Jacob Burbridge, one of the earliest settlers of Stephenson County, was born in Butler County, Pa., Jan. 18, 1806. His father, William Burbridge, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his grandfather, Thomas Burbridge, who was a native of Virginia, was taken prisoner by the Indians during the Revolutionary War, and kept for three years. He died near Urbana, Ohio. The father of our subject was married in Pennsylvania, and in 1807 moved to Kentucky, and was an early settler in Bath County. He moved to Illinois in 1825, settling in Stephenson County, where he died in 1836. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Elizabeth Buckhart, who was born in Pennsylvania, of German parentage, and died in Jo Daviess County, Ill., at the age of ninety-four years.

Jacob Burbridge, our subject, grew to manhood in Kentucky, where he learned the trade of a carpenter under the instructions of his father. In 1825 he moved to Sangamon County and lived on rented land until 1829. In that year he moved to Jo Daviess County and laid a claim near the present site of Apple River Station. He engaged in farming and mining there until 1836, when he sold his claim, and in March, 1837, moved to Stephenson County and bought a claim in what is now West Point Township. He built a frame house here, and entered the land after it came into market, residing upon this farm until 1882, when he sold it ard came to Lena, where he has resided ever since.

On July 16, 1852, Mr. Burbridge was married to Martha A. Waddams, who was born in Ohio on July 15, 1816. She was the daughter of William and Lucy (Rowland) Waddams. Her father was a native of New York, and was the pioneer settler of Waddams Township, locating there in 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Burbridge have had eleven children, seven of whom are living: Louisa Winter lives in Missouri; Elizabeth Bunker lives in Dakota; Lucy Allen lives in Winnebago City, Minn.; Julia Moser lives in Lena; Wilson lives in Lena; Melissa Gardner lives in Washington Territory and Jacob lives in Warren, Jo Daviess County.

Transcribed by Christine Walters
History of Stephenson County 1888 Portrait & Biographica Pg 745