Adam Burr, farmer, resides in section 23, Madison
Township, where he owns 65 acres of good land. He came to this County
December 6, 1853, locating on the present farm, which he purchased from his
father who had preceded him to the County of few months. The father
purchased the farm of Jason Huniston. Here our subject commenced life in the
woods. He built a round log cabin, 18 x 20’, with a budget and stick
chimney, clapboard roof into windows. He lived in this cabin 19 years, then
built his hewed-log house with frame kitchen. His father, John H. Barr, was
born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, December 30, 1796. Losing his parents
at an early age, he was bound out, but being badly treated. He ran away and
enlisted in the war of 1812 in listing in the Virginia Militia, under Capt.
Hoskins. He drew a land warrant of 100 acres, but, died September 15, 1860
before the law was passed giving pensions to the survivors of that war.
He was married in Preble County, Ohio, in 1830, and then
went immediately back to Montgomery County, where he had previously located.
He worked in farming during the summer, and at shoemaking during the winter.
The mother, Susanna (Stover) Barr, was born in York County, Pennsylvania,
August 23, 1808, and removed to Montgomery County, Ohio, with her parents
went to years of age, where she was reared and Mary. She died December 25,
1881, and both are buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, near Salem, Indiana.
The father was a Presbyterian, and the mother, in later life United with the
Christian church, although she was formally a member of the Presbyterian
Church.
Mr. Burr was married November 9, 1857. To Sarah
E. Moore, who was born in Muskegon County, Ohio, August 23, 1839, and when
two years old, came to this County with her parents, who settled in Madison
Township on section 20, where they lived several years. Her father was born
in Ireland. In 1809 and came to America with his parents when a boy, the
family, settling in Muskegon County, Ohio, and coming to this County in
1853. He died in Randolph County, the state, in January, 1873. The mother
was also born in Ireland, in 1812, and is living with her eldest son, David,
in Fort Recovery. Mr. and Mrs. Barr have had nine children - Benjamin F.,
Born January 9, 1859; Melinda F., Born February 27, 1860; Susanna, born July
20, 1861; Rebecca J., Born April 20, 1864; William H., Born November 24,
1866; Sarah E., Born April 3, 1870; Ida C., Born may 25th 1872; Elnora E.,
born March 19, 1877; Charles, born October 22, 1892, died at five days.
Mr. Burr enlisted March 23, 1865, in Company E, 53rd
Indiana Infantry, and was discharged August 8, 1865. He joined his regiment
at Alexandria, while Sherman’s army was marching to Washington after the
surrender of Johnston, and participated in the grand review. His regiment
was sent to the Louisville to be mustered out, receiving their discharge
Indianapolis.
Mr. Burr then returned home and has since
been engaged in farming. His grandfather Barr died before his son, John (the
father of Adam), was born, and his grandmother died before the father was
two weeks old. His maternal grandparents, Adam and Barbara (Berkheimer)
Stover, were born in Germany, and died in German Township, Montgomery
County, Ohio; neither could speak a word of English. Mrs. Barr’s
grandparents, James and Sarah (Thompson) Moore, were born in Ireland, and
both died in Eastern Ohio. They are buried in Muskegon County, as are also
Mr. Burr’s parents. Mr. Burr served as Township trustee two terms and as
assessor one term.
Biographical and Historical Record Jay
County, Indiana
Lewis Publishing Company, 1887
Transcribed by Jim Cox
Buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery