Burcham, Frank H.

BURCHAM, MCNEE, AITKIN, STAFFORD

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 5/17/2010 at 13:29:59

History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Vol.II, 1912, p.145.

FRANK H. BURCHAM.

Frank H. Burcham is one of the well known residents of Blairsburg township, where he successfully engages in general farming and stock-raising. His boyhood was passed in La Salle County. Illinois, where his birth occurred on the 18th of November, 1862. His father, the late A. V. Burcham, was born in New York, while the mother, whose maiden name was Cornelia Schemmerhorn, was a native of Pennsylvania. The family removed to Iowa in 1878, first locating in the vicinity of Alden, Hardin county. Three years later they came to Blairsburg township, locating on the farm where our subject now resides. Here the parents passed the remainder of their lives, the mother's death occurring on October 16, 1901, and that of the father on October 29, 1908. To them were born six children, five of whom are living. Those beside our subject are as follows: D. B. and W. T., who are residing in the state of Washington; Stella, who is living in Seattle, Washington; Grant G., of Blairsburg township; and Walter James, who died twenty-seven years ago. They were all born in Illinois.

The education of Frank H. Burcham was largely acquired in the common schools of his native state, where he passed the first seventeen years of his life. He came to Hamilton County with his parents, and has ever since made his home in Blairsburg township. In common with the majority of youths who are reared in the country, his energies were early directed along agricultural lines, and by the time he had attained his majority he was thoroughly familiar with the duties and responsibilities of a farmer. As his father's powers of activity began decreasing with the passing years he assumed more and more of the duties connected with the operation of the home place, which he has ever since successfully cultivated. He is a man of earnest purpose and definite ideas, and pursues his undertakings in a well organized systematic manner, meeting with a corresponding degree of success. In addition to his interest in the old homestead he holds the title to another tract of a hundred and sixty acres of choice and well improved land in this township.

On the 17th of February, 1904, Mr. Burcham was married to Miss Elizabeth McNee, who was born in Blairsburg township, her natal day being the 11th of October, 1878. She was reared and educated here, and with the exception of eight years spent in Colorado has always made Hamilton County her home. She is a daughter of J. C. and Agnes J.(Aitkin) McNee, natives of Delaware County, New York, the father's birth having occurred on May 9, 1853, and that of the mother on the 1st of May, 1855. Mrs. Burcham is their eldest child, the other members of the family being as follows: Mrs. Jessie Brown, who was born on the 2d of August, 1880, and died on June 16, 1910; James W., whose birth occurred on the 31st of May, 1882, now a resident of Blairsburg; Mrs. Mary Stafford, who was born on August 3, 1884, also a resident of Blairsburg township ; Harvey, whose natal day was the 26th of September, 1886, of Blairsburg; Ralph, who was born on December 23, 1890, of Blairsburg; Thomas, who was born on March 2, 1893, and died in 1894; and Lela, who was born on the 12th of June, 1896, and is living at home with her parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Burcham have become the parents of three sons: Burdette Vincent, who was born on the 16th of November, 1904; Franklin Homer, whose birth occurred on the 4th of May, 1906; and Kenneth Harold, whose natal day was February 25, 1912. They were all born in the old Burcham family home in Blairsburg township.

The family attend the religious services of the Congregational church at Blairsburg, of which Mrs. Burcham is a member. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias, Mr. Burcham has always taken an active interest in local politics, supporting the republican party. He served for four years as assessor in his township, while for nine years he has held the office of trustee and has been renominated for the same office. He manifests the same positive qualities in the discharge of his official duties as characterize him in business, meeting the responsibilities of his position promptly and efficiently.