Biographies and Obituaries
In loving memory
John W. Burrell
History of Knox and Daviess Counties
Goodspeed Publishing Company 1886
JOHN W. BURRELL, undertaker, of Odon, Ind., was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, January 3, 1829, son of Richard T. and Margaret (Canestrick) Burrell, who were born in Maryland and Ohio, respectively. The father went to Ohio in his youth, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died in the prime of his life, in 1844. At the time of his death he owned seventy-five acres of land. The mother was of German descent, and died in 1832. Our subject lived with his people until he was eighteen years old, working on the farm and attending district school. In 1847 he began working as an apprentice at the cabinet-makers trade, continuing at that occupation many years. July 7, 1853, he wedded Sarah, daughter of Hughey and Ruth McCoy. She was born in Ohio, in March, 1837. To their union eight children were born, six of whom are living: James A., Richard T., Harley T., Samuel D., Henry H. and Anna M. (wife of William Odell). The children are all industrious and are doing well for themselves. Mr. Burrell settled in New Cumberland, Ohio, after marriage, where he lived four years, working at his trade. In 1858 he moved to Daviess County, Ind., and began farming. In 1863 he abandoned this occupation and moved to Odon, where he resumed his trade. A few years later he gave up this occupation and began the undertaker's business. In politics he is a Republican. He was constable of Madison Township for about two and one-half years, and supervisor for eight years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Contributed by: Michael L. Tedrow