The Stanwood Family

From Colonial New England to Minnesota, learn about the Stanwoods and related families.

Home Search Login  
Share Print Bookmark


John Morris BURSLEY

John Morris BURSLEY

Male 1842 - 1921  (79 years)

Personal Information    |    Media    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name John Morris BURSLEY 
    Birth 10 Jan 1842  Lagrange, Penobscot, Maine, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Gender Male 
    Census 15 Aug 1850  [2] 
    Census 21 Oct 1857  Bedford, Wright, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Census Jun 1860  Monticello, Wright, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Military Enlistment 23 Oct 1861  Hennepin, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Fort Snelling 
    Census 1865  Monticello, Wright, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Military Discharge 19 Jul 1865  Louisville, Kentucky, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Census Aug 1870  Santiago, Sherburne, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Census 1 May 1875  Santiago, Sherburne, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    News 30 Oct 1886  Jamestown, Stutsman, North Dakota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    News 28 May 1903  Santiago, Sherburne, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [10] 
    News 16 Mar 1905  Santiago, Sherburne, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    Residence 1906  Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [12] 
    • Soldier's Home
    Residence 1907  Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [13] 
    • Soldier's Home
    Residence 1908  Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [14] 
    • Soldier's Home
    Residence 1909  Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [15] 
    • Soldier's Home
    News 1 Jul 1909  Princeton, Mille Lacs, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [16] 
    Census 30 Apr 1910  Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [17] 
    Census 4 May 1910  Stuntz, St. Louis, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [18] 
    News 29 May 1910  Princeton, Mille Lacs, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [19] 
    • John Bursley was on deck, as usual. He came down from Floodwood on Monday morning on purpose to be present at the ceremonies. John is a patriot with a big P.
    Residence 1911  Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [20] 
    • Soldier's Home
    Residence 1912  Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [21] 
    • Soldier's Home
    News 1 Jan 1914  Port Orchard, Kitsap, Washington, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [22] 
    • National Soldiers' Home, William Russell and wife and John Bursley and wife, who are now inmates of the national soldiers' home at Port Orchard, Wash., former residents of Princeton, asked G.W. Harter, when he visited them a short time ago, to remember them to their friends here, and John Bursley stated, with tears streaming down his cheeks, that he only wished he was back in his little Santiago home again.
    Residence Between 1916 and 1917  Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [23] 
    • boarder, 711 S 9th
    News 15 Nov 1917  Princeton, Mille Lacs, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [24] 
    • As one from the dead old John Bursley dropped into the Union office last Saturday as saucy, fat and talkative as ever. John has been in the state of Washington since 1911, and we were sorry to learn his wife died there last May.-Mr. Bursley is a veteran of the civil war, having enlisted as a volunteer in the Fourth Minn. Inf. when it was organized and was a member of the regiment when it was mustred (sic) out in 1865. The regiment participated in many hard-fought battles and has a splendid record, and John Bursley contributed his full share toward the making of that record.-After the war Mr. Bursley settled in Santiago, Sherburne county, where he resided for many years, and was well known to all the old settlers of Princeton and vicinity. He never accumulated any great amount of this world's goods, was somewhat radical in his views, but had many warm friends, especially among the old soldiers - the late C.H. Rines was one of his particular friends.-Mr. Bursley has been on earth for more than three score years and ten and is still hale and hearty. He expects to return to Washington and spend the remainder of his days in the soldiers' home at Orchard in that state. The best wishes of his Princeton friends will accompany him. May his last days be pleasant and serene, and if there is a 'better land' beyond the 'great divide,' may the loyal old veteran be allotted a choice corner lot facing south and east.
    News 5 May 1918  Floodwood, St. Louis, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [25] 
    News 11 Aug 1919  Superior, Douglas, Wisconsin, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [26] 
    • Veteran of '61 Seeks Sister: John M. Bursley, age 76, a veteran of the Civil war and a member of the G.A.R., wearing a blue brass-buttoned uniform covered with the dust of travel, arrived in Superior yesterday over the Great Northern from Seattle, Wash.

      Bursley had searched the city in vain for his sister, who he knew resided here. He was tired and sat down on the steps of an automobile parked near Eleventh street and Tower avenue.
      He let the ferrule on the end of his cane bound up and down on the edge of the curb which attracted the attention of a blue-coated, brass-buttoned veteran of the Superior police force, to whom Bursley told his story.

