Son of George Burch and Martha Lawrence Burch. His children: Elizabeth, Ann, Mary, Lewis, William Davis, Nicholas Smith, George Andrew Jackson, Martha, Joseph W., James H., Rachel, and Jonathan Jones.

Obituary of James Black Burch from Newspaper Clipping, Oelwein, Iowa, 1886


Elder James B. Burch died at his residence in this city at 9 o'clock last Friday night, September 24, 1886, of cancer. Mr. Burch has for over a year been a patient sufferer from this dreaded disease and for months his death has been looked for. This cancer first made its appearance in 1862, but was removed and did not make its second appearance until about one year ago, on his under lip.

Mr. Burch was born in Surrey Co. North Carolina, October 17, 1801. He removed with his parents to Indiana in 1820. He was married February 13, 1822 to Sarah H. Walden. He removed from Indiana to Illinois in 1848 and from there came to Iowa in 1853, and settled on the present site of Oelwein near his son's Lewis M. Burch who came here the year previous. He afterwards removed to Bremer Co. then to Floyd Co. and then back to Fayette Co. where he has since lived. In 1855 his wife died and was buried in what is now known as the Oelwein cemetery (Oakdale cemetery). He was married again in June 1856 to Mrs. Mary Chance (Mrs. Mary Ann Chance Cohen who had son Jasper Chance and a daughter when married) who still survive him. By his first marriage he had thirteen children, eleven of whom are living. Of these, Lewis M. Burch and Mrs. Chas. Brown live in this vicinity, one daughter lives in Oregon (Martha), three sons in Kansas, a daughter in Colorado, a son in Nebraska, 2 sons in Chickasaw Co. and a daughter in Franklin Co. this state. There were no children by his second marriage. A son, James M. died in Indiana September 5, `846, and a daughter Mrs. Elizabeth Schneider died July 14, 1886 at her home north of Oelwein.

Mr. Burch had since early life been a devoted and consistent member of the Baptist church. He commenced preaching at the age of 20 years, and was licenced preacher for 12 years, when he was ordained. During the pioneer days he preached in this vicinity when meetings had to be held in the open air, there being no buildings large enough to accomodate the people who often came from a distance of 20 miles to attend divine services.

The funeral occurred last Sunday, from the Baptist Church and was largely attened by the many relatives and friends of the deceased. Rev. Blake, of Waterloo, delivered the discourse. The remains were interred in the Oelwein Cemetery.

Synopsis:

1801 October 17 born in Surry Co. North Carolina
1820 to Greene Co. Indiana with parents
1822 married to Sarah H. Walden
1848 to Illinois
1853 to Iowa, Fayette Co. Bremmer Co. Floyd Co. and Fayette Co.
1855 wife Sarah died, buried Oelwein
1856 June, married 2nd, Mrs. Mary Ann Chance Cohen
1886 died age 85, September 24, Oelwein, Iowa
Old School Baptist Minister