George W. Burch 1836-1901

MERRITT, BURCH, BEATTLE, HUBBARD

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 12/28/2016 at 00:11:17

Dubuque Daily Telegraph – May 2, 1901

FINAL SUMMONS
~
EX-MAYOR GEO. B. BURCH
PASSES AWAY AT 7:30
THIS MORNING
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DEATH FOLLOWED THE OPERATION
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Deceased Was a Leading Capitalist
And Was Identified With Many
Business Dealings
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Dubuque is again called upon to give up one of its most esteemed and highly respected citizens, Ex -Mayor George B. Burch who passed away at the family residence, 381 West Third Street, at 7:30 this morning. The public is hardly prepared to receive this bit of news, and mention was first made on Tuesday evening of the sudden illness of the deceased, and again last night of an operation having been performed on him yesterday. Less than a week ago Mr. Burch was taken down with resembling peritonitis which subsequently developed into an appendicitis, and on Tuesday specialist were summoned from Chicago who conferred with the family physician, and yesterday forenoon a Chicago doctor performed the operation. He seemed to rest fairly well during the day, but last night conditions changed, and the end came suddenly. While the deceased had not resided in Dubuque as long as many others of his age and business standings, yet his great activity in business enterprises, as well as his activities on the streets, brought him in contact with the public at all times. He was of the sturdy, self-made type of men, who know of no such thing as fail, and from a poor boy without any endowment save that of strong character and high aim in life, he rose to a high plane in the business world, and died respected and revered by this entire community.

The deceased was a Freemason, and while not a member of any church, Mr. Burch was a regular attendant at the First Congregational Church, and was a very liberal contributor to all religious organizations, and the above church in particular. He held many positions of trust, and was treasure of the Key City Gas Company at the time of his death.

The deceased was born in Lyons County, New York, on March 22, 1836. His parents were also natives of that state. His early education was obtained in the public schools, his father being a man of only moderate circumstances. At the age of fourteen years the boy commenced life for himself by entering the employ of a druggist as clerk, and later served in many other clerical positions, and in 1855 came west and settled in Portage, Wisc., where in 1859, he formed a co-partnership in the drug business under the name of Burch & Lewis. In the latter part of that year he sold his interests and removed to Neceda, Wisc., where for a year was employed as bookkeeper and in 1861 engaged in the lumber business at that place. In August 1869, he removed to Dubuque, where he engaged in the lumber business in connection with the business in Neceda, where his business greatly increased. At one time he was president of two lumber firms at Neceda and in 1881 he sold out his lumber business in Dubuque but retained until a year ago his interests in the Wisconsin town. In 1884, deceased was elected president of the Second National Bank of this city, which office he has ever since held. He was public-spirited and was a leading spirit in building the Dubuque and Northwestern Railroad, now the Chicago Great Western in which he has always had an interest. He was also a promotor in building the Julien House, in which corporation he was a director until his death. He was a large stockholder in the Norwegian Plow Company, and many other large industries of Dubuque, and owned large tracts of real estate in the city and country outside. He was also vice-president and director of the High Bridge for a number of years, and was one of the originators of the Finley Hospital and the Home for the Friendless. The deceased only recently fitted up and furnished a complete library in the latter institution. In 1876 he was elected Mayor of Dubuque and was the unanimous chose of both parties.

In 1860 the deceased was united in marriage to Miss Ellen H. Merritt, of Vermont, who, with five children survive him. They are James M. of this city, Fred T. of New Mexico, George S. of Minneapolis, Mrs. A. L. Hubbard of South Bend,, Ind., and Mrs. R. H. Beattle of Falls River, Mass. All have been notified and will arrive in time to attend the funeral.