Jesse Jeremiah Burger (1839 - 1921)

Born 5 Dec 1839 in Franklin Township, Columbia, Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Husband of Anna Elizabeth (Schick) Burger — married 17 Dec 1863 in Lee County, Illinois

Descendants

Died 22 Feb 1921 at age 81 in Lee County, Illinois

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Biography

Biography: "Jesse Jeremiah Burger, a practical and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser living on section 18, Palmyra Township, is numbered among the settlers of 1855, and in the years that have since come and gone he has been prominently identified with the history of the community, especially in the line of its growth and development. We are pleased to present this record of his life to our readers, for he is both widely and favorably known in Lee County. "A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Burger was born in Franklin Township, Columbia County, December 5, 1839. Tradition says that the family is of German origin. "Jesse Jeremiah Burger was a youth of sixteen years when he came to this county. His father received the benefit of his labors until 1863, when he started out in life on his own account. Two years later he purchased the farm upon which he yet resides. The pride of Illinois is in her fine farms and among the best of these is classed the home of our subject. He now owns eighty acres of rich land and in return for his care and cultivation it yields to him a golden tribute. The improvements, both useful and ornamental, are many and the work of his own hands. In 1884, he built one of the largest barns in this locality and in 1887, erected his fine residence which is tastefully furnished and supplied with all the requirements of life, and a view of which appears elsewhere in this volume. "As a companion and helpmate on life's journey Mr. Burger chose Miss Anna Schick, who was born in the City of Brotherly Love, and when three months old was brought to this county by her parents, Mathias and Elizabeth (Obrist) Schick. Her father was a native of Germany, who, at the age of eighteen years, bade good-by to the Fatherland and crossed the Atlantic to America, locating in Philadelphia, Pa. There he followed the trade of blacksmithing, which he had learned prior to emigration. Three children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Schick in the East, after which, in 1842, they sought a home in Illinois, and in Prairieville the husband established a smithy. Later he engaged in farming in Lee and Whiteside Counties, but his death occurred in Palmyra Township in 1888, when seventy-five years of age. His wife had died thirteen years previous in the faith of the Lutheran Church, which Mr. Schick also held membership. "Mr. Burger exercises his right of franchise in support of Democratic principles, but has never sought or desired public office. Unto himself and wife was born one child, Mary, but she was called home at the age of two years and seven months. The home of this worthy couple is the abode of hospitality and their friends throughout the community are many." (Note: Only daughter, Mary is mentioned in this biography. This is probably because daughter, Ruth, was born out of wedlock before her parents were married). [Source: Portrait And Biographical Record of Lee County, Illinois, containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and the Presidents of the United States. Chicago: Biographical Publishing Co., 1892, pages 439-440].

Obituary: JESSE JEREMIAH BURGER, an old resident of Rock Falls, passed away at five o'clock this morning at his home on Avenue A., after a short illness. He was eighty-one years of age and had been in good health until on Friday of last week. He is survived by two brothers and four sisters besides his widow whom physicians report as being critically ill. His brothers are: Abraham J. Burger of Rock Falls, Lloyd Burger of Dixon, his sisters, Mrs. Christiana Clites of Faragot, Ia., Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts of Freeport, Mrs. Kate Wolcott of Pasadena, Cal., and Mrs. Ad. Jacobs of Sterling. The funeral will be held on Friday afternoon. Short services will be conducted at 12:30 from the home and the remains will be then taken to the church at East Jordan where services will be held at two o'clock. Interment will take place in the East Jordan cemetery. Friends are asked to please omit flowers. Other relatives who will be here for the funeral are Mr. and Mrs. Will Shaver of Iowa and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Smith of Cortland, Ill. [Source: Sterling, Illinois, Daily Gazette, 22 February 1921 issue, as published in "Obituaries for Whiteside County, Illinois" <http://www.iltrails.org/whiteside/obitB.html> as viewed on 18 October 2005].

Sources

• Portrait and Biographical Record of Lee County, Illinois, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Co., 1883.fPages 439-440.

• Ancestral File, version 4.19. As viewed on 27 February 2002.

• Handford, Thomas W, Sands of Time, The: A Book of Birthday Gems (Chicago: Donohue, Hennberry & Co., 1885). Page 258, (December 5). A birthday book kept by Pantha Hayward Barrett Schick. Photocopy in possession of Charlotte Ann Carter Schick.

• Cemetery Listing. East Jordan Cemetery, Sterling, Illinois, Whiteside County, Illinois, <http://www.iltrails.org/whiteside/cemjordan.html> as viewed on 16 February 2006.

• Cemetery Picture. Tombstone of Jesse J Burger and Anna E Burger, East Jordon Cemetery, Whiteside County, Illinois.

• Deaths. Whiteside County, Illlinois <http://www.iltrails.org/whiteside/deathsa-m.html> as viewed on 18 October 2005.

• Find A Grave, Jesse Jeremiah Burger <https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/93830710/jesse-jeremiah-burger> as viewed 22 February 2019.