPEE, a lumber merchant of Janesville, was born
in the town of Cornwall,
- Canada, May 8, 1829, during the temporary residence of his
parents in that place. His father was born in Templeton, in
Worcester Co., Mass., in 1794, and his mother was born in the
town of Sterling, Mass., in 1795. Both were descended from old
New England families, which were founded in America prior to
the War of the Revolution, in which members of both branches
participated in the great struggle for American independence.
The father, whose Christian name was Elijah, was of French descent,
and the mother, whose maiden names was Myra BAILEY, was born
of English parentage and was a lineal descendant of the BAILEY
family, so prominent in the history of New England.
- The subject of this sketch was reared in Mount Morris, Livingston
Co., N.Y., and received his
- primary education in the public schools of that village,
supplemented by a few terms at the Academy at Nunda, in the same
county and State. His father, who was a furniture dealer was
for many years engaged in business in Mount Morris. Under his
instruction, Austin learned the same business, and in 1849, at
Danville, N.Y., commenced business for himself in that line.
In 1853 he removed to Hornellsville, in the same State, where
he resumed business, and there resided one year, after which
he came to Janesville, and has since then made this city his
home.
- On coming to Janesville, he commenced business as a carpenter
and contractor, and continued in
- that line until 1864. In 1863 he served as City Assessor,
and in 1865 received the appointment of under Sheriff of Rock
County. The same year he was appointed Deputy United States
Marshal, in which position he served for several years and in
1866 received the appointment of Internal Revenue Inspector,
his district comprising the Second Congressional District, and
later the Fifth and Sixth Districts. In 1868 the law was changed
in regard to the duties of revenue inspector, and Mrs. BURPEE
was then appointed Revenue Agent for the State of Wisconsin.
For six years he served in that office, discharging its duties
honestly and fearlessly. During the succeeding year and a half
he was engaged in no regular business. He then commenced the
manufacture of cotton-batting, and continued in that business
until 1879, when he sold out, and in company with A. P. LOVEJOY,
purchased the lumber business of FIFIELD Bros. Ninety days later
he purchased his partner's interest, and has conducted the business
alone with good success since that time.
- At Danville, N.Y., July 2, 1850, Mr. BURPEE was united in
marriage with Miss Eliza F.
- CHAPIN, a native of Saratoga County, N.Y., and daughter of
Jerry and Mary P. CHAPIN. Five children were born to them, three
of whom died in infancy. One son, George L., born Jan. 19, 1861,
died April 1, 1880; Fred C., the only surviving child, born Oct.
14, 1865 is now a practicing attorney in Janesville. He wedded
Miss Mattie C. BARKER, a daughter of Edwin BARKER, an old settler
and highly esteemed citizen of Rock County.
- In politics Mr. BURPEE is independent in the true sense of
the word. Believing firmly in the
- celebrated maxim of President Cleveland that "a public
office is a public trust," he discharged the duties of every
office which he has filled as he deemed best for the public good,
and not for partisan purposes.
- While not classed among its distinctive pioneers, Mr. BURPEE
has now been a resident of
- Janesville for about thirty-five years, and is numbered among
its respected citizens, one who has always been faithful to the
best interests of his adopted city, ready at all times to do
his part in advancing any enterprise for the public good. As
such he deserves a place among those who have placed Rock County
first among all the counties comprising the great State of Wisconsin.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 559-560.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|