William J. Burrell. There is probably no better type of farmer in Nittany Valley, nor a more exemplary citizen in Clinton county than William J. Burrell, who represents a family that early settled in this section of Pennsylvania, and played well their part through long and busy lives.
Born December 20, 1844, on the farm where he now resides,...Mr. Burrell is the son on Samuel and Lydia (Ilgen) Burrell, the Burrells being of French extraction. Samuel Burrell was born about 1807 in Northumberland county, Penn. He was one of two sons who were left orphans in early boyhood. Samuel was bound out, and at the age of twelve years came to Centre county in company of brother John Burrell and wife. For some time both brothers followed the mason's trade, and in company with George Ilgen they purchased a tract of timber land on Egg Hill, where John Burrell cleared a farm and built a home for himself. Samuel Burrell on coming to Centre county brought with him, tied in a handkerchief, all of his effects. After learning his trade with his brother, he worked at it for years and assisted in building many of the barn walls in that region. He helped to build the old stone mill yet standing at Clintondale, Clinton county. He was married near Aaronsburg, Centre county, and resided for some years near Penn Hall were he owned a small farm of forty acres. His wife, who was the daughter of a pioneer preacher, whose name was a household word in many of the homes of the early residents of Central Pennsylvania--Rev. Ilgen--was born near Aaronsburg in Penn's Valley in about the year 1810.
The children of Samuel Burrell and wife were: John I. became a very prominent Lutheran minister, died while serving a charge in Brooklyn, NY., and is buried in Greenwood cemetery in that city; Samuel P. (deceased) was a farmer of Lamar township, Clinton county; Mary L., is the widow of J. Kleckner, and resides at Sugar Valley, Clinton county; Anna L., was the wife of Rev . E. Studebaker, and died in Huntingdon county, Penn; Margaret R. died after reaching maturity, unmarried; Leah E. became the wife of Rev . Burke, and died at Baltimore, Md.; Lydia was marred to Prof. W. W. Herr, and died at Salona, Clinton county; William J. is our subject; Lames L.A. was a physician, and died at Williamsport, Penn.; Laura J, is Mrs. George Buffington, of Lycoming county; Charles W., after graduating at Pennsylvania College, went to Los Angeles, Cal., where he now resides.
....This farm, mainly cleared and improved by the father (Samuel Burrell), became one of the best and most productive farms in Nittany Valley, and on a part of it he passed to his final rest May 12, 1883. His wife preceded him many years, she dying October 18, 1862. Both rest in Cedar Hill cemetery, Lamar township.
Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Pgs 670-671