In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1841, Hardy county
From The history of Jasper county, Missouri : including a condensed history of the state, a complete history of Carthage and Joplin, other towns and townships : together with numerous portraits of prominen (1883)
JOHN W. BURCH was born January 30, 1841, in Hardy county, Yirginia. His father, Covington, and his mother, Elizabeth A., nee Tharp, were natives of Virginia. John W. was was born on a farm. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Regiment Volunteers, and served with distinction for three years, being most of the time on detached duty. In the fall of 1865 he came to Benton county, Missouri, and in 1867 to Jasper county, locating at what is now known as the Burch Mines, which were named after his father. He was engaged in mining and teaching school until 1874 when he was appointed deputy treasurer and collector of Jasper county. In 1877 he was appointed deputy county clerk, and served until 1878, when he was elected recorder of deeds for Jasper county, which position he held until January 1, 1883. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He was married in 1867 to Nancy E. Barnett, a native of Benton county, Missouri. They have three children living and one deceased.
As printed in The history of Jasper county, Missouri : including a condensed history of the state, a complete history of Carthage and Joplin, other towns and townships : together with numerous portraits of prominent (1883). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1883. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.