Birch - Thomas
Source: CITIZENS HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
INDIANAPOLIS – Date: Aug 10, 1940
Hays Birch, of Birch & Birch, Machinists
1001 East College, Crawfordsville, Indiana
Hays Birch, b. in Lexington, Ky., Sept. 28, 1868; s. of Wil-
liam and Helen (Hays) Birch.
William Birch, b. in England. When he was 10 years of age
he was brought to America by his father, William Birch, Sr.,
also a native of England, who lived in New York City for a
time, and later moved to Rolla, Mo., where his death oc-
curred. William Birch located In Cincinnati, Ohio, later in
Aurora, Ind., and about 1867, moved to Lexington, Ky. He
subsequently lived in Erie, Penn., and various other cities,
and in 1881 came to Crawfordsville, Ind. He was a machinist
by trade, and with his brothers, James and Thomas Birch,
estab. a machine shop at 1001 East College Avenue, which they
operated 25 years or more, under the firm name Birch Brothers.
William Birch d. about 1925. His wife Helen (Hays) Birch,
dau. of James M. and Elizabeth (Bailey) Hays, was b. at
Aurora, Ind. She d. in 1927. James M. Hays was a cabinet-
maker by trade. William and Helen (Hays) Birch were the par-
ents of 8 children, Hays being the second In order of birth.
Hays Birch, the subject of this sketch, attended pub. schs.,
and later learned the machinist's trade. In 1900 he and his
cousin, John Henry Birch, rebuilt the machine shop of Birch
Brothers, which had been destroyed by fire, and estab. the
firm, Birch & Birch. John Henry Birch d. in 1927, and Hays
Birch now is proprietor of this business, a general machine
shop. He employs from 8 to 25 men. Mr. Birch, who is ind.
in politics, is a mem. of the following: Elks Lodge; Mont-
gomery County C. of C.; Montgomery County Chapter, Citizens
Hist. Assn.; and Meth. Ch. His favorite recreation is motor-
ing.
In 1902, Hays Birch married Myrtle Huffman, dau. of Charles
and --- (Lowman) Huffman, both of whom are decd. Charles
Huffman was a painter by trade. Mrs. Birch was b. in Craw-
fordsvllle. Mr. and Mrs. Birch are the parents of 1 child,
Dwight William, b. in 1910. He is assoc. with his father in
business. He is married and is the father of 2 children,
Thomas Hays, and Sharron.