      Captain Osborn was notified and began the search. After many inquiries Bursley's sister was found to be Mrs. William McArtan, residing at 1815 Twelfth street.
    Census 12 Jan 1920  Retsil, Kitsap, Washington, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [27] 
    • Washington Veteran’s Home
    News 19 Feb 1920  Princeton, Mille Lacs, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [28] 
    • Mrs. Lavina Stanwood
      Mrs. Livana (sic) Stanwood, wife of A.J. Stanwood, formerly of this village, died on February 8 at the home of her son-in-law, J.C. Cameron, in Minneapolis. Death resulted from pneumonia accelerated by old age.

      Mrs. Stanwood, whose maiden name was Lavina Bursley, was born in Bangor, Maine, on October 11, 1848. She later moved, with her parents, to Minnesota, first locating in Monticello and then moving to Santiago, where on January 26, 1870, she was married to A.J. Stanwood. She and her husband celebrated their golden wedding this winter and the children were present at the festivities. Besides her husband she is survived by seven children, viz., Mrs. H.E. Cravens and Mrs. J.C. Cameron, Minneapolis; Mrs. Susie Simpson, Owatonna; Bert Stanwood, Duluth; Benjamin Stanwood, Pray, Wis.; Fred Stanwood, Rochester; and Melvin Stanwood, Valla (sic) Jose, Cal. She also leaves a sister, Mrs. Henry Orrock of Santiago; and a brother, John Bursley, who is an inmate of the soldiers' home at Ritsel, Wash., besides 15 grandchildren.

      Mrs. Stanwood lived in Princeton for several years and her old time friends will be grieved to learn of her death. she was one of those sturdy pioneer women who was held in high esteem by all who knew her.
    Death 6 May 1921  Retsil, Kitsap, Washington, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [29] 
    Burial Retsil, Kitsap, Washington, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [30] 
    Person ID I421  Stanwood Family
    Last Modified 19 Oct 2021 

    Father Benjamin BURSLEY,   b. 17 Dec 1810, Farmington, Kennebec, Maine, United States Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 26 Apr 1881, Santiago, Sherburne, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 70 years) 
    Mother Cynthia Sears DAY,   b. Abt Feb 1814, Maine, United States Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 13 May 1874, Santiago, Sherburne, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 60 years) 
    Marriage Abt 1834  Maine, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [31, 32] 
    Family ID F532  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Mary Angeles DUNN,   b. Jul 1854   d. 29 May 1917, Clear Lake, Skagit, Washington Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 62 years) 
    Marriage 18 Mar 1875  Anoka, Anoka, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [33] 
    Children 
     1. Forest Loren BURSLEY,   b. 7 Aug 1877   d. 22 Mar 1923, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 45 years)
     2. Jessie E BURSLEY,   b. Sep 1879   d. 23 Nov 1953, Albuquerque, Bernalillo, New Mexico, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 74 years)
     3. Harry Ulysses BURSLEY,   b. 14 Oct 1881, South Dakota, United States Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 12 Feb 1936, Seattle, King, Washington, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 54 years)
     4. Cashius BURSLEY,   b. 3 Jan 1884, North Dakota, United States Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 27 Jun 1928, Spokane, Spokane, Washington, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 44 years)
     5. Halstead Dunn BURSLEY,   b. 19 Aug 1888, North Dakota, United States Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 13 Jun 1968, Multnomah, Oregon, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 79 years)
    Family ID F700  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 8 Dec 2024 

  • Photos
    BURSLEY_John_b1842_Photo_001_c    		BURSLEY_John_b1842_Photo_001_c
    BURSLEY_John_b1842_photo_001    		BURSLEY_John_b1842_photo_001

  • Notes 
    • Princeton Union article, Recipient, An Early Day Story Contributed by That Battle-Scarred Old Veteran, John M. Bursley.
      Two Unsophisticated Irish Boys Shot From Ambush by Horde of Sneaking Barbarians.

