John Milton Burch

Notes:

From: Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, by Frank Esshom

Daniel Burch was privileged to live 53 years of earth life, but in that short span of time he had so many vital experiences, displayed such undaunted courage and demonstrated his industry and skill in so many ways, that the good example of his life shines out to his posterity like a bright beacon light, guiding the way to eternal life and happiness.

This man learned to put first things first. He was a versatile man of many skills, a man of industry and foresight. He had a strong faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He had great respect for the early leaders of this church. When these leaders were inspired to lead the persecuted Saints from Nauvoo, Illinois, westward to seek a new home, Daniel Burch Jr. did not hesitate to fall in with the plan. he worked in the wagon shops of Nauvoo, where teams hauled in green timbers and the other materials to be used in making the wagons for their departure westward. Perhaps this was the wisest choice he ever made -- to make the hazardous trek from Nauvoo on west to the Rocky Mountains with his wife Ann and a family of seven children. For this choice gave his posterity the privilege of being born in one of the most colorful parts of our great nation. For those who prized the birthright that it made possible, it also meant the opportunity of being born "in the Covenant" and into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.It is traditional family information, handed down within the family, that Daniel Burch Sr., was Pennsylvania "Dutch" and that he had Americanized the spelling of the family name to Burch.

Daniel Burch Jr. was the son of Daniel Burch Sr., an immigrant from Germany.According to family records, Daniel Burch Sr. and his wife Rebecca Dumford (Hunter), a widow, were married in Clark County Kentucky, in 1795.

Because of widespread persecution of the Saints, a call went out from the Church leaders to all organized branches of the Church to gather in Nauvoo. No doubt it was very difficult for the Daniel Burch Jr. family to leave their loved ones and their established home in Springdale, but this is exactly what they did.

One can easily imagine Daniel Burch Jr. in the midst of these frantic preparations, participating in the constriction work, particularly in view of the mechanical skill that was later to be demonstrated many times of the trip west and in the settlement of Weber County. The the month of February, 1846, the Saints start to cross the Mississippi River on their westward move. Daniel Burch Jr. and his family were in the first groups to leave. They must have been valuable members of the migrating group. His wife was an intelligent, courageous women whose skills and understanding no doubt were helpful in many situations while making the trek across the plains in establishing a new home in the Rocky Mountains.

The family moved to Winter Quarters, and Daniel and Ann Burch received their Patriarchal Blessings before leaving for the Salt Lake Valley. These blessings were given February 12 and 22, 1848, by Issac Morley, Patriarch in the Camp of Israel, at Winter Quarters. The blessings are recorded in Patriarchal Blessings from 1847 to 1854, Morley, Volume 14 page 21. This book can be found in the Latter-Day Saints Church History Department in the Church Administration Building, Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Daniel Burch Jr. family where part of the Lorenzo Snow Company.

Daniel married Ann Wilson McClellan on 11 Nov 1829 in Springdale, Hamilton Co, OH. Ann (daughter of James McClellan and Anna Giffin) was born on 1 Nov 1807 in Springdale, Hamilton Co, OH; died on 9 Sep 1874 in Ogden, Weber Co, UT. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Died:
Ogden (Burch Creek), Weber Co, UT

James married Anna Giffin. Anna was born about 1783. [Group Sheet]