ALBERT CALDWELL BURNHAM.—An Indiana man by birth and breed-
ing, Albert C. Burnham has been identified with many of the industries
of the state and is now numbered among the much respected and highly
esteemed residents of Clay City. A son of Alexander Burnham, he was
born October 17, 1843, in Sugar Creek township, Vigo county, in the
log house built by his father in pioneer days. His grandfather, Orange
Burnham, served in the war of 1812, after which he became one of the
early settlers of Tennessee, and at a later day was a pioneer of Vigo
county, Indiana, where he spent the closing years of his long life, passing
away in the ninety-ninth year of his age.
    Born in the Short Mountain district of Tennessee, Alexander Burn-
ham lived in his native state until after his marriage. Starting west-
ward then with his bride, he came to Vigo county, Indiana, making the
entire journey on horseback, the one horse doing for both of them.
Entering government land in Sugar Creek township, he built a log cabin
for a dwelling place, began the improvement of his land, and by dint of
sturdy industry and persistent energy established a good homestead and
was there employed in tilling the soil until his death, at the age of fifty-
six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Cynthia Skerlock, was
born in Tennessee, not far from his birthplace, a daughter of Thomas
Skerlock. She died in Sugar Creek township at the early age of forty-
five years. She was the mother of ten children, all of whom grew to
years of maturity, namely: Mary, Sylvanus, Albert CaIdwell, James,
Harriet, William S., Lottie, John, Ann and Callie.
    Albert C. Burnham obtained his early education in the typical log
school house of pioneer times, with slab benches and no desks, the board
placed against one side of the cabin serving as a place upon which the
pupils could write. Deer and wild turkeys were very plentiful when he
was a boy, and timber wolves were destructive to the young stock, which
had to be carefully guarded from their attacks. Reared to agricultural
pursuits, he selected farming as his early occupation, and at the death
of his father bought the interest of the other heirs in the parental home-
stead, and continued its management for nine years. Selling the old
farm, he then went to Terre Haute, where he was engaged in the wood
and coal business for some time. In 1884, having disposed of interests
in that locality, Mr. Burnham located in Clay City, and, in partnership
with his brother James, was for five years engaged in the manufactnre
of tile. He subsequently spent two years in Indianapolis and two years
in Jasonville, from the latter place coming back to Clay City, where he
has since resided.
    On January 14, 1883, Mr. Burnham married Ellen Kilmer, who was
born in Holmes county, Ohio. She is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth
Kilmer, of whom a brief sketch appears on another page of this volume.