J^'?n7d0^y 



Hon. John McBurney, the subject of this sketch, was born 

 in Northampton County, in the State of Pennsylvania, on the 

 29th day of August, 1796. He was the son of Thomas McBurney, 

 who with his mother and her family emigrated from County 

 Antrim, in the north of Ireland, at the close of the Kevolu- 

 tionary war, to Northampton County, and was of the famous 

 Scotch-Irish stock that have won such a reputation for their 

 stalwart, firm, and genuine fighting qualities. Their influence 

 in this country has ever been marked. Thomas McBurney 

 married the daughter of the late Judge Mulholland, then one 

 of the leading citizens of Northampton County. Thomas 

 McBurney with his family emigrated to Steuben County about 

 1800, and purchased a farm in the then town of Painted Post, 

 which is now occupied by D. W. Fuller. He at once became 

 a prominent man of the county ; was appointed sheriff in 1812, 

 and after the expiration of his term was appointed first judge 

 ofthe old Courtof Common Pleas in 1816. He became wealthy, 

 and wielded great political influence in the county. He died 

 in 1828 on his homestead at Painted Post. 



"With the exception of a term or two at an Eastern school, 

 he had no other education than what could be obtained in the 

 common schools of the town. His tastes and habits inclined 

 him to become a farmer, and as soon as he attained his majority 

 he married Jemima Patterson, a daughter of the late Ichabod 

 Patterson, one of the six proprietors of township two, in the 

 first range, included in the old town of Painted Post. 



Mr. McBurney immediately moved upon the farm across the 

 river from Corning, a part of the purchase of Patterson, upon 

 which he spent the remainder of his life. By his industry 

 and thrift upon this farm he laid the foundation of the hand- 

 some fortune he left his family. 



In 1831 his wife Jemima died, leaving him three children : 

 Mary, wife of C. K. Miller; James McBurney, and Jemima, 

 wife of John Dodge. In 1832 he married Almariah Knox, 

 daughter of the late Judge Knox, of Painted Post. She lived 

 but a few years and left one son, John Knox. 



He married for the fourth time Mrs. Edwards, daughter 

 of the late Cornelius Younglove, of Hamm©ndsport, who still 

 lives, Mr. McBurney held various town oflSces, In 1832 he 



was elected a member of Assembly from this county and served 

 well his constituency. In 1853 he was again elected to the As- 

 sembly from the Third Assembly district. It was during this 

 session that active efforts were made to divide the county of Steu- 

 ben. Mr. McBurney, who was an able advocate, was strongly 

 opposed to the measure, and sought to secure the aid of as many 

 as possible of his fellow members to defeat it. He was ever out- 

 spoken and frank, never concealing his opinions and sentiments. 



It was a common saying you could always tell where to find Mr. 

 McBurney, and know how he stood politically or socially. He 

 continued to reside upon and work his farm till his death, which 

 occurred on the 7th day of August, 1867. He was truly and 

 practically a farmer, for he not only worked with his hands, 

 never engaging in speculations or .venture of any kind, but 

 steadily followed the plow, r nd by slow and sure accumulation 

 acquired a fortune. 



He illustrated the fact that any farmer, however humble, if 

 he will unchangeably and persistently pursue his calling and 

 live within his income, cannot fail in process of time to lay 

 by a handsome competence. 



Politically, Mr. McBurney from his youth up was an earnest 

 and active Democrat. Notwithstanding, he was elected and 

 re-elected time and again supervisor, justice of the peace, and 

 assessor of the old town of Painted Post with a strong majority 

 against his party. When he administered justice, friend and 

 foe stood equal before him. His best friend had nothing to 

 hope and his bitterest foe nothing to fear, for he, like the 

 goddess of justice, could see neither. 



It was remarked by the late Judge Burns, whose political 

 and family relations placed him ever in position of hostility 

 to Mr. McBurney, that in all his practice before justices of the 

 peace, and it was an extensive one, Mr. McBurney was the only 

 one who in making his decisions could rise above prejudice and 

 dispense justice manfully and impartially. As a supervisor and 

 assessor the public found in him a faithful and competent public 

 oflacer. He was a man of good sound sense and rare integrity ; 

 with him the oath of office was no lip service. -No public 

 plunderer dare approach him with a bribe As a friend he 

 was true and earnest ; as a foe, stern and uncompromibing. 



