Obituary of William Henry BIRCH, Hardin County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 1999 Wanda Reed Name of Deceased: William Henry BIRCH Name of Newspaper: Hardin County Independent Date of Newspaper: Dr. William Henry Birch, the son of Willliam James and Hirametta Lyons Birch, was born at Peters Creek, Illinois on November 8th, 1895. He died at the age of 97 years and 10 months at 9:33 p.m. August 31, 1993 at the Hardin County General Hospital, in Rosiclare, Illinois. Dr. Birch was the last survivor of nine children. His brothers and sisters were: Gula (a twin sister who died in infancy), Cora Cowsert, Alice Irby, Lula Ellis, Eva White, Daisy Barnard, Benjamin, and John Dewey. Of a marriage to India Vinyard, three children were born: Marian Virginia Busch of Long Beach, California; William Howard Birch of Olney, Illinois and Janette Anne Spees of Arlington, Virginia. Born of a marriage to Gladys Clark was a son Robert Warren Birch of Eagle Point, Oregon. Grandchildren are Carol Busch Haucenga of Long Beach, California; Brent Lee Birch, Olney, Illinois, Mary Elaine Pence of Daphne, Alabama; Karen Anne Spees of Arlington, Virginia; Natalie Rose Williams of Antral Point, Oregon; and Janet Elizabeth Ziegenhagen of Long Beach, California. There are also six great-grandchildren. Surviving nieces and nephews include; James Wayne Irby, of Ohio; Wilmetta Hawkins, of Rosiclare; Ethel Cloonan, of Denver, Co.; Troy and Birch Barnard of Elizabethtown; and James Weldon Birch of Eldorado. Dr. Birch will be remembered by many for his professional life in the practice of Denistry over 42 years. But he was also known for his love of the great outdoors and the pursuit of golfing, fishing, hunting, and his collection of fire-arms. He was a fierce competitor--so much so that to follow him in pursuit of games was likened to "running a military obstacle course. By the year of 1912 William was beginning his teaching career and taught at schools named Richland, Steele, Rosiclare and Keeling Hill in Hardin County. He served in WWI at Camp Taylor, Louisville, Kentucky and graduated from the Louisville School of Dentistry in the year 1926--the same year he began his practice of Dentistry in an office on the second floor of the Capital Theater building in Rosiclare. He served as County commissioner, was appointed as County Clerk, served on school boards and was active for many years in the First Methodist Church of Rosiclare. He served on the Quadri County Health Board and on the Draft Board in WWII. It is not possible to list all of such activities but for many years he played trumpet and later saxophone in bands--especially the Rosiclare Band. Dr. Birch had an uncanny memory of people, events, and places. He was sharp of mind to the very end--and was a great story teller. His writings in the Independent and Springhouse are recognized by many of his friends and he also left behind a treasure of data and recordings of his life's adventures that have not appeared in print. He began his writing of a chronology of events of his lifetime spanning almost ten decades, as a sequel to writings by his father. Although he was sort of a pioneer, in times when men were self-made, he was quick to encourage others to set goals and to achieve them. From his own writings--"In closing this chapter let me say that I loved the work I did and appreciated the opportunity to be of service to all my friends and some of my enemies." When once asked what he considered to be a successful man, he replied: "A man is successful who is respected in his community, who has earned an honorable living, and who has reared a family of children to enjoy life after his passing." As for our beloved father, grandfather, uncle and friend- May his soul rest in peace! ------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Wanda Reed