Biographical Sketch of Edwin K. BIRCH; Philadelphia Co., PA

Contributed to the PAGenWeb Archives by Diana Smith 
[christillavalley@comcast.net] 

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"Philadelphia, A History of the City and its People; A Record of 225 Years"
Publisher:  S. H. Clark; Philadelphia; 1912.     Vol. 4, page 103
Author, Ellis Paxson Oberholtzer
 
EDWIN K. BIRCH

     Edwin K. Birch was born April 7, 1839, in Philadelphia, and died in this 
city on the 17th of June, 1898.  His parents were Thomas and Mary (Steinmetz) 
Birch, also of Philadelphia, and the father was one of the first auctioneers of 
the city, conducting his business near the old coffee house at Second and Market 
streets.  He became one of the most prominently known men, his business 
interests bringing him a wife acquaintance, while his ability placed him in a 
leading position in his field of labor.

     Edwin K. Birch was educated in the public schools of Philadelphia and at 
the age of seventeen or eighteen years he became a dry-goods clerk, which 
position he occupied for a short time.  He then became his father's assistant 
and under his direction  learned the business of auctioneering and became his 
father's successor at the latter's death.  He then continued the auctioneering 
business until his own demise in 1898.  As a business man he sustained an 
unassailable reputation for his honesty.  Never did he misquote an article and 
his word came to be recognized as one in which implicit confidence could be 
placed.  Because of the uprightness of his life he was a man who feared none, 
never courted favor but enjoyed the friendship and the warm regard of all who 
knew him.

     On the 23d of January, 1877, Mr. Birch was married to Miss Ellen B. 
Brenner, a daughter of John G. and Anna B. (Fordney) Brenner, of Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania.  Her father became on of Philadelphia's pioneer hardware 
merchants, conducting business for many years on Market street.  He was also one 
of the charter members and directors of the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company 
and was connected with many important business enterprises of the city.  Unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Birch was born a daughter, Nan Brenner Birch, who is at home with 
her mother.

     The death of Mr. Birch occurred in 1898 and was the occasion of deep regret 
not only to the members of his immediate family but to the friends whom he had 
won over a wide territory.  He was a home-loving man, devoted to his family, was 
fond of music and a splendid entertainer.  In conversation he also held the 
interest of his auditors, enriching his talk with many interesting anecdotes 
which came to him through his own experience.  His life was the exemplification 
of may sterling qualities and he left to his family the priceless heritage of an 
untarnished name.