Bio: Thomas J. Burch, Bienville Parish La
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890
Submitted by: Gaytha Thompson



************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
************************************************
 


************************************************


Thomas J. Burch is a general dealer in merchandise at Arcadia, La., and has
also been a mayor of the town.  He was born on Blue-Grass soil December 9,
1839, but was reared in Missouri is an agriculturist, being seventh of the
following family of children: 0. C. (a merchant of Missouri), Tames H. (a
speculator of Missouri), J. S. (an agriculturist of that State), Henry (also
an agriculturist there), Edmund (a gold miner of California), D. F. (an
agriculturist of Denver, Col.), Thomas J., W. W. (a farmer of Missouri),
George W. (who died in infancy), Nancy H. (who died at he age of sixty years,
being the wife of George Barnes, a mechanic, carpenter and builder), Mary
J. (wife of Samuel Cheatham, a farmer of Missouri), Louisa (died at the age of
twenty-four years, the wife of A. J. Smith), and Martha Ann who died when nine
years of age).  The father vas a native of Calloway County, Ky., and was a
farmer by occupation.  He could remember some incidents of the War of 1812,
and was a soldier in he Mexican War.  His wife was also horn in Kentucky.  

Thomas J. Burch was educated in the common schools, but the opening of the
Rebellion prevented him from obtaining a more thorough education.  He enlisted
as a private in Company A, Ninth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned
to the Trans-Mississippi Department, his regiment and company being engaged in
the following battles: Lexington, Lone Jack, Pea Ridge, Saline, Mansfield and
Pleasant Hill.  As stated above he entered the service as a private, but was
promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, and had full control and charge of
his company until it vas disbanded.   His company was disbanded at Shreveport,
La., in April, 1865, after which Mr. Burch located in Bossier Parish, where he
superintended a plantation and carried on a mercantile business until 1871,
when he went to New Ringgold, Bienville Parish, and there pursued the
avocation of a farmer until 1884, since which time he has resided in Arcadia
and has managed a well-appointed mercantile establishment ever since. He
commenced for himself after the war without a dollar, but has been quite
successful in the accumulation of a competency, his present possessions being
the result of his own efforts.  

He was married in October, 1871, to Miss Mary A. Theus, who was born in
Georgia in 1847, her education being obtained in Mount Lebanon Male and Female
College, from which she graduated with distinction and honor, being chosen as
the valedictorian of the graduating class, her diploma testifying to her
accomplishments.  Four daughters and two sons have been born to them: Mary C.,
Anna Lou, John Theus, Rachel and Alice.  Ruth died in infancy.  

Mr. Burch has always been a Democrat, but has never been a bitter partisan. 
He held the position of mayor of Arcadia for three successive terms, and made
a popular and efficient official. While in office he was the motor power in
having the Saline swamp drained, which is now near the limits of the town, or
rather between the old and new Arcadia .  Mr. Burch is a Master Mason, and he
and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, being
enthusiastic workers in the Sunday-school.