Litchfield Daily Herald 8 Aug 1904
Sixth To Die In A Few Years
James Calvin BURGE Died Sunday Evening at Seven-Thirty, After Years of Suffering
James Calvin BURGE, eldest son of Reuben BURGE, living on the Fisher Place one mile northwest of the city, died Sunday night at seven-thirty, aged thirty-one years, five months and twenty-two days.
The funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at three o'clock at the house, Rev. A. L. Plowman and Elder M. W. GROVES, of Petersburg, officiating; interment in Elmwood cemetery.
Mr. BURGE had been suffering from the terrible affliction of consumption for several years, and the end was not unexpected. However, he passed away without a word, and seemingly without pain.
Mr. BURGE went to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and spent several months in the south-east in the hope of benefiting his health, but he returned home but little better.
With the death of James six members of the BURGE family have died with consumption within as many years, a mother, three sisters and a brother, the latter Elmer, having died some ten weeks ago.
James BURGE has worked in the capacity of clerk and bookkeeper for a number of our merchants. He was formerly manager of the Arthur Jordan Poultry company of this city.
At the beginning of the Spanish-American war, BURGE enlisted with Company K 4th Illinois volunteers from Litchfield, going to Jacksonville, Fla., Savannah, Ga., and Havana, Cuba, with the company.
In Cuba he was detailed to the hospital corps with the rank of sergeant.
He was mustered out with the company in Litchfield, May 9, 1899, his war record being good.
He was a member of the Francis E. Green post, 47?, Spanish-American Veterans, his being the third death in company K, Private Francis E. Green having been drowned in Havana, and Bert Seymour having been killed on the Wabash railroad. He was also a member of the Litchfield camp No. 325.
In November 1901, at Petersburg, Illinois, he married Miss Malissa LEATSON, who with a daughter, father, brother John, of Los Angeles. California, and three sisters, Misses Gertrude, Abbie and Hazel, survive him.
Submitted by: Chris Grove Surgis