Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 772
GEORGE W. BURBANK

Born and reared in Canada until he was fifteen years of age, George W. BURBANK then came to the United States, and since the spring of 1879 has been aresident of Missouri Valley, Iowa. He started out when a young man to become an expert machinist and has been following this trade for nearly half a century. For the past 28 years, he hs been foreman of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company's machine shops at Missouri Valley, and bids fair to continue in the same position for years to come. He has been active in the civic, educational and religious life of his city and ranks as one of the public-spirited and enterprising men of the town where he has long made his home.

George W. BURBANK, the son of Luke and Sarah (COMBS) BURBANK, was born at Danville, Province of Quebec, Canada, December 5,1858. His parents, who were both natives of New Hampshire, after their marriage moved to Canada, where his father followed farming until his death. Twelve children were born to Luke BURBANK and wife, seven sons and five daughters, eight of whom are still living: M. C. of Missouri Valley, Iowa; Emily, the wife of R. McCloud of Ellis, Kansas; Mrs. M. A. Wade of Sedalia, Missouri; Mrs. James Willie, of St. Johnsbury, Vermont; M. F. a resident of Cherokee, Iowa; D. H. of Somerville, Massachusetts; W. H. of Danville, Canada; and George W. of Missouri Valley.

The boyhood days of George W. BURBANK were spent at Danville, Canada, where he received his elementary education and worked until he was fifteen years old. He then spent one summer at Portland, Maine, and from there went to Manchester, New Hampshire, where he started to learn the trade of a machinist. He lived in Manchester until 1870 and after his marriage in that summer, removed to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he lived for six years, following his trade as a machinist. In 1876 he moved with his family to Cherokee, Iowa, where he served as a stationary engineer for one year. His next employment found him in Sioux City, Iowa, where he followed his trade until March 1, 1879. At that time, he came to Missouri Valley as a journeyman machinist in the Chicago & Northwestern railroad shops. He worked hard and faithfully and efficiently, and his ability was recognized by his appointment in March 1887 as foreman of all the shops of the railroad company at that place. He has held this position continuously since his appointment in that year, a fact which speaks well for his good service.

Mr. BURBANK was married July 12, 1870 to Mattie C. NELSON, of Sutton, New Hampshire, where she was born and reared. They were married at Manchester, that state, and to their union five children have been born: Edna M., wife of W. G. Colthaid of Harrison County, Iowa; Geretrude, who died in infancy; Amy G., wife of A. E. Smith a druggist of Rockwell, Iowa; Clifford E., who married Ada Jones, the daughter of P. W. Jones, and is employed as a machinist in the railroad shops at Missouri Valley; and Winfield, who married Eva Farver, daughter of Mr. Farver of Little Sioux,Iowa, and also is employed as a machinist in the Missouri Valley railway shops, both having served their required time.

Mr. BURBANK has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1870, and a Mason since 1877. He has filled all of the chairs in both lodges and has been secretary of the Masonic lodge in Missouri Valley for a quarter of a century. He is a Republican in politics and has always taken an intelligent interest in political matters. For nine years, he was on the city council and for seven years he was an efficient member of the school board. The family give their support to the Presbyterian Church in whose welfare they take an active interest.

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