      I notice that once in a while some"oldest inhabitant" lapses into a reminiscent mood and writes (to me) very interesting letters for the Union, and I think that perhaps, like a log canoe in a stream, there is room for one more. Therefore I will give you another, hoping that those who read it will derive some pleasure therefrom. If so I shall be well repaid for my efforts. Now for the story:

      My father, Benjamin Bursley, came to Minnesota on November 18, 1854, arriving at the home of J. W. Tibbetts, one mile north of what is now Bailey's station. Mr. Tibbetts kept a tavern, or stopping place for the traveling public where any one could obtain food and shelter, and this tavern was the temporary home of many crews of lumbermen on their way to and from the virgin pineries of the roaring Rura. One night in December of 1855 a crew of men under old Len Day afterward the head of the lumber company of Day & Sons put up at the tavern. Wherever old Len Day was there was also a jug of whisky, and ofttimes the latter was responsible for a rollicking, hilarious time.

      With Len's crew were two green Irish boys, direct from the Emerald Isle, and in the orgy which was carried on that night these boys were made the butt of the hardened sinners of the woods. As I look back fifty-five years and recall that night it makes me shiver. The debauch continued throughout the night and in the morning Len, with his crew and a jug of whisky, started for the woods. There the men went to work. At that time the woods were full of Indians and old Len dished out whisky to some of them - a very foolish proceeding. Len then commenced to poke fun at the Indians, who, becoming angered, left for their tepees, where they loaded their shotguns and started on the warpath.

      The two Irish boys, who were working some distance from camp, were approached by a young Indian and advised by him to flee for their lives. He had seen these boys sawing and was anxious to save them, but they refused to take heed. In fact one of them knocked the Indian down. Within a short time other Indians stole up behind the Irish boys and riddled them with buckshot, killing them instantly. Their bodies remained there for several days as the lumbermen dared not show themselves outside of their log house for fear of meeting a like fate. Finally peace was declared the whisky was all gone and the men left their cabin to look for the Irish boys. It was not long before they found their bodies, which they loaded upon a sled and started down river to Tibbetts' place, where my father made coffins for them, and they were buried on the banks of Elk river, one mile north of the old Bailey hotel. I saw many horrible sights during my four years in the military service, but nothing that would approach in ghastliness the appearance of these unfortunate boys when they were laid in their coffins.

      The funeral of these poor boys was a pathetic scene. There was not a dry eye among all that crew of hardened woodsmen who stood around the grave on the bank of the river.

      J. M. Bursley.

  • Sources 
    1. [S811] Lagrange, Maine, Births, marriages and deaths 1833-1854, p. 49, John M. Bursley, 1842, FHL microfilm 11,532, item 2.
      BURSLEY_John_b1842_birth_001      		 BURSLEY_John_b1842_birth_001


    2. [S1202] CENSUS: U.S., 1850 Maine, Penosbcot, Bangor; p. 57A; dwelling 791, family 854; Benj Bursly with Cynthia, John W., Susan H. and Lovina Bursly; 30 April 2015.
      BURSLEY_Benjamin_b1810_census_1850_US_Census_001      		 BURSLEY_Benjamin_b1810_census_1850_US_Census_001


    3. [S1343] CENSUS: State, 1857 State Census, Minnesota, Wright, Bedford, p. 47, dwelling (_), family 2, Benjamin and Cynthia Bursley with ch. John, Malvina (sic), May (sic), and Samuel (sic); Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota Territorial Census, 1857, roll MN1857_5; images online, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2 May 2015).
      BURSLEY_Benjamin_b1810_census_1857_state_001      		 BURSLEY_Benjamin_b1810_census_1857_state_001


    4. [S1220] CENSUS: U.S., 1860 Minnesota, Wright, Monticello; p. 18; dwelling 139, family 139; Benjamin and Cynthia S. Bursley with ch. John M, Susan H, Lovina, Aaron D and Martha E. Bursley; 30 April 2015.
      BURSLEY_Benjamin_b1810_census_1860_US_Census_001      		 BURSLEY_Benjamin_b1810_census_1860_US_Census_001


    5. [S1411] Civil War Pension Files, John M. Bursley (Pvt., Co. G, 4th MN Inf., Civil War), pension no. 662,595.
      BURSLEY_John_b1842_pension_001      		 BURSLEY_John_b1842_pension_001


