522 Dean Street

522 Dean Street

Elijah Burbank built 517 Dean St. and 522 Dean Street in 1855. According to his great granddaughters Jennette Burbank and Dorothy Luedtke, this house (522) was occupied by the family and the one across the street (517) was for the farm hands. Elijah was born in New Hampshire in 1805 and was educated at New England Academy. He tried his hand at several occupations in the East: teaching, farming, hotel keeping, and pork packing. Emigrating first to Southern Illinois via the Ohio River, he brought his wife and seven children to Dorr Township by ox team in 1847. He built a log cabin on his 80 acre claim (he paid 25% interest to the bank for his loan) and remained there for five years.
Learning the trade of stone mason and plasterer, he moved to Woodstock where he enjoyed a very successful trade. He attempted different architectural styles with his brick: Italianate at 517 and Greek Revival at 522. The brick pattern of decoration on 517 is called corbeling and is said to be a Burbank trademark. He built the Jacob Harder House 123 S. Hayward and also assisted in building the Presbyterian church at 215 S. Tryon. He died in 1885 at age 80 in Dallas, TX, where he was visiting his daughter, and was buried in Woodstock. Jennette Burbank, a direct descendent, lived in the house until 1982.
Parlor photo has wallpaper, lighting, wicker rocker, Victorian décor lace curtains, unknown photo on wall.
The photographer, Melvin G. Tripp was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Tripp. He was a capable and successful photographer for many years. Lived a quiet and retired life. His gallery was in the Stone building, corner Main and Cass streets. [Sentinel 12-13-1937]

Gift Dorothy Luedtke 1986