History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, 1887



Burrows Family - SABIN H. BURROWS Biography

Sabin H. Burrows, treasurer of Burrows Bros. & Co. (Limited), manufacturers of chamber furniture, sideboards, etc.; also proprietors of an extensive general store, which is the leading industry of Picture Rocks, and which contributes greatly to the maintenance of the residents thereof, is a native of Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, born near Jones Lake, February 16, 1834. His parents were Amos and Mary(Melhuish) Burrows, and his grandfather on the paternal side was Amos Burrows, who conducted agricultural pursuits in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, where his death occurred.

Amos Burrows (father) came to Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, from Connecticut, and there followed the occupation of farmer until 1846, when he removed to Picture Rocks, Lycoming county. He then engaged in the planing mill business with A. R. Sprout, under the name of Sprout & Burrows, manufacturing sashes, doors, blinds, etc. They performed the work for the first building of the college at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. They conducted the business for a number of years, finally disposing of it to Lewis B. Sprout. Amos Burrows then engaged in business with his son, Sabin H. Burrows, and this connection continued up to the year of his decease, 1882. He married Mary Melhuish, who was born in England, came to America when eleven years of age, and died in 1884. Six children were the issue of this union, two of whom-daughters-died in Susquehanna county prior to their removal to Picture Rocks. The names of the others are as follows

1. Asa, died July 1, 1903. He resided in Picture Rocks, where he was a prominent manufacturer. He married and was the father of six children-three sons and three daughters. James, married Maggie Kahler, resides in Picture Rocks. Miriam, wife of Levi S. Weaver, resides in Picture Rocks. Catherine, wife of Ralph M. Clark, resides in Picture Rocks. Edgar, married Estella Alvred, resides in Picture Rocks. Howard W., married Lizzie Willis, resides in Picture Rocks. Fannie, wife of Alfred R. Heath, resides in Picture Rocks.

2. Sabin H., mentioned hereinafter.

3. Amos, a manufacturer in York, Pennsylvania. He married Martha Baldwin, and their children are: Harry, married Ida Feister, resides in Picture Rocks. Fred, unmarried, resides at home. Clarrissa, wife of W. E. Clark, resides in Hughesville, Pennsylvania.

4. Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of A. M. Cowles, and they resided in Picture Rocks. She was the mother of seven children, as follows : William H., married Lizzie Kreitzer, resides in Milton, Pennsylvania. Ralph C., married Minnie Villinger, resides in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Lewis, married Gertrude Gortner, resides in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Jennie, wife of A. L. Flook, resides in Montoursville, Pennsylvania. Pluma, wife of J. Corson, resides in Picture Rocks. Agnes, wife of Samuel Barrett, resides in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Carrie, unmarried, resides in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Amos Burrows, father and grandfather of the above named children, was a Baptist in religion, and a Whig and Republican in politics.

Sabin H. Burrows was twelve years of age when his parents removed from Susquehanna county to Picture Rocks, Lycoming county, and his education was acquired in the schools of both counties. He then hired out to Lewis B. Sprout, but his service with that gentleman was of short duration, he only working one-half day. Prior to this, for two years, between the ages of twenty and twenty-two, he taught school, for which vocation he was well qualified. Subsequently he began the manufacture of shingles, and also the manufacture of furniture, along which lines he is still engaged, being for over half a century in business at Picture Rocks. For the first few years he was alone in this enterprise; later his father became one of the firm, and subsequently his brother, Asa W. Burrows, was taken into partnership. The firm name then became Burrows Bros. & Co., which is the present style. The interests of Asa W. Burrows, now deceased, are continued by his heirs. In 1882 Sabin H. Burrows admitted his two sons-Charles W. and Judson H. Burrows-into the firm, the officers of which are: C. W. Burrows, president; J. H. Burrows, vice president; S. H. Burrows, treasurer; and R. M. Clark, secretary. Their general store, which is without an equal in this section of the state, is fully equipped with a complete line of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, crockery, hardware, etc., furnishes employment to a number of the people residing in that vicinity, and has been a prominent factor in the growth and development of that locality. In addition to these extensive interests Mr. Burrows is the proprietor of a large summer hotel at Highland Lake, which is largely patronized by those seeking recreation, pleasure or rest.

He has served as burgess of the village of Picture Rocks, also postmaster of the same, serving under the administration of the late President Garfield. He also served as postmaster at Highland Lake for many years, resigning in 1904. He was appointed to that office by John Wannamaker, who is one of his close personal friends. He holds membership in the Baptist church of Picture Rocks, in which body he has, served as deacon for many years. He is a staunch adherent of the principles of Republicanism, and has always given his support to the candidates of that party.

Mr. Burrows married, February, 1855, Mary Lockard, who was born near Bryans Mills, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth Lockard. Their children are: Earnest, died in early life; Adella, died in early life; Charles W., married Mary Corson, issue: Earnest, a student at Bucknell University; and Judson H., married Adella Clark, issue: four children, two of whom died in infancy; the surviving members are: Clyde, who married Irene Schuler, of Milton, and Cora Burrows.


Source: Genealogical and Personal History of Lycoming County, John W. Jordan, Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1906.










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