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William F. Birch
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Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914 Whether the elements of success in life are innate attributes of the individual, or whether they are quickened by a process of circumstantial development, it is impossible clearly to determine. Yet the study of a successful life is none the less profitable by reason of the existence of this uncertainty and in the majority of cases it is found that exceptional ability, was the real secret of the pre-eminence which many envied. So it appears to the student of human nature who seeks to trace the history of the rise of William F. BIRCH, a typical American of the best class. He has not yet reached the prime of life but has achieved a success that many an older resident of Morris county might envy. William F. BIRCH is owner of the Dover Boiler Works, is a member of the BIRCH & BASSETT Company, dealers in coal, grain, wood, and automobiles, and is a director in the New Jersey Manufacturing Casualty Insurance Company and director in National Union Bank, Dover, New Jersey. He has served his home city of Dover in the role of recorder and in 1910-12 was State assemblyman. At Newark, New Jersey, August 30, 1870, occurred the birth of William F. BIRCH, who is the son of Foster Frank and Isabella B. (MORRISON) BIRCH, the former of whom was born in the north of Ireland and the latter in Scotland. The father came to New Jersey in 1868 and in 1874 founded the Dover Boiler Works, one of the big and profitable business enterprises of Morris county. From a small beginning this business grew to extensive proportions and the company now employs a force of one hundred men and manufactures boilers, stacks, tanks and structural steel work. Foster Frank BIRCH retired from active participation in business in January, 1911, and since that time the subject of this review has been sole owner of the boiler works. To Mr. and Mrs. Foster Frank BIRCH were born the following children:
In his youth William F. BIRCH attended the common schools of Dover and for a time he was a student in the Trenton Model School. He completed a commercial course in the Cohen Business College at eighteen and then began to work under his father in the Dover Boiler Works. He received his business training in both the shops and the office of the above concern and with the passage of time thoroughly familiarized himself with every detail of the iron manufacturing business. In January, 1911, when the father wished to retire, he turned the entire responsibility of the business over to his son, who has since owned the same with most gratifying success. In addition to his interest in the Dover Boiler Works William F. BIRCH is a member of the BIRCH & BASSETT Company, extensive dealers in coal, grain, wood, and automobiles, and he is a member of the board of directors in the New Jersey Manufacturing Casualty Company of Trenton, and a director of the National Union Bank, Dover, New Jersey. In politics he is a Republican and in spite of his many business cares he has found time to take an active part in public affairs. For two terms he was recorder of Dover, serving as such from May 3, 1904, until June 1, 1909. In 1910 he was further honored by his fellow citizens, who elected him to represent the district in the State legislature: he was assemblyman in 1910 and 1912. Fraternally he is affiliated with the local lodge of the F. and A. M.; and with the B. P. O. E. and Heptasohs. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian church, in which he was president of the board of trustees for one year. In 1898 Mr. BIRCH married Anna Pauline DUNHAM, born and reared in Dover, daughter of Horace L. and Anna (BAKER) DUNHAM. Mr. DUNHAM was at one time mayor of Dover. Mrs. BIRCH has the following brothers and sisters:
Mr. and Mrs. BIRCH have four children:
This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003). |
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