ROBERT NELSON PURDY, 01 Jan 1824 - 12 Aug 1906

   Robert Purdy was born 1824 in Canada.  His boyhood days were 
spent on a farm near the shore of Lake Ontario, where he acquired a 
love for the great lake, and boats were his especial delight which 
never left him.  His love for natural beauty was intense and he gave 
true worship at the shrine of nature, but as conditions at that time 
were not favorable for farming, he followed the inclination of his 
mind and became a master mechanic, skilled in all the mysteries of 
the art.  In fact, Mr. Purdy could do nothing in a half-hearted way.  
Perfection was his aim, wrought out by mathematical principles his 
only guide, as all his work proved.
   In 1848 he came to the United States to follow his trade.  In 
1851 he was united in marriage to Eliza Benschoten, of Berlin, Erie 
Co., Ohio.  Two years later they went to Wisconsin, after spending 
two years there they returned to Berlin, Ohio.  In 1859 they went to 
Mr. Purdy's native home in Canada.  They returned again to Berlin, 
and on the 18th of February, 1850, Mr. Purdy declared his intention 
of becoming a citizen of the United States, and a certificate to 
that effect was issued by the court of Erie county.
   In March, 1861, he came with his family to Orland, where he made 
his home until his death.
   Mrs, Eliza Purdy departed this life September 1868, leaving Mr. 
Purdy to the care of six children.
   Two years later he married Mrs. Mary Beach, of Perkins, Erie Co., 
Ohio, who is left alone in the home in a very feeble condition, aged 
78 years.
   Mr. Purdy worked every weekday until he was past 81 years of age.  
Many a day he went to his work when he was obliged to stop and rest 
by the way.  The energy of his will power was truly remarkable.  
When at last he was obliged to give up his work he had several 
unfinished boats in his shop.  In February he was taken to the home 
of his son, Howard Purdy, east of town, thinking the change might 
benefit him.  For a short time he seemed to rally, but gradually 
sank into a slow but sure decline.  He passed quietly away on the 
evening of August 12, 1906. Funeral at the home of his son, Tuesday, 
August 14, burial at Green Lawn cemetery.
   Mr. Purdy was a quiet peaceable man who attended strictly to his 
own business; honest in all his dealings; he was a great reader, an 
intelligent, courteous gentleman an affectionate father, dearly 
loved by his children.
   He was a member of the Orland order of F. & A.M.  His religious 
views were conscientious and sacred to him.  He believed implicitly 
in a future life, and when he slept that sleep earth calls Death, he 
would awaken in the enjoyment of a new being and a higher life.  
Children were his particular friends and many a boy can remember the 
bows and arrows he made for them as well as toy boats and other 
boyish treasures.  No child ever went to him in trouble that he did 
not comfort and make happy. Two sons and three daughters remain to 
cherish with tenderest memories a good father who was devoted to 
them and ever ready to help them at all times and in all ways.
  
The above information was found in book #15 in the black notebook 
collection, #1 through #22, compiled by Audree Siebel Lewis, located 
at the Steuben county Library, Reference section, Angola, Indiana.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

   Robert Nelson Purdy, 01 Jan 1824 -12 Aug 1906, son of James and 
Matilda (Holt) Purdy.  Robert married 1st, Eliza S. (VanBenschoten) 
Purdy, 1830 - 1867/68 (1867 on headstone).  His 2nd wife was Mary 
Beach.

Children:

   Tacy(?) Ann Purdy, 26 Sep 1852 - 18 Dec 1877, married Charles D. 
Williams.
   Wilton Graham Purdy, 10 Aug 1854 - 05 Aug 1855.
   Jennie H. (Purdy) Gifford, 26 Mar 1856 - 01 Sep 1941, married 
Horace B. Gifford.
   Corena (Purdy) Norton, 15 May 1858 - 11 Sep 1928, married Orin 
Norton, 26 Sep 1856 - 06 Sep 1924.
   Wilton Ernest Purdy, 04 Nov 1859 - 07 Feb 1944, married Hattie 
(Robinson) Purdy.
   Iona L. (Purdy) Richardson, 232 Mar 1862 - 12 Apr 1908, was the 
1st wife of Charles Edward Richardson, 1866 - 1936.
   Howard Eugene Purdy, 01 Apr 1865 - 06 Jan 1959, married Lydia 
Ordelia (Stayner) Purdy, 28 Aug 1866 - 19 Nov 1941. 

"Cemeteries of Steuben Co., Ind., 1990" by Audree Siebel Lewis, Vol. 
II, pages 1367, 1474, 1475, 1513, 1514.

Submitted by Mona Hilden-Beckwith
e-mail:  hilbeck123@att.net