Isaac H. Burch Died At Nice, France 1883

I. H. Burch died at Nice on Monday last.  His brother, Horace M. Burch, who resides at Little Fall, N.Y., received news by cable from his niece, a resident of Paris, wife of M. Ribot, a distinguished member of Corps Legislatis.  Message was sent to E.S. Isham of this city, who is connected to the Burch family by marriage. 

Mr. Burch in delicate health spent the last winter in Nice, one of mot popular resorts for invalids.  Consequently, the announcement of death was not much of a surprise.

Born at Utica, N.Y., 1815, about 68 at time of death.  Trained in the banking business at Buffalo, N.Y. and came from that city to Chicago about 1837.  He was intimately associated with early history of city, one of circle of men, many still living, who settled in Chicago about that time and by their energy and enterprise soon brought it into prominence as a business center.

Contemporary pioneers with Burch were John Wentworth, Walter S. Gurney, J.Y. Scammon, Norman B. Judd, Hugh T. Dickey, and Mark Skinner. Mr. Burch started in the banking business with partner Walter L. Newbury, with firm known as I. H. Burch & Co.  An elder brother, now deceased, also helped.  The firm employed a high reputation and for over 20 years was one of strongest in city.  At a comparatively early date the partnership with Newbury was dissolved.  About 1860 Mr. Burch became somewhat embarrassed and during the war panic of 1861 the bank was compelled to stop payment.  A block on the southwest corner of Wabash Ave. & Lake St. formed a portion of the assets, but the property was considered of very little value being some distance from the business centre and mortgaged for $75,000 which was more than it would bring.  The creditors refused to take it.  It was thus left in Mr. Burch's hand, and in a few years rose considerably in value, and formed for him the nucleus of another though smaller fortune.

Mr. Burch was for a long time engaged in settling his affairs, his domestic trouble at the same time adding to his embarrassment.  In 1865, he went to Europe accompanied by his daughter, who was then little more than a child, placed her in one of the Parisian boarding schools, and a few years later she married M. Ribot, a noted French politician.  Mr. Burch has visited Chicago several times, always counted himself one of its citizens, taking a great interest in its public affairs etc.  His property was burned during the Great Fire.  The site, however, was very valuable and rented at a high figure, and is at present leased by Mr. J.W. Doane.  He had interest in other property.

Suit was brought by Mr. Burch and excitement ran high in the community.  The case was tried at Napierville, Judge Norton presiding.  Mr. Beckwith represented the lady and Hon. Thomas Hoyne was for Mr. Burch.  Napierville was alive with people, the courtroom was crowded every day.  The jurors were allowed to have the society of their wives, and to make themselves at home.  It was said at the time that the friends of Mrs. Burch gave a handsome lace handkerchief to every juror's wife.