Biographies:  Charles S. BURCE, Brunswick Township, Eau Claire Co., WI 

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Among the younger class of wide-awake farmers of Eau Claire county is 
Charles S. Burce, of Brunswick township, where he was born May 1, 1887.  His 
father, Charles Edwin Burce, was born in 1844, near Durham, Maine, and was 
raised on a farm and received his education in the common schools.  When the 
civil war broke out, he enlisted in the 17th Regiment Maine Volunteer 
Infantry on President Lincoln's first call for troops, and served four 
years.  He came to Eau Claire county in 1867 and purchased a farm in 
Washington township, but later moved to Brunswick township and there made 
his home successfully engaged in farming until 1912, when he retired, owing 
to poor health, and now makes his home in Oakland, California, with his 
daughter, Mrs. Thomas Brown.  He is a son of Silas Burce, for many years a 
prominent citizen of the state of Maine.  During his residence in Brunswick 
township Mr. C. E. Burce was considered one of the most progressive farmers 
and citizens and for many years was a member of the town board and the 
Methodist church.  He married Francis Powers, who was born in Penobscot 
county, Maine, daughter of Andrew and Mary (Howard) Powers, but descended 
from prominent New England families, who can trace their ancestors back to 
the pilgrims.  To this union were born nine children as follows: Effie, 
married Thomas Brown, a retired grocer of Oakland, California; Ethel, 
married Thomas Hobbs, a farmer of Washington township; Laura, married 
John _____, former superintendent of Eau Claire county schools; Ruth is a 
school techer in Washington township; John is a machinist of Toronto, 
Canada; Charles S. the subject of this sketch; Jessie; Leander and Burnice, 
who died young.

Charles S. attended the public schools and assisted his parents in the farm 
work.  He later went to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and spent one year with the 
Smith Manufacturing Company, learning the trade of machinist and blacksmith, 
after which he went to Manitoba and worked in the great wheat fields, later 
attending the Fair at Seattle, Washington, whence he returned to his home in 
the town of Brunswick and engaged in farming with his father and since the 
latter's retirement in 1912, has carried on the home farm of 280 acres.  He 
uses modern methods in his farming operations and keeps the place well 
supplied with modern and up-to-date machinery and labor saving devices.  He 
is a member of the M. E. Church, and has filled the office of road 
commissioner.  He married Miss Anna Knuteson, daughter of Eric Knuteson, of 
Drammen township.

--Taken from "The History of Eau Claire County, 1914, Past & Present",
pages 662-663.