CASE Family Stories

[johnburrell]

I have talked before about telling some family stories. Also, some people here have encouraged me. Be careful what you ask for. I was just reading a story in one of local weekly papers about a Columbian Mammoth skull and tusks found during excavation of a fish hatchery pond in nearby Randolph, NY. It was May of 1934. "Grandpa Case" (Jean Case), at age 80 couldn't wait to go see it. He and my dad (Dean Wm. Burrell) drove over the hill to Randolph to see the display. Jean was always the adventurer. In the 1870's Jean and his older brother W.R. left Little Valley and homesteaded in Spring Green, Nebraska. They were later joined by brother's John D. and Andrew. Then there were four. The Case Brothers. As i have said before, I tagged along with my dad a lot. He would always be talking about family and cutlery. Even as a grown up, if dad and I drove past that old white barn on NY Rt. 394 in Randolph, he would point out where he and Grandpa Case went to see the mammoth skull. It's a wonder he didn't try to buy it to make handles.

[dlr110]

Thank you John for sharing your family. I'm sure those were some great times with your father and other members of the family.
Waiting to hear more.

[herbva]

That's a great story John. I really appreciate your sharing these stories and information about your family, and I hope you can keep them coming. I can't help wondering what happened to those mammoth tusks!

[johnburrell]

Herb,

The skull and tusks ended up in a state museum in Albany, NY. Two or three years ago, the display came back to Cattaraugus County. It was in the County Museum in Machias, NY. I believe it is currently back in Albany.

The Burrell family always called Jean Case "Grandpa Case". They called Job "Old Grampa". I remember my Grandma Burrell (Addie Case Burrell) telling about Old Grandpa walking down Fair Oak Street in Little Valley. She said he was as straight as a ramrod. As other thoughts get jarred loose, I'll be able to share more stories.

Regards, John

[1967redrider]

Great story, John, thanks for posting and keep 'em coming!

[RalphAlsip]

In the 1870's Jean and his older brother W.R. left Little Valley and homesteaded in Spring Green, Nebraska. They were later joined by brother's John D. and Andrew. Then there were four. The Case Brothers.

Here is a picture of a knife from the Nebraska days. Brad Lockwood's book has a couple of pages about the time the family spent in Nebraska. The bone handles on this knife as good as it gets, in my opinion.

[johnburrell]

Those sir are beautiful North American knives!!!

[1967redrider]

I'll Second that!

[johnburrell]

My cousin Brad Lockwood sent me this great picture today. It is part of an article in the Bradford Era. I would suggest that you all google the article and read it. It’s a good read. This was my great grandfather’s (Jean Case) office building. The factory that burned in 1912 was out behind this building. I have a picture of my grandmother (Addie Case Burrell) sitting at a desk inside. downstairs in the front office. Not only were the offices located here, they also kept finished product here. My great, great grandfather Job Case lived upstairs. Two of Job’s other sons uncle Johnny and uncle Andy also were part of Case Brothers. It was from here that J. Russell Case left to start W.R. Case and Son just down the street. A lot of history here, well deserved of this historic marker.
Regards, John

[1967redrider]

That got me thinking about this thread, John-

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