Benjamin Franklin "Frank" Birch (1852-1941)

BIRCH, WELLS, KRINK

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 4/25/2026 at 21:16:31

From Nevada Evening Journal July 29, 1941 (page 4)

Funeral Services for a Real Pioneer

Special to the Journal:
McCallsburg, July 29--Graveside services for Benjamin F. Birch, who had died Thursday, July 24, were held in the Warren township cemetery Saturday forenoon with Rev. Jos. M. Kennedy of Nevada, officiating, pallbearers were F. E. Nail, John Schauper, J. R. Morris, R. E. Baumgardner, Rasmus Thompson and W. T. Tett.

Mrs. F. E. Nail sang two songs, "Some Day the Silver Cords Will Break" and "Under His Wings."

Burial was made beside the wife who preceded his in death many year ago.

Relatives here for the funeral services were Mr. and Mrs. Orville Krink and daughter, Patricia of Sheffield, and Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Birch and three daughters of Carroll.

Benjamin Franklin Birch, better known to his friends as Frank Birch, was born in Indiana on April 28, 1852. He came to Story county in an early day and lived near McCallsburg. At that time most of the county was prairie land and was used only for grazing cattle. Mr. Birch was one of the real pioneers with memories going back to the time of a log cabin home on the prairie.

Mr. Birch was married on Oct. 20, 1875, to Miss Melissa Amanda Wells. Ten children were born to them, but the family was badly broken up in an early day with a scourge of diphtheria. Five of the children died of this dreaded disease within a short space of two weeks, and shortly after a son was born but died, making six in a short time. This was an all too common experience in the pioneer days of our of our early development. Death came to Mrs. Birch in the 35th year of their married life, on Sept. 3, 1910.

Mr. Birch lacked only a few months of being 90 years of age at the time of his death. Bronchial pneumonia and complications of old age claimed him on the 24th day of July, 1941, at which time he was 89 years, 3 months and 4 days old.

He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Nettie Krink of Sheffield, Ia., and by two sons Howard Birch of Itaska Park, Minn., and Clyde Birch of Carroll, Ia. Eight grandchildren and other more distant relatives also survive. Another son, Charles, died about three years ago in Illinois. Having lived a long and useful life. Frank Birch will be remembered as one of the men who helped to establish our ordered communities of the present day.

Through all the sorrows and hardships sustained during his long span of years he never complained and was always cheerful. He was a kind husband and a loving father, always interested in the welfare of his children.

After his home was broken up he spent a part of his time with his children and other relatives, making frequent visits back to the "Burg" which was home to him. Any one knowing Frank knows his greatest pleasure was to go fishing. About three years ago it became necessary to take him to the county farm as a mental patient where he remained until he passed away last Thursday afternoon. Thus another truly pioneer of Warren township has gone to his reward.