McCrossen, Perkins, Pelon
And Ullom Family Genealogy Pages

William R. Pursel

William R. Pursel was born in Livingston Co., N.Y., Sept. 4, 1843. His parents, William and Jane Pursel, were of German and Irish extraction. He was married in Livingston Co., N.Y., Sept. 19, 1866, to Flora J., daughter of Isaac D. and Susan (McCrossen) Hazen, born in Ontario Co., N.Y. They have one child, born June 4, 1877.
The life-long pursuit of Mr. Pursel has been milling. He went to Grand Rapids in 1866, where he remained three years, going thence to Gaines, where he was employed three years in the saw-mill of his father-in-law. At the end of that time, 1874, he purchased a grist and saw mill combined of J. D. Hazen, where he carries on an extensive business, manufacturing 500,000 feet of lumber annually. In the flouring mill two run of stones do a custom business, amounting yearly to about 20,000 bushels of wheat and other grains. The mills exhibit the latest and best improvements.
In August 1862 he enlisted in Livingston Co., in Co. G (Capt. Cornell), 130th N.Y. Vol., Inf., where he served in the army of the Middle Department under Gen. Peck, 11 months; then entered service in the Peninsular campaign under Gen. Peck, 11 months; and thence to the 1st N.Y. Dragoons. He was in 44 regular engagements, besides participating in numberless skirmishes. Through all these he passed without receiving a wound. In politics Mr. Purcel is a Republican.