Person:Absolom Cornelius (1)

ABSALOM CORNELIUS - ELIZABETH COTTON CORNELIUS

Absolom Cornelius was born in North Carolina, on March 1, 1798. He was reared in Virginia. He married Elizabeth Cotton when he was nineteen (19) years of age in the year 1817, in Virginia. Absalom crossed the plains by ox teams to Oregon in 1845. He made settlement in Marion County, three miles southwest of the pioneer town of Turner, Oregon. He died at the advanced age of eighty-two (82) years at the old home on his old donation land claim, and is buried in the "Twin Oak" (Masonic) cemetery, Turner, Marion County, Oregon.

Sophie S. was the youngest of the fifteen children who graced this worthy pioneer home, and by her death which occurred in 1927, the entire original family have passed on.

THE CORNELIUS FAMILY

By special permission of Charles S.s Cornelius, noted lecturer, genalogist, and writer of a book on the "History of the Cornelius Family in America."

According to Charles S. Cornelius of Morro Bay, California, who has spent much time in genealogical research, the family of Cornelius has the following historical data. He says:

The Family Crest

"The Crest consists of a Hand extended from a Cloud of Smoke and grasping a Battle Ax or Greek Cross, and resting on a Strand of Rope. This signifies Martyrdom.

The Coat of Arms

The Coat of Arms consists of a Shield, on which are delineated the Square and Three Balls, and surrounded by a Scroll of Leaves and surmounted by a Crusader's Helmet with closed Visor. This all rests on a Scroll Foundation containing the motto, "Verite Sans Peur" which translated means "Truth Without Fear." The Square refers to Artizans, and the Balla signify the practice of Medicine. The Shield curmounted by the Helmet with closed Visor refers to Military Service, and also indicates the time of the Crusaders. The Banner with the name "Cornelius" is draped over the Crusader's Sword. The Shield also has the Ermine indicated, which denotes Royalty."

Cornelius Coat of Arms and Crest

Charles Sumner Cornelius to whom we are indebted for authentic information on the "Cornelius Family" further says:

"The name Cornelius, as a family name, is one of the oldest in Genealogical records, dating as it does to 212 B.C. The Latin meaning of the name in "Horn", and seems to typify the sturdy, indomitable characteristics of the family---not only the ancient but the more modern branches as well, for we find every generation noted for its men and women of sterling character and public service along all lines. The Family is remarkable for not only its age, but for the number of its men and women who have made their mark in the world's work in every generation.

The first family of the name of which there is any record is Faustus Cornelius, who, under Pompey, int eh siege of Jerusalem B.C. 50, was the first general to enter the city.

The next in order is Caius Cornelius, Questor and secretary of the Treasury in Rome under Julius Caesar, B.C. 45. The next is Cornelius, the Centurian, commander of an Italian Cohort at Caesarea in the year A.D. 37 or 41. He became a convert to the preaching of the Apostle Peter and was the first Gentile to be baptized into the Christian faith.

Cornelius, Bishop of Rome, called 21st Pope, suffered martyrdom in 253 A.D. There was also Cornelius, the 4th Bishop of Antioch, A.D. 167, and many others of note throughout the ages.

The first Cornelius to settle in America was Aaron Cornelius, a sea captain, who settled at Flushing, Long Island, 1639, and was one of the patentees of that part of Long Island, covered at the present time by the towns of Flushing, Oyster Bay, Hempstead, and Jamaica.

One of the most noted of this family was Dr. Elias Cornelius, a surgeon in the Revolutionary War, who was born 1758 at Hempstead, and who had just begun the study of medicine when the Revolution broke out. He enlisted in the American Army at the age of twenty, as surgeon's mate in the 2d Rhode Island Regiment under Col. Israel Angell. In 1777 while on a scouting trip, he was taken prisoner by the Hessian guards and was confined in Provost Prison, New York, when on January 16, 1778 he succeeded in escaping by seimming the Hudson River and rejoined his regiment. He was physician and surgeon during that great conflict, anbd was a close friend of General George Washington and General Lafayette. Later he attended General Lafayette through a severe illness, in recognition of which service Lafayette presented him with his sword. And it is in the possession of his grandson, Dr. Edward Cornelius Perry, of Avon, New York. The old sword used by Gen. Lafayette in the Revolutionary War has on its blade the marks of conflict. The belt is of buchskin with brass buckle and black leather scabbard. A companion relic is the medicine chest, hair covered and ornamented with brass tacks, which Dr. Elias Cornelius took through the Revolutionar Way.

