Ever since I've started researching the history of the Burwell Building, I've been intrigued to learn more about M.T. Burwell. What kind of man was he? What did he look like? How many kids did he have and are any of his descendants still in the area? What does M. T. stand for? And for goodness sake, does anyone have photos of the inside of the Burwell Opera House?
Well, I have found a few answers to my questions doing simple internet searches. But, a recent trip to St. Louis, MO to visit the State Historical Society of Missouri helped me to answer a few more. Why Missouri, Dawn? Well, I'll get to that...but, for now, let's start at the beginning. The beginning of M.T.'s life, that is.
Moses Thorp Burwell was born near Columbus, Ohio, July 16, 1844. 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 moved to Champaign, and then to Fisher, where he bought and managed a large farm.
The photo to the left is of Moses and his wife, Isabella. The year is unknown, but it was more than likely taken in the late 1860s or early 1870s.
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.
In 1877, the paper reported that he lived outside of town at Sangamon Bend. The paper tells of the fine pasture he had for his cattle.
Denis Fisher, our GCRA Vice-President, told me a story about Mr. Burwell. The story is of a Gibson Businessman walking into Burwell’s bank looking for a loan to start a business. Mr. Burwell didn’t have the funds to loan the man at the time, but he asked the gentleman to wait in his bank and he would be right back. Mr. Burwell then proceeded to walk up and down Sangamon Avenue asking every business owner if they could spare funds to loan to the bank. Mr. Burwell then returned to the bank with the funds the businessman needed. He was well-liked and was a very clever banker and businessman – as was clearly demonstrated by this story!
This article from the Gibson City Courier, dated January of 1880, reports on E. C. Leffler joining the banking institution owned by M.T. Burwell and tells of how well respected M.T. was within the community. It’s interesting to note that M.T.’s brother-in-law W. J. Wilson was also involved in the bank. W. J. Wilson was married to Isabella Burwell’s sister.
In addition to banking, M.T. Burwell started a real estate company. After E.C. Leffler joined the bank, it afforded Moses the opportunity to pursue other business ventures. His real estate venture became very successful. 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".
M.T and his family traveled to Colorado in the summer of 1882. In August, the courier reported that upon his return that he had notified the town that he had bought property in Colorado and was contemplating moving there. As you can tell from the article, the town was disappointed by this news. As the article reads “We make this announcement with regret, as Gibson can ill afford to lose him, and we hope that he will yet change his mind and conclude to stay among us".
In early Sept of 1882, the Courier reports on how successful Burwell’s real estate business is. The article wasn’t enough to keep Moses around though. On Sept 15, 1882, Moses sold his interest in the bank. Interestingly, he sold it to Washington Wilson (father of his business partner W. J. Wilson) and the father of his other business partner (Evan Mattinson) – Matthew Mattinson. The Courier reports that the sale of the bank to Mr. Mattinson and Mr. Wilson “makes the bank one of the strongest, financially, in the country”. This bank was later known as the First National Bank of Gibson. First National Bank was later acquired by Heartland Bank and Trust Company.
If you are a keen reader and remember when the great fire in Gibson occurred, you know that soon after Moses moved his family to Colorado, his building on N. Sangamon Ave was where the Gibson fire of 1883 started. In fact, it was only 5 months after leaving Gibson that he had to pack the family back up and make the return trip to Illinois.
But move back he did and he stayed in Gibson to oversee the rebuild. Burwell got back into Real Estate when he returned to Gibson. In fact, he start a real estate business with his brother-in-law (W.J. Wilson) and former bank clerk/ banking partner (Evan Mattinson).
In March of 1887, M.T. embarked on starting a canning factory in the Bloomington-Normal area. The Pantagraph reported that he toured several facilities in Bloomington-Normal, but landed on the former paper mill in Normal. He felt that facility was best suited to his needs. Burwell had succeeded in getting more farmers to agree to raise corn and tomatoes to be canned. The article mentions that Burwell had telegraphed for about $100 worth of seed, which will be distributed to the farmers at no cost. The article even mentions that Burwell intends to move to Normal (which never happened). His obituary said he started the Bloomington Canning Factory with Mr. Whitmer and Mr McDowell.
In 1890 Moses and his wife celebrated their 25th anniversary with an anniversary party at their house on Church Street. J.H. Collier and his wife were in attendance, as was W. S. Lamb and his wife, E. Mattinson and wife, W. J. Wilson and wife, and Matthew Mattinson and his wife. (Quite the rich and famous Gibsonites in attendance, huh?).
In 1892 he moved 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. Pictured below is Moses (far right) with several other men and his son, Guy, seated in the chair. The photo appears to be from a bank, but I’m unsure if it was one that Moses started or not. But, one could assume that his son Guy was involved in his father's banking business as well.
In 1898, Moses and Isabella Burwell came to Gibson to visit her sister, Mrs. W. J. Wilson, who had fallen ill. On the trip to Illinois, Isabella fell ill herself and later died in Gibson. Moses was heartbroken over her death, writing to his brother-in-law, Mr. E. H. Warden, "this is a very hard blow to all our family to lose our dear mother and companion, but we will try hard to bear it"
Moses returns to Kansas City and continued his life without his wife. His daughter Nettie appears to have been very close with her dad and was often quoted as traveling with him or accompanying him to events. Moses later met Emma Isham and was married to her in August of 1901. He continued to be involved in banking, raising cattle and real estate.
According to the Garden City Newspaper, “Death gave no warning” as M. T. Burwell of Colorado City succumbed to a heart attack on March 10, 1908. M.T. Burwell was at his ranch northwest of town when he complained that he was very tired and went into the house for a short rest. He had been driving a great deal the day before. He sat down on the edge of the bed and before anyone realized how seriously ill he was, death had come.
Mr. Burwell, accompanied by his second wife, Emma, came to Garden City about 2 weeks before in order to look after his land interests nearby. He had been suffering heart trouble at his home and thought that a change in altitude might have a beneficial effect. For the first few days of his stay, his health was greatly improved, so much so that he more than likely hastened his death by overexertion.
Mr. Burwell was 65 years of age and had been engaged in the banking business since quite a young man. For more than a quarter of a century, he was one of the leading bankers in Gibson City, IL. For some years, he has also been engaged in banking in the Colorado City area and in addition has handled real estate. He was active in business and he planned to make a number of investments during this visit.
Moses was survived by 5 of his 8 children (all born from his first wife Isabella). Two children 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 in early life became a Christian and united with the Methodist church. Throughout his entire life he was a consistent follower of the teaching of the church. He was an active Christian worker and generous contributor to good causes.
So, what lead me to St. Louis, you ask? Well, while doing my research I ran across 'The Burwell-Tate papers" donated to the State Historical Society of Missouri. Bernice Tate Burwell donated them. Who is she, you ask? Well, she was married to Guy Burwell, Moses' youngest son. Why did she donate family photos and papers to the State Historical Society of Missouri? Well, you'll have to wait for our next blog post to learn more about that. Until next time...
Great job.... Love it!