George M. Burckhardt, an industrious young farmer of Silver Creek Twp. is finely located on section 9, and is the proprietor of a beautiful farm of 320 acres, under a good state of cultivation and supplied with first class buildings. This was the old homestead built up by his honored father, and here our subject first opened his eyes to the light, OCt. 24, 1848.
Henry Burckhardt, the father of our subject, was a native of Baden, Germany, where he grew to manhood and was first married to Miss Christiana Eder. This lady was a native of his own Province, and after the birth of one child, a son, whom they christened John, she closed her eyes forever upon the scenes of earth. Mr. Burckhardt was subsequently married to a sister of his first wife, Miss Regina Eder, and after the birth of another son, named Jacob, Henry Burckhardt set sail with his little family for the United States. The fame of the great West had long before reached the ears of the enterprising and industrious German laborer, and the father of our subject decided to make this the field of his future operations. Coming to Silver Creek Township, this county, he purchased eighty acres of land on Seciton 9, of which he took possession in the spring of 1847, and with the industry and perseverance which form one of the chief characteristics of his countrymen, he set about the cultivation of the soil, and by persistent and energetic labor soon began to reap a rich reward for his industry. After erecting the necessary buildings he wisely invested his surplus capital in more land, and at the time of his death, which occurred Feb. 6, 1886, was the owner of700 acres, besides having a snug sum laid away int he bank and land in Dakota Territory. His honesty and integrity had secured for him the respect and confidence of his fellow-townsmen and he had frequently been called upon to take charge of various offices, the duties of which he fulfilled with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He uniformly voted the Democratic ticket, and for many years was a member in good standing of the German Lutheran Church. His wife, the mother of our subject, still survives and continues on the homestead with her son. She is now 65 years of age and a member of the same church as her honoredhusband. Their household included ten childen of whom four survive.
Mr. Burckhardt, our subject, received his education in the district schools of Silver Creek twp. and after reaching manhood was united in marriage with Miss Katie Schaetzel at Freeport, Sept. 8, 1880. Mrs. B. is a native of the same Province as her husband, and came to this State with her father when a young woman. He was a farmer, miller and merchant, and acquired a good property. He is now connected with the Union County Bank at Elk Point in Dakota Territory, although having quite extensive interests in other places. His wife Catherine died in Freeport, Nov. 14, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Burckhardt have three children - Emma H., Freddie H., and Jacob G. They are members of the German Lutheran Church and politically Mr. B. votes the Democratic ticket. He has served as Township Collector and is considered one of the representative citizens of an intelligent and progressive community.
Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Illinois Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1888 p. 531
See Bio of his brother Jacob J. Burckhardt