    6. [S1344] CENSUS: State, 1865 Minnesota, Wright, Monticello, . n.n., family 71, Benjamin and C. S. Burseley, with John M., L. S., Aaron D., Martha D., Susan H. Shallafoo, C. A. Shallafoo; Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota State Population Census, 1865, microfilm MNSC_3; images online, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 Aug 2021).
      BURSLEY_Benjamin_b1810_census_1865_state_001      		 BURSLEY_Benjamin_b1810_census_1865_state_001


    7. [S1235] CENSUS: U.S., 1870 Minnesota, Sherburne, Santiago; p. 1 (penned); dwelling 6, family 6,; Benjamin and Cynthia S. Bursley, with John M., Levina, Aaron D, Martha D, Susan H. Shelafoo, and Cynthia A. Shelafoo; 13 December 2013.
      BURSLEY_Benjamin_b1810_census_1870_US_Census_001      		 BURSLEY_Benjamin_b1810_census_1870_US_Census_001


    8. [S1346] CENSUS: State, 1875 Minnesota, Sherburne, Santiago, p. 624, J.M. & M.A. Bursley, A. Haycock, and B. Bursley; Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota State Population Census, 1875, roll MNSC_15; images online, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 April 2010).
      Source Information
      Ancestry.com. Minnesota, Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.

      Original data:
      • Minnesota Historical Society. Minnesota State Population Census Schedules, 1865-1905. St. Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Historical Society, 1977. Microfilm. Reels 1-47 and 107-164.
      • Minnesota. Minnesota Territorial Census Schedules, 1849-1855. St. Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Historical Society, 2000. Microfilm.
      • Minnesota. Minnesota 1857 Territorial Census. Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN, USA.
      BURSLEY_Benjamin_b1810_census_1875_state_001      		 BURSLEY_Benjamin_b1810_census_1875_state_001


    9. [S1420] NEWS: St. Paul Daily Globe, Jamestown; local happenings; 30 October 1886; J.M. Bursley needs aid, p. 9; 23 November 2013.
      BURSLEY_John_b1842_news_1886_10_30_001      		 BURSLEY_John_b1842_news_1886_10_30_001


    10. [S1421] NEWS: The Princeton Union, Santiago; local news; 28 May 1903; J.M. Bursley buys horses; 18 November 2013.

    11. [S1421] NEWS: The Princeton Union, From Other Towns: Santiago; local news; 16 March 1905; J. M. Bursley, justice, p. 1, c. 3; 23 November 2013.
      BURSLEY_John_b1842_news_1905_03_16_001      		 BURSLEY_John_b1842_news_1905_03_16_001


    12. [S1679] DB: Minneapolis City Directory Collection 1859-1917, 18 November 2013; John M. Bursley b Soldiers' Home, 1906:369.

    13. [S1679] DB: Minneapolis City Directory Collection 1859-1917, 18 November 2013; John M. Bursley b Soldiers' Home, 1907:336.

    14. [S1679] DB: Minneapolis City Directory Collection 1859-1917, 18 November 2013; John M. Bursley b Soldiers' Home, 1908:322.

    15. [S1679] DB: Minneapolis City Directory Collection 1859-1917, 18 November 2013; John M. Bursley b Soldiers' Home, 1909:327.

    16. [S1421] NEWS: The Princeton Union, Slain By Redskins; 1 July 1909; Benjamin Bursley, p. 1; 19 January 2013; John M. Bursley.
      BURSLEY_John_b1842_news_1909_07_01_001      		 BURSLEY_John_b1842_news_1909_07_01_001


    17. [S1679] DB: Minneapolis City Directory Collection 1859-1917, 18 November 2013; John M. Bursley b Soldiers' Home, 1910:350.

    18. [S1293] CENSUS: U.S., 1910 Minnesota, Saint Louis, Stuntz, Ward 12; 229; sheet 26B; dwelling 201, family 202; John M. and Mary Bursley residing with William and Jessie McArton; 3 May 2015.
      BURSLEY_John_b1842_census_1910_US_001      		 BURSLEY_John_b1842_census_1910_US_001


    19. [S1421] NEWS: The Princeton Union, Day Duly Observed; 2 June 1910; John Bursley, p. 1, c. 5; 18 November 2013.
      BURSLEY_John_b1842_news_1910_05_29_001      		 BURSLEY_John_b1842_news_1910_05_29_001


    20. [S1679] DB: Minneapolis City Directory Collection 1859-1917, 18 November 2013; John M. Bursley b Soldiers' Home, 1911:357.

