Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 662 - 663

FRANK P. BURWELL. There are numerous fine farms in this county which will compare favorably with any others in the State as regards production and also as to the improvements which have been made upon them. Many of these places are owned by men comparatively young in years, who started in the world with but little more than an unlimited amount of energy and perseverance, and who are succeeding to an eminent degree in building up a comfortable home upon the Kansas plains. As a representative of this class of agriculturists, great pleasure is taken in presenting the name of the subject of this notice, who is living on section 8, in Illinois Township.

             Mr. Burwell made his advent into this world Dec. 31, 1859, in Edgar County, Ill., at the home of his parents, John and Hannah (McCrumb) Burwell. Sketches of the latter appear elsewhere in the pages of this ALBUM, for which the reader is referred to the biography of John C. Burwell. Our subject received the elements of a most excellent education in his early years, both in the district schools and in the High School of his native county, and was reared beneath the paternal roof, surrounded by all the sweet influences of home and a mother's love. After two visits paid to the State of Kansas in his boyhood, in 1867, 1870, and in 1877, when a young man of eighteen, he again came to Kansas, to Harvey County, and in July, 1878, repeated the action, and in 1881 came to Sedgwick County, from his Illinois home, and has remained a resident of this locality ever since. In September of that year he commenced farming on his own account, although he was then but a young man of twenty-two years of age.

             The hero of our personal narrative was married in the bright springtime of his youth, June 16, 1881, to Miss Ida B. Berry, a native of Coles County, Ill., born April 27, 1861, and daughter of William and Ann (Haller) Berry. A biographical sketch of her parents is given in the history of Odell Berry, in the pages of this volume, to which the reader is referred. Mr. Burwell and his young bride settled down upon their farm in Illinois Township, and commenced the duties of life with bold and happy hearts. Success has crowned most of his efforts, and the angels of love and happiness abide around the fireside of his comfortable and beloved home. His residence is neat and substantial, with most beautiful surroundings, and upon his farm of 160 acres he has set out an orchard of young and thrifty trees, including many mulberries, and his garden in proper season overflows with small fruit.

             The hearts of our subject and his wife have been gladdened by the birth of four children, and their happy house resounds with the pattering feet of joyous children. The names of the little ones, and their natal days, are as follows: Charles W., who was born March 30, 1882; Frank Clifford, whose birth occurred Nov. 5, 1883; John Amos, who made his advent Sept. 8, 1885, and Mary Ella Etta, who was brought into this world Oct. 23, 1887. Their mother, who is the incarnation of all domestic virtues, is rearing the little folks under the happiest auspices, and with the fondest care, remembering the old adage, that "As the twig is bent, so the tree's inclined."

             Politically, Mr. Burwell is an adherent to the principles of Jeffersonian Democracy, and although not an office-seeker, he has been induced to serve as a member of the School Board for one year. He is an intelligent, energetic and industrious citizen, and bids fair to take a very prominent place in the community in which he lives. Both he and his estimable wife preserve the warmest esteem of the entire neighborhood for their many admirable virtues, and for their genial manners.

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