Arthur James Burch
Arthur James Burch
City of Troy

This biography is from Troy and Rensselaer County, New York, Volume III, by Rutherford Hayner, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., New York and Chicago, 1925. It was submitted by Debby Masterson.

ARTHUR JAMES BURCH�The city of Troy is fortunate in her long list of able and successful business men who are building for her an economic prosperity which is steadily attracting new residents and new business enterprises. One of the well-known business men of the city is Arthur James Burch, member of the board of directors and treasurer of the large concern which operates under the name of John Leggett & Son, Incorporated.

Mr. Burch is a son of Welling Wesley, who is in government employ as a railway postal clerk, and Jessie F. (Wait) Burch. Born in Easton, Washington County. New York, August 24, 1877, he received his earliest school training in District School No. 6, Easton, and then became a student in Marshall's Seminary, in the same town. He completed his preparation for an active career by taking a course in Troy Business College, Troy, New York, and then in 1893, found his first employment as bookkeeper for Edward B. Cox, of Troy, with whom he remained until 1897, when he entered the employ of the International Shirt and Collar Company in the same capacity. Six years later he was made a member of the board of directors and elected to the official position of secretary of that concern. He devoted his time and his energies to the duties of that position and then became a member of the board of directors and secretary of the Curtis Leggett & Company, of Troy, New York, which position he held for one year. In 1907 he was made the executive for the concern of John Leggett & Son, with whom he has remained to the present time (1923). His present official position being that of a member of the board of directors and treasurer. The concern is engaged in the manufacture of paper boxes and is one of the well-established enterprises of the city of Troy. In addition to his activities and responsibilities in connection with the concern already mentioned, Mr. Burch is also a member of the board of directors and president of the Troy Cooperative Savings and Loan Association, of Troy, New York. Mr. Burch is wellknown and very highly esteemed as a most capable and successful business man and though he has succeeded to a marked degree in his business connections, he has also found time for responsibilities of a public and semi-philanthropic nature. He is a member of the board of directors of the Leonard Hospital of Troy; director and vice-president of the Lansingburg Young Men's Christian Association; member of the Permanent Association Board of the Salvation Army, of Troy, New York; director of the Capital District Employers' Association, of Troy; and treasurer of the local council, Boy Scouts of America. He is also well known in fraternal and club circles. He is a member of King Solomon's Primitive Lodge, No. 91, Free and Accepted Masons, which he serves as past master and as present treasurer; Apollo Chapter, No. 48, Royal Arch Masons; Bloss Council, No. 14, Royal and Select Masters; Apollo Commandery, No. 15, Knights Templar; Oriental Temple, Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Delta Lodge of Perfection; Delta Council, Prince of Jerusalem; Delta Chapter, Rose Croix; Albany Sovereign Consistory, Supreme Princes of the Royal Secret; and of Iron Grotto, No. 14, Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, of which he is past monarch and present trustee. He is a thirtysecond degree Mason, and is also a member of the Masonic Club. He is a member of the Central Young Men's Christian Association, of Troy, New York; of the Troy Chamber of Commerce, which he has served as a member of the board of directors and as secretary of that board; of the Riverside Club, of Troy; of the Westminster Club, of Troy, which he serves as president; of the Rotary Club, of Troy, which he has served as president and secretary in 1916-17; and of the Troy Automobile Club, which he now serves as secretary and treasurer. His religious affiliation is with the Westminster Presbyterian Church, of Troy, which he serves as a member of the board of trustees. In all these many and various connections Mr. Burch renders valuable service, not only to the individual organization but to the community as well.

Arthur James Burch married, at Waterford, New York, November 21, 1900, Jessie E. Hemstead, daughter of John and Mary L. (Lewis) Hemstead. Mr. and Mrs. Burch have no children. Their residence is at No. 846 Second Avenue.



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