HORACE O. BURCH, of the firm
H. O. Burch & Co., who are general contractors for sidewalks and building
movers in New London, was born here, September 20, 1851, son of Isaac O.
and Mary Ann (Moore) Burch. The paternal grandfather, Isaac, who was also
a native of this county, married Nancy Pettigrew. They reared seven children,
of whom four are living, namely: Henry, a resident of this city; Nancy
Tinker, of East Lyme; and Hannah Noyes and Harriet Watrous, who reside
in Waterford. Grandfather Burch died on his farm in 1860, and his wife
in 1872, at the age of seventy-five years.
Isaac O. Burch, born in Norwich in 1822,
was engaged as building mover in New London for over forty years, having
begun with an ox team in 1846. In 1843 he married Mary Ann Moore. Of their
six children they reared: Francis Thomas, a farmer of East Lyme; Mary,
the wife of John A. Morgan; Horace O., the subject of this sketch; Annie,
who married Albert E. Harris, of this city; and Walter G. Burch, who also
resides in New London. The mother died here in 1879, at the age of sixty
years, and the father in 1889, aged sixty-four years. The mother's ancestors
settled in East Lyme at an early day. Her grandfather, Edward Moore, reared
ten children, of whom Jairus, an aged resident of Deep River, is still
living and active. Her parents, Edward and Mary (Gee) Moore, had six children,
of whom George W., Lydia M., and Adeline are now living in New London.
Horace O. Burch acquired a common-school
education. At the age of fifteen years he became a clerk in the grocery
store of the late William H. H. Comstock, remaining five years. Then, after
spending two years in the business for himself, he entered the employment
of his father in 1874. In 1884 his father received him into partnership.
At his father's death he succeeded to the business and considerable property.
The land on which the barns, sheds, and factory are located comprises four
acres on Truman and Grand Streets. Messrs. Burch & Co. make asphaltum
for sidewalks and artificial stone and coping. Mr. Burch has greatly improved
the stone or ornamental brick, the manufacture of which he and his father
began. The old farm, twenty acres, at Great Neck, on which is a large dwelling,
is also owned by Mr. Burch.
In politics Mr. Burch is an independent voter,
and he has served for three years in the Common Council. He is a member
of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the United Order of the Golden
Cross, and the American Mechanics' Association. On October 2, 1872, he
was united in marriage to Nellie E. Melzard, of Boston, Mass. Mrs. Burch's
parents, Thomas and Ellen (Peterson) Melzard, have both passed away. She
has three brothers and one sister, who are settled in Boston, Mass., and
Exeter, N.H. Her children were: Emma E., now the wife of Hervey E. Rogers;
Ernest W., an electrician in New York; Daisy E., who graduated from the
Williams Memorial High School in 1896, and died in October, 1897; Edward,
who is engaged with the Warren Chemical Manufacturing Company, New York;
and Mary Moore Burch, a healthy young miss of thirteen years. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Burch are highly respected members of the Methodist Episcopal
church.
Biographical Review Volume
XXVI
Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens
of New London County Connecticut
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1898
pgs 283 - 284
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