John Birch, also BURCH, was the son of Thomas Burch, born in Ireland, and Rachael Schrack, born in Marshall County, (W) Virginia. The mother's surname is that stated on the death record of Martin Todd Burch, brother of John, who served in Company "D" First West Virginia Infantry. The record of the West Virginia Adjutant General says John was born in Somerset County, Ohio. Perhaps that was Somerset, Perry County, Ohio.

1860 Census, Marshall County, (West) Virginia
BURCH (1527)
Thomas ...51-wm...farmer...VA
Rachel...47-wf...VA
John...21-wm...laborer...VA
Viancy...18-wf...VA
Maria...16-wf...VA
Margaret...15-wf...VA
Mary E...14-wf...VA
Eliza...12-wf...VA
Walter...9-wm...VA
Harvey...4-wm...VA
George...2-wm...VA

     At the outset of the Civil War, John served in the original Company "F" (later Company "G"), 1st (W) Virginia Infantry, organized for three months, May-August 1861. When the 12th West Virginia Infantry was formed in August 1862, he enlisted to serve for three years in Company "A." He mustered out at the end of the war, 16 Jun 1865.

     John Birch and his descendants, as well as some other related families, used the spelling BIRCH. However, in the pension and service records, the spelling is BURCH.

     On 24 Dec 1862, John Birch/Burch married Margaret Jackson at Hart's Run, Greene County, Pa.

1880 Census, District 212, Richland Twp., Ohio County, (West) Virginia
BIRCH (86/87)
BIRCH, John, 45, Coal Digger, OH OH OH
BIRCH, Margaret, 37, Wife, Keeping House, VA VA VA
BIRCH, Newton B., 17, Son, Coal Digger, WV OH VA
BIRCH, John, 16, Son, Coal Digger, WV OH VA
BIRCH, Samuel J., 14, Son, Coal Digger, WV OH VA
BIRCH, William, 8, Son, WV OH VA
BIRCH, Catherine, 6, Dau, WV OH VA
BIRCH, Martin, 5, Son, WV OH VA
BIRCH, Thomas, 3, Son, WV OH VA
BIRCH, Alice, 1, Dau, WV OH VA

     The names of all children, provided by Thomas Birch, were: Martin Todd, William Jackson, Margaret Jane, Cathrine, Grover, Newton B., Albert, John Alexander, Samuel J., George Thomas (called Thomas), Morgan H., Ella, and Alice.

     John Birch/Burch died 26 May 1901 at Rush Run, Jefferson County, Ohio and is buried at Warrenton Cemetery, with a Civil War Marker. His pension certificate was #834.716. His widow, Margaret, received a pension following his death, #528.654.