Sussman-Laabs

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, VOLUME II Containing A History of the County; its Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, etc., etc. CHICAGO: WARNER, BEERS & CO. 1885.

PART V. BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES.

PETER R. BIRCH, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Evansburg, was born October 27, 1846, in Vernon Township, and lives on the old 'farm on which his grandfather Birch settled in 1798, and on which his father was born. He is the son of James and Hannah (Bates) Birch, who, through the arduous labors incident to the early pioneers, left their descendants a goodly inheritance. Our subject's father was born April 12, 1802, in what was then Venango Township (now Vernon), and Peter R. was the sixth of seven children. He was married February 15, 1872, to Celestia E., daughter of John and Annie Melvin. Three children have blessed this union: James W., William A. and Freddie L. The ancestral estate on which Mr. Birch resides is situated six miles from Meadville. He deals largely in fine sheep and horses. Mr. Birch is one of the most valuable citizens in the township.