John Christopher Burch (1827 - 1881)

Born 27 Oct 1827 in Jefferson, Georgia, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 28 Jul 1881 at age 53 in Washington, District of Columbia, United States

John Burch is Notable.

Biography

John Christopher Burch (October 27, 1827 – July 28, 1881) was Secretary of the United States Senate.

Burch, son of Morton N. and Mary (Ballard) Burch, was born in Jefferson County, Georgia, October 27, 1827.

He graduated from Yale College in 1847. He studied law with Gov. Charles McDonald of Georgia and practiced for three years in his native State, removing to Chattanooga, Tenn., in 1852. In 1855 and 1856 he was elected to the lower house of the Tennessee State Legislature, and in 1857 and 1858 to a seat in the Tennessee State Senate, bringing such a reputation for ability and fairness that he was made the presiding officer, notwithstanding his youth and little experience.

In 1859 he removed to Nashville, undertaking besides the practice of his profession the editorship of the Nashville Union and American, the old Democratic newspaper of the State. During the stormy canvass of 1860, he took the Southern side with fervor in his editorial position, and from 1861 to 1865 served faithfully in the Confederate Army, at first on the staff of Gen. Pillow, and subsequently as aide to Gen. Forrest and Gen. Withers.

At the close of the American Civil War, he resumed the practice of law in Nashville, and was attaining high rank at the bar, when in 1869 he was tempted to purchase a controlling influence in the paper which he had formerly edited, and to assume the duties of managing editor. He was thus occupied for the remaining years.

In 1873, he was appointed as Comptroller of the State; there were allegations that Burch had purchased this office, but an investigation officially cleared him.

In March 1879, he was elected Secretary of the US Senate, under the Democratic reorganization. In this situation he won the esteem of Senators of all parties, and at his death left an excellent record for probity and efficiency. He died in Washington, July 28, 1881, in his 54th year, from heart disease, supervening on an existing complication of diseases of the liver and kidneys.

He was married in 1852 to Lucy Newell, who survived him with four sons and two daughters.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Christopher_Burch

https://www.geni.com/people/Col-John-C-Burch-US-Senator/6000000018011736808

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/92889079

"United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZYH-PM6 : 12 April 2016), John C Burch, Murray county, Murray, Georgia, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

"United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MD8L-NXG : 12 April 2016), John C Burch, Tennessee, United States; citing p. 53, family 464, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 553,020.

"United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MD7M-X66 : 20 February 2021), John C Burah, District 10, Davidson, Tennessee, United States; citing enumeration district ED 70, sheet 156C, NARA microfilm publica...

"Tennessee Deaths, 1914-1966," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NSRN-X9Z : 15 October 2018), John C. Burch in entry for John Christopher Burch, 16 Sep 1946; Death, Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee, United States, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville.

Obituary of John Christopher Burch, Yale College, Class of 1847. "Obituary Record of Graduates of Yale College, Deceased during the Academical Year ending in June, 1882," presented at the meeting of the alumni, June 27th, 1882. Digital image at http://mssa.library.yale.edu/obituary_record/1859_1924/1881-82.pdf

"District of Columbia Deaths, 1874-1961," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F7YW-KM6 : accessed 10 May 2021), John Christopher Burch, 28 Jul 1881, District of Columbia, United States; citing reference ID cn 29452, District Rec...