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James Purvis was born near Waterloo, Seneca County, New York June 24, 1818 and died a few miles from Bremen, Fairfield County, Ohio January 5, 1900, aged 81 years, 6 months, 11 days.
He was the youngest of 12 children, 9 boys, 3 girls, all deceased. His father was an Englishman coming to New York from Lincolnshire, England in 1798 when 17 years old. His father's people were of a sturdy, venturesome race. One Sir Anthony Purvis led the first corps of English soldiers sent to India to open up that vast region to the commerce and civilzation of the...
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James Purvis was born near Waterloo, Seneca County, New York June 24, 1818 and died a few miles from Bremen, Fairfield County, Ohio January 5, 1900, aged 81 years, 6 months, 11 days.
He was the youngest of 12 children, 9 boys, 3 girls, all deceased. His father was an Englishman coming to New York from Lincolnshire, England in 1798 when 17 years old. His father's people were of a sturdy, venturesome race. One Sir Anthony Purvis led the first corps of English soldiers sent to India to open up that vast region to the commerce and civilzation of the world.
Another, Commodore Purvis, succeeded Lord Nelson and her majesty's ships opened the port of Buenos Aires. Robert Purvis, of the American branch, was Secretary of Agriculture under President Buchanan and succeeded William Lloyd Garrison as President of the Anti-Slave Society.
On his mother's side they were related to John Warden, Captain of the "Monitor", that more than matched the famous "Merrimac" and changed the whole triend of naval warfare.
On March 3, 1843 he married Elizabeth Ross Clemens near Cardington, Ohio. About 1850 they moved to the farm where he spent the rest of his life.
There were born to them 4 children, 2 boys, Albanus Clemens Purvise and James Ernest Purvis. The girls preceded him in death so that he leaves an aged wife with whom he walked nearly 57 years, sons, 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
He was brought up in the Baptist faith but in the year of 1862 he joined the M.E. Church where he remained steadfast for years but finally, because of some differences, he withdrew from the church. Yet the Bible was his constant companion and his way oflife. It's Christ was his Savior to whom he gave daily thanks for all His goodness.
He was even tempered which drew friends about him and his long life caused many to seek his counsels.
He cast his vote for William Henry Harrison for President in 1840. Later he became a Republican and was an ardent supporter of Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.
In no sense was he an office seeker. Yet the people of Rushcreek Township so strongly confided in him that they elected him Trustee for 13 years. He was a tender father, a faithful husband, an honorable citizen and his counsels and life will be greatly missed.
Funeral was held at Union Chapel January 6 in the presence of a great concourse of sympathetic friends who laid his mortal remains to rest in the Bremen Cemetery (Grandview) awaiting the General Resurrection.
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