    21. [S1679] DB: Minneapolis City Directory Collection 1859-1917, 18 November 2013; John M. Bursley b Soldiers' Home, 1912:372.

    22. [S1421] NEWS: The Princeton Union, Asked To Be Remembered; 1 January 1914; John Bursley and wife, p. 1, c. 6; 18 November 2013.
      BURSLEY_John_b1842_news_1914_01_01_001      		 BURSLEY_John_b1842_news_1914_01_01_001


    23. [S1679] DB: Minneapolis City Directory Collection 1859-1917, 18 November 2013; John M. Bursley, b flat 2, 711 s 9th, 1916:401, and 1917:409.

    24. [S1421] NEWS: The Princeton Union, Old John Bursley; 15 November 1917; John Bursley, p. 1, c. 4; 18 November 2013.
      BURSLEY_John_b1842_news_1917_11_15_001      		 BURSLEY_John_b1842_news_1917_11_15_001


    25. [S1080] NEWS: Duluth News-Tribune, Floodwood boy Leaves for France, Visits Old Home; 5 May 1918; Halstead Bursley, p. 8; 29 March 2011.
      BURSLEY_Halstead_b1888_news_1918_05_05_001      		 BURSLEY_Halstead_b1888_news_1918_05_05_001


    26. [S1080] NEWS: Duluth News-Tribune, Veteran of '61 Seeks Sister Wearing Blue Uniform of North, He is Aided by Modern Bluecoat; 11 August 1919; John Bursley and Jess McArton; 29 March 2011.
      BURSLEY_John_b1842_news_1919_08_11_001      		 BURSLEY_John_b1842_news_1919_08_11_001


    27. [S1317] CENSUS: U.S., 1920 Washington, Kitsap, Retsil; 71; sheet 6A, line 8; Washington Veterans Home; John M. Bursley; 17 November 2013.
      BURSLEY_John_b1842_census_1920_001      		 BURSLEY_John_b1842_census_1920_001


    28. [S1421] NEWS: The Princeton Union, Mrs. Lavina Stanwood; obituary; 19 February 1920; Lavina Stanwood, p. 1, c. 1; 11 November 2011.
      BURSLEY_Lavina_b1848_obit_001      		 BURSLEY_Lavina_b1848_obit_001


    29. [S366] "Washington Death Certificates, 1907-1960", FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 30 May 2011), entry for John Morris Bursley.
      BURSLEY_John_b1842_death_001      		 BURSLEY_John_b1842_death_001


    30. [S1166] Find A Grave, 13 December 2013; memorial page for John M. Bursley, Find A Grave Memorial no. 18,292,461.
      Citing Washington Veterans Home Cemetery, Retsil, Kitsap County, Washington; the accompanying photograph submitted by user Margie von Marenholtz provides a legible image of the inscribed data; however, no year of birth or death are included on the marker.

    31. [S866] Cynthia S. (Day) Bursley, Final Decree, Sherburne County probate file dated 13 Nov, 1893, County Cle.
      DAY_Cynthia_b1814_probate_001      		 DAY_Cynthia_b1814_probate_001


    32. [S555] Saint Francis River Cemetery (Duelm, Benton, MN; Hwy 6)), Grave Markers, Gravestone for Cynthia, wife of Benjamin Bursley ([-?-] - 1874); photograph by Lauren Rogers Mahieu, June 2000.
      Saint Francis River Cemetery (Duelm, Benton, MN; Hwy 6); Gravestone for Cynthia, wife of Benjamin Bursley ([-?-] - 1874); photograph by Lauren Rogers Mahieu, June 2000., database
      DAY_Cynthia_b1814_grave_003      		 DAY_Cynthia_b1814_grave_003


    33. [S1691] DB: Minnesota, Marriage Collection, 1958-2011, 26 October 2013; entry for John M. Bursley and Mary A. Haycock m. 18 Mar 1875.



Contact Us

Webmaster Message

We strive to document all of our sources in this family tree. If you have something to add, please let us know.