Among the descendents of Aaron Cornelius who was born in England, and who was instrumental in founding a Colony in Long Island, and was also "Master of the Seas," are many old relics of his day scattered among the different descendants, and probably the oldest is the Conch Shell Fog Horn used on the "Canary Bird", and is now in possession of John D. Cornelius, of Freeport, Long Island.

Christian Cornelius was a noted astronomer in Holland, and fixed the time for the country during his life. His grandson, Christian, came to America in 1783 and established the oldest house manufacturing and dealing in gas fixtures and chandeliers, in America.

Rev. Elias Cornelius, D.D. son of Dr. Elias Cornelius, born in New York, was at one time head of the Indian Educational Department of the Government. His wife, Mary Ann Hooker, was a direct descendant of Jonathan Edwards and Thomas Hooker, founder of Hartford City, Connecticut. An oil painting of Elias Cornelius, D.D., by Metcalf, is in the possession of Edward G. Perry of Avon, New York. Dr. Elias Cornelius was among the most brilliant scholars of the noted Yale College from which he graduated with honors in 1613.

William Cornelius of New York, married Mary Ann Mead, daughter of Nathaniel Mead who served as First Lieutenant of Minute Men under orders from General Putman. This wedding was a Revolutionary Romance.

John Mott Cornelius was the only son of William and Mary Ann Mead Cornelius and was born in New York. Charles Sumner Cornelius, the author, genealogist, traveler, and lecturer, to whom we are indebted for authentic information of the "Cornelius Family," is the oldest son of John Mott Cornelius, botn on the old homestead in 1857. He was a representative at large for San Luis Obispo County, California, during the World War and speaker and County chairman for Thrift Stampand Liberty Bond drives for the north half of San Luis, Obispo County, and was presented with a Medal and Certificate of Service by the U.S. Government for putting the County "over the top" in the Liberty Bond drive in 1918. He is an active civic worker and inerested in any movement for the betterment of social, religious, or business interests. His worth has been tested in many ways and he stands today a leader among men. (The last few words are mine, after having read his live.)

Dr. Maxwell N. Cornelius D. D. was a pulpit orator of much eloquence, the son of Maxwell Cornelius and Mary Ann Anderson, and was born in Pennsylvania. Dr. Cornelius came from a family noted for service to God and man. He was the author of the hymn, "Some Day We'll Understand."

William Huff Cornelius, son of David Cornelius, born 1817, possessed great dexterity as he was both right and left handed in wielding the tools used in ship carpentry, and ehlped build many a sturdy craft. He was an expert oarsman, rowing without sound or apparent motion of the oars."

ABBSALOM CORNELIUS-ELIZABETH COTTON CORNELIUS

of the Cornelius Hills southwest of Turner, Oregon

Absalom Cornelius traces his ancestry back to Italy and to George Cornelius who married a woman of French descent. Mr. and Mrs. George Cornelius migrated to England where their son, George W. was born. James the other son is all of the children that we know of. Mr. and Mrs. George Cornelius and their two sons came to America before the Revlutionary War of 1775, when George W. was a lad of about 12 years. George W. afterward fought in the Revolutionary War. James Cornelius moved to Tennessee. George W. lived in North Carolina and in Virginia, and from Virginia he moved to Indiana. George W. Cornelius, the soldier was fearless in war, alert to his duty to mankind, successful, and a splendid type of citizen. George W. Cornelius was married twice druing his life. His first wife was a Miss McKenzie, daughter of Greenbury McKenzie. The children were Nancy and Greenbury. His second wife was a Miss Hyatt of German descent. The children of these two marriages and affiliated families:

• Greenbury-married Hannah Commons
• Nancy-married Thomas Sumner
• James-married Lucy Forkner
• Susan-married Wm. Beall of Kentucky
• Rebecca-married Nehemia Chusrman?
• 1st wife --Miss Rains
• Benjamine-married 2nd wife --Letitia B. Wilson
• Absalom-married Elizabeth Cotton of Tennessee
• Hannah-married Jesse Forkner

George W. Cornelius died of the cholera in August, 1833, and is buried in West Grove Cemetery, three miles northwest of Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana. The mother of Absalom Cornelius, a Miss Hyatt Cornelius, died of apoplexy in Indiana and is buried by George W. Cornelius. The name "Greenbury" came into the Absalom Cornelius family from Greenbury McKenzie, father of George W. Cornelius's first wife.