I
have an old studio photograph of Mark BURNHAM which was taken at the J. E. Ward
Studio in La Porte City, IA.? It appears
to have been taken in the 1880’s with Mark likely in his 20’s or 30’s at the
time that it was taken.? Based on limited
research I was able to gather the following information regarding Mark and his
family:
?
Mark
BURNHAM or BURNAM was b. abt 1860 in Tama Co., IA to parents Erastus A. BURNHAM
or BURNAM (1831-1905) and Louisa McGuire FORBIS or BALLARD or BULLARD
(1842-1909).? Mark was one of 12 children
born to this couple including Minerva Jane; Mark; Lavinia “Vina” Davis; David
Moore; Curtis Andrew; A. M.; Robert Thomas; Edward Everett; Jennette “Nettie”
Susan; Frances “Fannie” E.; Minnie Alice; and Louisa BURNHAM or BURNAM, all born
between 1855 and 1889.
?
Mark
BURNHAM married Ellie W. PRAY on 12 Mar 1883 in Black Hawk Co., IA.? Ellie W. PRAY was born abt 1857 or 1858 in
New Jersey or Pennsylvania, the daughter of Robert PRAY and Elizabeth WINNER
who were both born in Pennsylvania.? The
1880 census of La Porte City, IA included her family as follows:
?
Robert
J. PRAY, age 50
Elizabeth
PRAY, age 48, his wife
Clifford
PRAY, age 23, his son
Ellie
PRAY, age 23, his dau
Emeline
PRAY, age 19, his dau
Edith
PRAY, age 12, his dau
?
I
am hoping to locate someone from Mark’s family so that the photograph can be
returned to the care of family.? If you
are a member of this family or know someone who might be, please contact me.
?
Thanks,
Shelley
