New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-19
OBITUARY.
THE0DoTUS BURwELL.

Thcodotus Burwell, wellknown lawyer, died yes
teTtay morning at the home Of his daughter, Mrs.
Polapd Merritt, at spuyten Duyvil. lie had been in
good health until about two years ago, when, owing
to his advanced age he began to show signs Of weak
ness. His condition had not been considered dan
gerons until about three days ago. The funeral will
be held at his home on Wednesday.
Mr. Burwell was born In oxford, Conn.,, in March,
1903 His father, who a farmer removed to Nor
way, Herkimer County, in 1917, where Mr.. Burweii
worked on the farm until his fathers death In 1928
lie was then left in charge Of family consisting OF
mother and several younger children. the family
was in moderate circumstances, but by industry hard
study and fugalty, teaching a common school IN
winter and working on the farm in summer, he htted
himself to enter the junior class OF Union college, In
1928, and was graduated from that Institution In
1880. lie went to Buffalo on leaving coheSe' ana
for year a professor in military school founded
by Captain Partridge who had been superintendent
at West Point The military drill being given up, the
school was continued as an ordinary academy by Mr.
Burwell as principal.
Meantime pursuing his law studies. he was ad-
mited TO the bar in 1885, in the same class with ex
Judges Gilbert and Mason. In 1888 he was placed
in charge as trustee of nearly all the land on the
north side Of Buffalo Harbor east OF Chcago-st. to
the east line Of the city, and closed the trust under
the direction of the Chancellor in 1e46.
lie was twice appointed Counsel to the Corporation
OF Buffalo, was Supreme Court Commissioner and af
terward County Judge Of Erie County, and was once
nominated as the Democratic candidate for State
Senator from the district but was defeated by the
division of the party into "Hunkers" and Barn
burners"
Mr.. Burwell was the founder and first proprietor
Of The Buffalo Courier" He sold the paper to Judge
Ward Hunt of the United States Supreme Court, then
Of Utica for the benefit Of Joseph Stringham cousin
Of Mr.. Hunt
Mr. Burwel was the counsel OF Governor Marcy
when acting receiver Of two OF the broken banks
in Buffalo also of Wells Fargo when their express
company was started in Buffalo, and when tho firm
merged in the Joint stock company of Wells,
Fargo q Co.. of which Colonel MacRaye, brother-law
of Mr.. Burwell, was the first secretary.
Mr. BurweI removed to NewYork City In 1855, and
was for long time the law partner of General Nye.
The firm was counsel of the Associate Express Com
panies for several years.
Judge Burwen continued in active practice until
nearly eighty years Old being recognized as hard
working painstakng lawyer by the bench and the bar.
In his later years he had given much of his time to
the interests of beautiful farm of about thirty acres
in East Ionkers, which has been his home since he
removed from Buffalo,
Mr. Burwel had kept up an active interest in the
leading topics of the day almost to the day OF his
DEATH He was a great reader Of magazines and re-
views. He ,leaves widow three daughters ana
son. who lives in Minneapolis.