Charles Birch. The farming community around Rantoul has no more progressive and public spirited citizen than Mr. Charles Birch, whose home is in section 21 of Rantoul Township. Mr. and Mrs. Birch have a model country home, and though still comparatively young they have surrounded themselves with ample comforts and have been able to liberally provide for a growing family of children.
Mr. Birch was born in Piatt County, Illinois, a son of Thomas and Jane (Thompson) Birch. His parents were natives of Ireland and came to this country in early life. Mr. Charles Birch received his education in the schools of Piatt County, and from early manhood has followed steadily and sturdily the vocation of farming.
On August 26, 1902, he married Miss Margaret Ward, a native of Champaign County. Her parents, Patrick and Mary (Williams) Ward, were also natives of Ireland. Mrs. Birch received her education in Champaign. They started their married life at Bondville in this county, and being without capital to buy land of their own they rented a tract and farmed it six years. Both of them exhibited business capacity and were willing to live economically and simply in order to get a start. About eight years ago they bought 160 acres contained in their present farm. Their home is four and a half miles northwest of Rantoul. They have excellent building improvements and conduct their farm on a business like basis. They also own 180 acres in Moultrie County, Illinois.
The children born into their home are named Mary, Genevieve? Ward, William, Margaret, Ilene and John Joseph. These children have been well educated in the Ludlow Center School, and Mary, who completed the eighth grade, is now a student in the Rantoul High School. Mr. and Mrs. Birch attend the Catholic Church at Rantoul, and were both reared in that faith. Politically Mr. Birch votes as a Democrat. He is the type of man who believes in making his citizenship count for good to the community as well as for his own and family’s prosperity. When a meritorious undertaking is broached he is sure to give it his unqualified support, and, so far as his means permit, his financial assistance. This has been proved on numerous occasions. He has a special interest in the oncoming generation and is willing to sacrifice something of his own benefit in order that the children may have adequate school advantages. He is serving as a school director and has been a justice of the peace and township collector. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.