JACOB BURGE (deceased), an honored pioneer
of Henry County, of April, 1835, was
born in Pennsylvania, Feb. 13, 1804, and
was the son of John and Margaret Burge
His parents were also natives of Pennsylvania and
removed to Licking County, Ohio, in 1812. Our
subject, Jacob Burge, was reared on his father's
farm, and when twenty years of age (July 29, 1824)
was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Neil,
daughter of James and Catherine Neil. Mrs.
Burge was born in Perry County, Ohio, Aug. 13,
1808. In 1833 Mr. Burge emigrated from Ohio
to Sangamon County, 111., where he engaged in
farming. In April, 1835, he emigrated to what is
now Henry County, Iowa, then Michigan Territory,
and located on what is now section 27, New London
Township, but was then unsurveyed Government
land. As soon as the public land came into
market, he entered an entire section, or 640 acres,
which he improved and retained in his possession,
with the exception of eighty-seven acres, until his
death, which occurred Aug. 24, 1876.
Mr. and Mrs. Burge had eight children born to
them, five daughters and three sons, four of whom are now living: Elizabeth M., born May 15, 1825,
was the wife of John Allsop, and died Feb. 9, 1846,
leaving one daughter; John W., born Feb. 19,
1827, died in his seventh year; Louisa J., born
March 30, 1829, was the wife of Samuel Lee, and
died Jan. 20, 1859, leaving one child, a son, and
one son died before his mother; Jeremiah J., born
April 11, 1831, married Mary Lawrence, and resides
in Butler County, Neb.; Nancy C, born
March 28, 1836, is the wife of John Prickett, residing
in New London Township; Rachel Jane,
born June 14, 1838, is the widow of Whitfield
Kirkpatrick, and resides in Jefferson County, Iowa;
Jacob Marion, born Sept. 21, 1847, wedded Essie
Cone, and died Dec. 24, 1870, leaving one child, a
son; Susan Emeline, born March 26, 1852, is the
wife of Willis W. Blacker, and lives on the old
homestead. Mr. Burge was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Democrat in
politics. He was an upright, honorable man, industrious
and temperate in his habits, and was
highly esteemed as n neighbor and citizen. He
came to this region in advance of civilization, when
his neighbors were few and far distant, and he and
his family had to put up with the discomforts of
pioneer life for several years, but by keen foresight
he erected a home in one of the most eligible sections
of this fertile region, and left his heirs a largo
and valuable property.
It is with great pleasure that we give on an adjoining
page portraits of this early pioneer and the
wife by whose help he created the home where she
yet lives, enjoying the fruits of their early industry.
Both were among the first pioneers of the country
and each enjoyed in a high degree the confidence
and esteem of the people who knew them well, and
many of whom their hospitable roof had sheltered
in early days.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Henry County, Iowa
ACME PUBLISHING COMPANY,CHICAGO:1888.