BIRCH-Jesse - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Jesse Birch was born in Licking County, Ohio March 11, 1820 and is the 4th of 8 children born to Thomas & Eleanor (Horn) Birch, natives of Maryland and West VA and of English and German descent. When a child, Thomas Birch went to VA where he subsequently married and engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1813. He then moved to Licking County, Ohio entered and bought 160 acres of land, which he farmed until 1854. He then moved to Attica, where he died June 18, 1856. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which Mr. Birch was a local preacher. He was a member of the Sons of Temparance. Jesse Birch farmed in Fountain County several years, then engaged in brick-making and the building trade at Attica. He was in mercantile and stock businesses at the same place 7 years. He next embarked in the grain trade at Independence Station, W & P Railway. In March, 1867 he moved to Adams Twp, Warren County where he had previously bought a farm. In 1878, he came to Oxford and was in the grain trade 7 years. He next embarked in the grade trade at Independence Station, W & P Railway. In March 1867, he moved to Adams Twp, Warren County where he had previously bought a farm. In 1873, he came to Oxford, and was in the grain trade 7 years. During that time, he owned and operated an elevator at Rankin, Ill. After this, he was in the cattle trade one year. Since then he has lived a retired life. Mr. Birch was married March 3, 1844 to Elizabeth Wiggins, a native of Ohio. They have one daughter, Elvesa J. He and wife are members of the Methodist Church, in which Mr. Birch has filled various offices. He is a member of Oxford Lodge, 190, AF & AM and is a Republican.