Obit from IL Genealogy Trails:

HARRISON DECATUR BURCH - The death messenger visited Morrison Thursday morning, December 21, 1911, and summoned to the great Beyond one of the early pioneers of Whiteside County, IL and well known resident of Morrison, IL. Harrison D. Burch died at his home on East Morris Street shortly before six o'clock Thursday morning after a three weeks illness of heart trouble and other complications. The funeral services will be held at the home at 1:30 Sunday afternoon. Rev. W. J. Abel will officiate. The remains will be laid to rest at Grove Hill Cemetery.

Harrison D. Burch was born in Chautauqua County, NY on July 22, 1833. He was a son of Ira and Joanna M. [Bacon] Burch. The family moved to Indiana shortly after the birth of their son, Harrison. In the year of 1837, the family moved to Illinois and settled in Garden Plain township (Whiteside County). The records show that they were one of four families who settled there that year. Harrison was four years of age when the family located in this county. His life practically covers the history of the development of Northwestern Illinois. He has seen the wild prairies and woodlands which were over run with Indians and wild game, transformed into a prosperous community. He attended the district schools and after he grew to manhood engaged in farming to success both in Garden Plain and Union Grove, IL.

In the year 1899 he retired from his farm in Union Grove and moved to Morrison. In connection with farming he was engaged in the buying and shipping of livestock. After his removal to Morrison, he formed a partnership in the livestock business with his son, the late Thomas Jefferson Burch. Mr. Burch has continued the livestock business under the firm name of Burch and Son since the death of the junior member several months ago. The firm was widely known and did a large business annually.

The marriage of Mr. Burch covered a period of over fifty-five years. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wookey at Kenosha, WI on January 1, 1856. His wife still survives him. To this union were born thirteen children. The following are living; Mrs. James Spears of Goffs, KS; Mrs. Harry Dysart of Franklin Grove, IL; L. W. Burch of Morrison; Herbert H. Burch of Union Grove; George W. Burch of Galt, IL, and Frederick Burch of Sterling. He is survived by two brothers and a sister, Thomas J. Burch of Fulton, IL, Ira S. Burch of Union Grove and Mrs. Eliza Clauff of Beaconsfield, IA.

Mr. Burch was always a Republican in politics and during his residence in Union Grove served two years as supervisor and filled other offices of trust. He was always held in high esteem by his fellow men for his fair and honorable business dealings. He leaves hundreds of friends who are grieved to hear of his death. -- Rootsweb World Connect from Carolyn Hackett Dowd