Obituary for M. T. Burwell (1844-1908) Number 2

OBITUARY
M. T. Burwell

 

The funeral of the late M. T. Burwell of Colorado City, Colo., was held at the Methodist church in this city last Sunday.  The remains arrived Saturday, accompanied by his wife, his two sons, Guy of Kansas City, Mo., and Thomas of Colorado City, and his daughter, Mrs. Mary Burns and husband of Topeka, Kansas.  The services were conducted by Rev. F. A. McCarty.  The body was laid to rest in the Gibson cemetery by the grave of his first wife.

Moses Thorp Burwell was born near Columbus, Ohio, July 16, 1844 and died near Garden City, Kansas,  Mar. 10, 1908, aged 63 years, 7 months and 24 days.  When a boy he came to Illinois with his parents and settled at Oakland, where he grew to manhood.  He was married on Oct. 5, 1865 to Miss Isabella Goodfellow in Clark county, Ohio.  He came with his bride to Paris, Ill., where he engaged in business.  Later he removed to Champaign, and then to Fisher, where he bought and managed a large farm.

From Fisher he moved to the new village of Gibson in the early seventies, and in 1872 established the first banking house of the town, beginning business in a little wooden building on North Sangamon Avenue, which was only torn down last year.  Mr. Burwell remained in Gibson until 1882.  He then sold his interest in the bank, and it became the property of Mattinson, Wilson & Company.  This bank is now known as the First National Bank of Gibson.

In those early village days Mr. Burwell was interested in a number of commercial enterprises in Gibson, and he is still remembered as one of the pioneer business men of this community.  He was always a man of large affairs, energetic, ambitious and resourceful, and was a prominent factor in the upbuilding of Gibson.

When he severed his business interests with Gibson Mr. Burwell moved to Denver, Colorado.  Later he returned to Illinois, and together with Mr. Whitmer and Mr. McDowell organized the Bloomington Canning Company.  In 1892 he moved from Bloomington to Kansas, and the last seven years of his life were spent at Colorado City, Colorado, where he was interested in a number of financial enterprises.

Mrs. Burwell died in March 1898.  Mr. Burwell was married to Mrs. Emma Isham of Kansas City, Mo., Aug. 15, 1901, who survives him.  There were eight children born of his first marriage.  Two died in infancy, and Mrs. Nettie Burwell Henry died in 1904.  Those still living are William J. of Kansas City, Thomas F. of Colorado City, Moses T. of Almosa, Colo., Mrs. Mary Burns of Topeka, Kan., and Guy F. of Kansas City.  Mr. Burwell is also survived by three brothers and one sister, as follows: Amos Burwell of Butler, O., John of Newton, Kan., Frank of LaJunta, Colo., and Mrs. Mary Warden of Oakland, Ill.

Mr. Burwell was a member of the Methodist church.  He was converted to God in young manhood, and all through his life he was faithful to the church of his choice.  He was an energetic church worker, and contributed largely by his zeal, service and means to the upbuilding of the Gibson church during his residence here.

Besides the wife and three of the children mentioned above, the following from out of town were present at the funeral: Mrs. Mary Warden of Oakland, Peter Whitmer and son Ira of Bloomington, and Mrs. Kneil of Colfax (formerly of Colorado City).

Source: Burwell/Tate Family Papers, 1850-1930 (K0233), Folder 1. Burwell family scrapbook and photo album, 1879-1908, photocopied.*  From Gibson City, Illinois newspaper.  The funeral was held on March 15, 1908 in Gibson City, Illinois. 

*BURWELL-TATE FAMILY PAPERS, 1850-1930 (K0233), The State Historical Society of Missouri, 800 East 51st Street, 306 Miller Nichols Library UMKC, Kansas City, MO 64110.