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Show ENGINEER WHO HARNESSED NIAGARA FALLS, BROTHER OF COUNTY RESIDENT From a "printer's devil", to one of the greatest engineers of his day, George Burbank, a brother of Mrs. E. W. Clay, a long-time resident of Burbank in the west part of this county, with nisi brother, were he engineers that harnessed the gr4at Niagara falls to furnish water and power for New York and other eastern east-ern cities. From a copy of "The Voice of the Mountains," published in Ludlow, Vermont, in May 1861, now in the possession of Mrs. Clay, we take the following item: ' "George Burbank, an apprentice in this office has dropped his 'stick' and 'rule,' shouldered his musket and is off for war. 'Eyes right,' George." Young George Burbank, then 17 yearsi of age, fought through the civil war until he was seriously wounded by a cannon ball in the battle of Gettysburg. After suffering untold agony on the battle field he was discovered dis-covered by his comrads and finally sent home, where after months of convalescing, he regained his health, and after the close of the war took up the profession of civil engineer. With his brother he formed a partnership part-nership and of their many achievements achieve-ments the geatest distinction was the Niagara Falls project. " Ever patriotic Mr. Burbank, at the age of 74, offered his services to President Pre-sident Wilson during the late war. He died about three years ago. The brother came west and was identified with land settlement in Beaver county and the town of Burbank Bur-bank was named for him. . Mr. and Mrs. Clay have made their home near Burbank for many years, and are parents of our townsman, L. G. Clay. |