Bio: Burgess, Chester Hamilton (1827- 1915)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: BURGESS LUNT BOWEN BRITTEN NORTHUP GRIBBEN BOON HANNAH PLUMMER

Sources: History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918), Federal Census Reports, Family Records.

                                         Mr. & Mrs. Chester H. Burgess

CHESTER HAMILTON BURGESS, in former years one of the representative citizens of Beaver Township, was born in Boonville, Oneida County, N. Y., Dec. 25, 1827. There he secured his education and grew to manhood. At the age of 20 years, or thereabouts, he went to Mendon, Monroe County, N. Y., where he engaged in farming and also worked on the Erie Canal. On Jan. 1, 1850, he was married to Amy Lunt, who was born in Mendon, N. Y., Dec. 25, 1831, her birthday being on Christmas Day like his own, though with a difference of four years between their respective ages.

In 1853 Mr. Burgess came west with his family to Fond du Lac County, Wis., where he bought a farm and was engaged in agriculture until 1862. In that year he enlisted in Company B, Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry, becoming color bearer of his regiment, and serving with distinction until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged and returned to Fond du Lac County. Immediately afterwards, however, he moved to Iowa, in which state he resided for two years, then returning to Fond du Lac County, Wis. In June, 1870, he came with his family to Clark County, making the journey directly overland with a horse team, and on his arrival here took a homestead of 160 acres in Beaver Township, consisting of wild and heavily timbered land. On this tract he built a log shanty with a bark roof and puncheon floor, and then began the work of clearing his land. This was necessarily an arduous task, but he applied himself to it resolutely and continued it through many years, also in time erecting a good frame house, barns and out buildings, until he had a well-developed and profitable farm and was recognized as one of the representative citizens of his township. For several years he rendered efficient service as chairman of the town board, by virtue of that office being also a member of the board of county commissioners.

In 1913 Mr. Burgess sold his farm and with his wife took up his residence in the village of Unity, where two years later, on Jan. 12, 1915, he passed away at the ripe old age of 87 years, loved, honored and respected. His wife is now residing with his daughter, Mrs. Edward F. Bowen, at Marshfield, Wis., and has the distinction of being mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother. During the active period of her life she is a member of the Rebekah branch of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. To Mr. and Mrs. Chester H. Burgess four children were born, of whom, Harriet Ann, born Oct. 15, 1851, and Rosetta, born Nov. 3, 1855, each died at the age of 18 years. The two survivors are Mary Luvina and George. Mary Luvina, who was born Oct. 21, 1853, was married July 4, 1871, in her father's log cabin, in Beaver Township, to Edward Bowen. They farmed in Beaver Township until about 1888, when they moved to the village of Unity, where for three years they were owners and proprietors of the Forrest House. Subsequently they removed to Marshfield Wis., where they are now living practically retired. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen have had one child, Nettie Jane, who married Lewis Dodge, has two children, Lisle and Evonne. Lisle married Helen Asp and has one child, Delphine. George Burgess, who was born Mar. 3, 1871, married Clara Britten and resides in Unity village. He and his wife have two children, Doris and Mildred, of whom Doris married Albert A. Coey, Fond du Lac, Wis. The members of the Burgess family in general attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Research Notes

1860 - Found Harden (b. 1801 in NY) and Sally (1806 in NY) Burgess living in Auburn, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin on page 47.
Chester and Amy are found on page 45 of the census.

Related Links

Obit: Burgess, Chester Hamilton (1828 - 1915)

Obit: Burgess, Chester H. #2 (1828 - 1915)

Chester Burgess is also featured in the book, "Civil War Soldiers in the heart of Clark Co., Wisconsin."

Contributors

Deb Sanger, Janet Schwarze & The Clark Co., WI History Buffs.