BURTCH, Joshua G. [1918]
BURTCH, ROOT, WHITE, GARFIELD, MARKHAM, SLADE, BENEDICT, CATHERMAN, TUBBS, BUSH
Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 6/13/2010 at 21:41:59
Joshua G. Burtch is now living retired in Osage, where he has made his home since 1894. He was formerly prominently identified with farming interests in this part of the state and through his well directed energy and industry he acquired the competence that enables him to rest from further labor. He has passed the eighty-fourth milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred in Guilford, Chenango county, New York, August 9, 1833, his parents being Ezbon and Sophronia (Root) Burtch. The former was a son of James and Sarah (White) Burtch. The grandfather was born in Dutchess county, New York, June 10, 1775, and passed away on the 26th of November, 1873. His wife was born December 22, 1777, in Dutchess county, and died on the 17th of March, 1865. Their son, Ezbon Burtch, was born June 21, 1804, in Dutchess county, and passed away on the 1st of April, 1869, while the mother of our subject was born in Chenango county, New York, April 7, 1808, and died August 7, 1854. The father afterward married again, his second union being with Abigail Slade. There were five children of the first marriage, the brothers and sisters of Joshua G. Burtch being Judson, Adoniram J., Adarista and Mary Ann.
Joshua G. Burtch was the second in order of birth. He pursued his education in the schools of New York and at the death of his mother started west, being then a young man of twenty-one years. He had previously taught for three winter terms in the district schools of the Empire state, receiving eleven dollars per month for his first year's teaching, while the second year brought him an increase of salary to sixteen dollars per month and the third year to eighteen dollars. On leaving the Empire state he removed to Springhill, Ohio, and for one winter taught school.
In the following spring, in company with a companion, he drove overland to Rochester, Minnesota, where he took up land, preempting one hundred and sixty acres, which he purchased at a dollar and a quarter per acre. He afterward returned to Ohio in order to teach school through the succeeding winter, and in the next spring he went to Jamestown, New York, where he was married in 1856 and then to Minnesota, where he remained for ten years. In 1866 they returned to New York and the following year they established their home at Burr Oak, Mitchell county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm. For twenty-five years he occupied that place, converting his land into rich and productive fields and adding to his farm many modern and attractive improvements which greatly enhanced its appearance and its worth. In 1892 he removed to Osage, where he has since made his home, enjoying the fruits of his former toil.
On the 11th of May, 1856, in Jamestown, New York, Mr. Burtch was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Garfield, who was born October 17, 1836, in Busti, New York. She passed away January 20, 1879. There were seven children of that marriage: James Howard, who is now deceased; Jennie M., the wife of William Markham, of Osage; Addie, Betty and Ada M., who are deceased; Lucien J., who married Louise Catherman and resides at Blooming Prairie, Minnesota; and Lucia May, the wife of L. G. Benedict, of San Jacinto, California. On the 28th of December, 1881, Mr. Burtch was married to Miss Fannie Bush, who was born March 3, 1849, near Jamestown, New York. They have one child, Verna, who was born in Mitchell county and is the wife of Clayton E. Tubbs, of Osage.
Throughout his entire life Mr. Burtch has been a devoted member of the Baptist church, doing all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. By precept and example he has furthered its teachings, and at all times his aid and influence have been given on the side of right and progress. He can therefore look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear. His has been indeed a well spent life and he comes to the evening of life crowned with the blest accompaniments of age—the respect, the honor and the friendship of those with whom he has come in contact.
Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, Vol. II, 1918, pages 276 & 281.
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