"RICHARD A. BURY was born in Albany, N. Y., February 20, 1830. He was the son of an Episcopal clergyman, Rev. Richard Bury, who came West as rector of St. Paul's church in Detroit in 1832. It was during the residence of the family in Detroit, that the son, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the famous school of the Rev. Moses H. Hunter, at Grosse Isle, Mich., his education being finished in the schools of Cleveland, Ohio. From the age of twenty he was in business for himself and made a mark in the lumber traffic. In 1862 he moved to Adrian, opening a lumber yard and planing mill, on the lot bounded by Frank, Church, Locust and Center streets. He removed later to the corner of Michigan and Division streets, where he took in D. M. Baker as a partner. January 1, 1872, he was appointed lumber agent of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, selling his interest in the lumber business to Mr. Baker. He retained his position with the railroad until the time of his death. He was a member of Adrian Lodge, No. 19, F. & A. M., Adrian Chapter, No. 10, R. A. M., and one of the oldest members of Adrian Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar. He gave freely of his time and money to the construction of the present Masonic Temple in Adrian. He was a member of Michigan Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and was made a member of the Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty-third Degree, at Boston, on August 28, 1872. In religious work, born and raised in the fold of the Protestant Episcopal church, he never wavered in his allegiance: every effort to strengthen and upbuild he aided to the extent of his ability. He served as senior warden of Christ church nearly forty years, and for many years was superintendent of the Sunday school. Always deeply interested in the welfare of the city of Adrian, in the days of the old volunteer fire department, he was for many years an enthusiastic member. He served several terms as member of the school board, and one term as Mayor. September 5, 1854, he was united in marriage to Caroline Louisa Choate, daughter of Nathan and Louisa (Kimball) Choate, she being born at Derry, N. H., March 29, 1832, and moving with her parents to Adrian, during her early life, dying at Adrian, February 28, 1882. The children by this union were Frank Choate Bury, of Detroit; Mrs. W. E. Germaine, of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Richard Alfred Bury, of Cleveland, Ohio. March 27, 1883, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary W. Hoag. Mr. Bury died at the family home on Division street, June 6, 1902."
Source: ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND Biographical Record of LENAWEE COUNTY, MICH., By JOHN I. KNAPP AND R. I. BONNER, page 276.