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.
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
- ^ a b c d A General History of the Burr Family, pp. 492–493.
- ^ a b c The Bench and Bar of Illinois, pp. 1099–1101.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois, pp. 666–667.
- ^ Prominent Democrats of Illinois, pp. 26, 28.
- ^ a b History of Jersey County, Illinois, p. 123.
- ^ 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.
External links
- United States Congress. "Albert G. Burr (id: B001134)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Albert G. Burr at Find a Grave
- Albert G. Burr at The Political Graveyard
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