Albert G. Burr

Albert George Burr (November 8, 1829 – June 10, 1882) was a United States representative in Congress from the state of Illinois for two terms, the 40th and 41st Congresses (serving from March 4, 1867, until March 3, 1871). He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Albert G. Burr
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 10th district
In office
March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1871
Preceded byAnthony Thornton
Succeeded byEdward Y. Rice
Judge of the Circuit Court for the Seventh District of Illinois
In office
1877–1882
Preceded byNone (Position created)
Succeeded byGeorge W. Herdman
Chairman of the Illinois Democratic State Committee
In office
June 15, 1870 – June 26, 1872
Preceded byJohn Alexander McClernand
Succeeded byCyrus McCormick
Personal details
Born(1829-11-08)November 8, 1829
Genesee County, New York
DiedJune 10, 1882(1882-06-10) (aged 52)
Carrollton, Illinois
Resting placeCarrollton, Illinois
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Alicia A. Anderson
Mary Harlan
Children5
ProfessionAttorney

Biography

He was born near Batavia, New York, on November 8, 1829, the son of George Washington Burr and Phoebe (Sweet) Burr.[1] His father had left New York for Illinois earlier that year, intending to begin a homestead and then return for his family, but he disappeared under circumstances that were never solved.[1][2]

Burr's mother moved the family to Sangamon County, Illinois in 1830.[2][3] Burr had to begin working as a child in order to help support the family, and his youth included a job in a brickyard and other manual labor.[2] He was largely self-taught, and after completing his education and receiving his teaching qualification, he taught school for several years in Vandalia.[3] In 1850, he moved to Winchester, Illinois, where he worked as a merchant and studied law.[3] He was admitted to the bar in 1856 and commenced practice in Winchester.[3]

A Democrat, he served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1861 to 1864.[3] In 1862, he was a delegate to the state constitutional convention.[3] In 1866 he won election to Congress, and he served two terms, 1867 to 1871.[3] He did not run for re-election in 1870 and resumed the practice of law in Carrollton.[1] In June 1870, Burr was elected chairman of the Illinois Democratic State Committee, and he served until 1872.[4]

In 1877, the Seventh District of the Illinois Circuit Court was expanded from two judges to three.[5] Burr was elected to the new position, and served until his death.[5]

Death and burial

Burr died in Carrollton on June 10, 1882,[3] and was buried at Carrollton City Cemetery.[6]

Family

Burr's first wife was Alicia A. Anderson, with whom he had two children, Louis and Lucy.[3] After his first wife's death, Burr married Mary Harlan (1837–1913).[3] They were the parents of three children, Mary, Albert, and William.[1]

References
  1. A General History of the Burr Family, pp. 492–493.
  2. The Bench and Bar of Illinois, pp. 1099–1101.
  3. History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois, pp. 666–667.
  4. Prominent Democrats of Illinois, pp. 26, 28.
  5. History of Jersey County, Illinois, p. 123.
  6. Where They're Buried, p. 167.

Sources

Books
  • Continental Historical Company (1885). History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois. Roodhouse, IL: Daily Eye Book Printing House.
  • Hamilton, Oscar Brown (1919). History of Jersey County, Illinois. Chicago, IL: Munsell Publishing Company. albert g. burr greene county.
  • Palmer, John McAuley (1899). The Bench and Bar of Illinois. Vol. II. Chicago, IL: Lewis Publishing Company.
  • Spencer, Thomas E. (1998). Where They're Buried. Baltimore, MD: Clearfield Company. p. 167. ISBN 978-0-8063-4823-0.
  • Todd, Charles Burr (1891). A General History of the Burr Family, with a Genealogical Record from 1193 to 1891. New York, NY: Knickerbocker Press.
  • Prominent Democrats of Illinois. Chicago, IL: Democrat Publishing Co. 1899.


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