----Source: GREENWOOD GLEANER (Greenwood, Wis.) 08/22/1912

Burch, E.T. (2 JUL 1848 - 17 Augl 1912)

Every person in Greenwood, Clark County, Wis. felt an irreparable and keenly personal loss, when the news came from the Mayo sanitarium at Rochester that E.T. Burch had passed away last Saturday afternoon. The feeling of grief and sympathy for those nearest to him, which has taken possession of the hearts of everyone, is beyond human power to express. Nothing shows so well the character of this man as the manner in which he considered this fatal illness. After suffering for some time without complaint, with no thought for himself, but every thought for the illness, trouble and grief of others, he stole away quietly, seeking relief. During the time spent away from home, his first thought was for the ones he loved. When death was creeping upon him, he forced himself to write a message saying that if such a wish were not selfish, he would be so happy to see those he loved. He kept death away until his dear one reached him. No one could have met death more bravely and in a more Christian like spirit. While the comforting words of the 23rd Psalm were sounding in his ears, he passed into the valley of the shadow of death, with a smile upon his face and with the glad heart of one who has always walked in the paths of righteousness. Those last hours will always bring untold comfort to the brave one who helped him face death. The services to others done by Mr. Burch during his sixty-four years in this world can never be measured and will never be known. He, himself could not tell of them, they are forgotten because service was apart of his being. He surely had that best portion of a good man’s life, "those little nameless unremembered acts of kindness and of love." Those who knew and loved him best, say that his life was a monument of unselfishness.

E.T. Burch was born in Guldbransdalen, Norway, Jul 2, 1848. When he was two years of age, the family came to America and settled in La Crosse Co., Wis. When he was fourteen years old he went to Black River Falls and worked there. Later on he attended school at Galesville. He came from Galesville to Greenwood, thirty years ago last April. He was manager of the firm Jones Bros. & Johnson for some time and later bought a third interest in the business. As time went on, by his honesty and upright dealing and service to Greenwood, he built up the business which forms an important part of our city today. Mr. Burch was married in 1877 to Julia White, of this union, one child was born, Sadie, who is now Mrs. C.P. Hill of St. Paul. On Nov. 18, 1890, he was married to Belle Andrews of this city. Of this union another child, Edna, was born. It is for these two daughters that the father wished life’s richest blessings. Although Mr. Burch has been a member of the Lutheran Church for years, he has always done everything to further the work for good, done by every denomination in the city. He was a charter member of the Odd Fellows and has helped in every way to make their work effective.

The funeral was held from the house on Wednesday afternoon. Rev. Bastow, assisted by rev. Hendren, performed the ceremony and the body of Mr. Burch was laid to rest, literally buried in flowers, in the Greenwood Cemetery. No more fitting words can express the grandeur of the life and death of Mr. Burch than the poem entitle, "The Perfect Day", which has been set to music and was sung so beautifully by the choir at the funeral.

Research Notes

The above advertisement was found in the Greenwood Gleaner, 7 Mar 1902.