From the Portrait & Biographical Album of Whitesie County
Originall Published 1885
Chapman Bros.
Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Harrison D. Burch, farmer, section 15, Union Grove Township, was born July 22, 1833 in Chautauqua Co., N.Y. He is the son of Ira and Joanna M. (Bacon) Burch, who were born respectively in New York and Vermont. After their marriage, they located in the State of New York, and a few years later they went to Indiana, whence they removed in 1837 to Illinois. They are mentioned in the records of the county as being one of four families who settled in the township of Garden Plain in that year. The father is deceased. The mother survives and lives in Union Grove Township. They have four children living, - Harrison D., Thomas J., Eliza S. and Ira S.

Mr. Burch was four years of age when his parents came to Whiteside County, and he has practically passed his life thus far within its limits, having spent but 18 months outside of them since he was brought hither by his father and mother. He is a farmer of extensive agricultural relations, owning 335 acres acres of land in Union Grove Township, which is nearly all under tillage.

The marriage of Mr. Burch to Elizabeth W. Wookey took place Jan., 1856, in Kenosha, Wisc. Mrs. Burch was born May 29, 1835, in England. She is the daughter of George and Maria (Bryant) Wookey. The family of her father came to America about 1850 and located in Kenosha, where he died, Aug. 28, 1854. The mother died in Union Grove Township, May 12, 1880. They had ten children, who were named Mary A., John, Sarah, James, George, Thomas, William, Jane, Elizabeth W. and Frank R. Mr. and Mrs. Burch have been the parents of 13 children, four of whom - William, Marion, Franklin and Nellie - are deceased. They were born in the following order: William, Thomas J., Franklin, Lafayette W., Marion, Mary A., Ella M., George, Lizzie J., Nellie, Bertie, Henrietta and Freddie.

In his political views and connections he affiliates with the Republican party, and he has been active in local official positions. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife also belongs.

The portrait of Mr. Burch appears on a preceding page and represents a man who is esteemed as a worthy citizen and an upright, honorable man. It is copied from a photograph recently taken.