From the "History of Northeast Indiana, LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties" volume II, page 350 JOHN CHESTER BURCH, a progressive farmer in Otsego Township, is in the third generation of the Burch family, which performed some of the land clearing and other pioneer labors in Steuben County. It is a family of long standing and the highest integrity of character. John Chester Burch was born on the old homestead in Otsego Township, January 5, 1870, a son of Halbert and Mary(Rhinehart) Burch. His grandfather, Chester Burch was born in Vermont in 1810, was reared to manhood and married in Ohio, and in 1837 came to Steuben County, Indiana, settling in section 15 of Otsego Township. Chester Burch died January 26, 1879. His son Halbert was one of seven children and was killed in a runaway accident in November, 1872, when John Chester was only two years old. John Chester Burch grew up on the home farm under the care of his widowed mother, attended public schools, and for a number of years has successfully pursued farming and stock raising on 53 1/2 acres of the old homestead. He is a republican in politics. In 1892 he married Miss Bernice Lybarger. She was born in Starke County, Indiana, Septemeber 5, 1874, a daughter od Alonzo D. and Mary(Barnes) Lybarger. Her parents were both natives of Knox County, Ohio, where her father was born April 19, 1842, and her mother August 3, 1847. After their marriage they came to Kosciusko County, Indiana, later went back to Knox County, and in 1880 settled in Steuben County, where her father was a renter for a time but in 1896 bought a farm in Otsego Township. Her parents are still living in Steuben County, in Scott Township. Mr. and Mrs. Burch have five children: Vera, who attended the district schools and the high school at Hamilton and is the wife of Glenn Sewell; Wayne, a student in the Metz High School; Gael who finished the grammer school work; and Ford and Vanita, who are the youngest children. Submitted by: James L. Davis email: Jldcoonhunter@aol.com