Ira Burch was a native of New York State, and born May 24,1800. He remained on the farm with his father until he was twenty-one years of age, when he commenced sailing on the lakes until 1832, being a captain for several years. On the 5th of April, 1832, he married Miss Joanna M. Bacon, of Ripley, Chautauqua county, New York. Mrs. Burch was born in Sunderland, Bennington county, Vermont, August 1, 1817.

The children by this marriage have been: Harrison D., born July 22, 1833; Thomas J., born November 9, 1835; Eliza S., born December 14, 1837; William H., born August 14, 1840; Merritt, born December 20,1841; Judson, born February 4,1843; Ira S., born June 25, 1844. Of these children, William H. died October 14, 1840; Merritt died March 1, 1842; and Judson died August 28, 1843. Harrison D. married Miss Elizabeth W. Wookey, January 1, 1856, and lives in Union Grove; Thomas J. married Miss Mary A. Cooley, July 4, 1858, and lives in Garden Plain; Eliza S. married George Cluff, October 8, 1855, and lives in Garden Plain; and Ira S. married Miss Margaret A. Thompson, March 12, 1866, and also lives in Garden Plain. Ira Burch, the subject of this sketch, came to Whiteside county in 1837, and settled on the west side of the cattail, a part of his land being in Union Grove, and part in Garden Plain, his house being in the former township. He died of lung fever, on the 10th of March, 1846. after an illness of five days.

Bent - Wilson History of Whiteside County 1877
**(Note) - From Reta Kleve: The only daughter of Ira Burch and Johanna M. Bacon was my gg grandmother. Her name was Eliza Susannah Burch. She was born on the homestead. Her husband's name on the marriage certificate was Cluff. It is that way in one Whiteside Co census but ever after that he and all his descendants go by Clauff. Harrison Decatur Burch the oldest son was born at Chautauqua Co NY. The second son Thomas Jefferson Burch was born on the homestead at Noble Twp. LaPorte Co IN. The 3rd son Ira Sylvester Burch was born at Whiteside Co IL.