Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-03-30
END COMES WITHOUT WARNING
TO ONE OF LAST OLD sUsl-
D. NESS MEN OF CITY.
HAD BEEN RESIDENT OF
THIS CITY SINCE 1870
Was in Drug Business For Several
Years, and Was Pioneer Cannon Of
city-Was President OF Marshall
Cemetery Association and Former
Member Of Council and School Board.

Death came without warning a. S.: As
Wednesday night to Abner T. Birchard,
one Of the last OF the old-time bus-
ness men Of the city. and a man wide
ly known for his progressive spirit in
the upbuilding Of his home town.
Mr.. Orchards death was due to
heart disease, and came quietly at his
home 404 West State Street. Mr..
Birchard had been feeling exception
ally we'll and during the afternoon had
been doing some work in his yard.
He ate a hearty supper. and after
finishing played checkers with his
11ousekeeper. Miss Mary Zatechka, and
her sister, Mrs. Tena Eaton. At about
$3.50 he complained of a pain in his
side, and said ne would go to bed. He
+, sat down on the side Of his bed to
remove his shoes, and shortly after
ward Miss Zatechka heard gasp and
moan. She went to Mr.. Orchards
room and found him lying on the bed.
He was unconscious and then almost
pulseless. DR.. w. S. Devtne was called
aud found Mr.. Birchard dead. DR..
Devine thought death had come not
more IMAM q 1c" oAISA eAAS
heart seizure.
Mr.. Orchard had been in failing
health for the past few years, and had
suffered two light strokes Of paralysis
lat different times, the second one last
ian. He made remarkable recoveries
from them for a man OF his years and
was able to be about most Of the time.
Only Tuesday afternoon he was at the
fheater and witnessed "The Birth of
a Nation"
Native Of Pennsylvania.
Mr.. Birchard was a native Of Sus-
quehana county. Pennsylvania, where
he was born Aug. 10. 1884. a son OF
P1fny and Martha Griffin Birchard.
Mr.. Birchard spent his boyhood in his
native county, and after attending
school became apprenticed as cabi-
net maker. He received $26 for his
first years work, so for his second
year and so for his third. and paid
his own board out Of his salary. While
he was learning his trade he attended
night school at a private academy.
Comes to Iowa in '56.
In 1885 Mr. Birchard came west,
settling first in Humboldt county. be-
ing engaged in the mercantile bust
ness there in 1867. He went from
owing to the Indian massacre in Hum
boldt county in ST, and there on Aug.
%. 1852 enlisted for service in the
civil war in Company l. Thirty-second
Iowa infantry. He was promoted to
be quartermaster sergeant Of his regi-
ment on Nov. 3. 1852. and was mus
tered out at St Louis May Il, 1865.
Returns to Iowa After War.
After the war Mr.. Birchard returned
to Boonesboro, where he engaged in
mercl1a ndising until the spring Of 1866.
He then entered the employ Of the
American Express Company as a mes
senger. and later took the agency for
the company at Jefferson. There also
he engaged in the drug business In
1867 he moved to Missouri Valley and
went into the drug business. in which
he continued until October. 1870, when
he came to this city.
Enters Drug Business Here.
Upon coming to this city Mr.. Birch
ard formed a co-partnership with tho
late Dr. W. S. Mcbride, and under the
firm name OF Mcbride &, Birchard
bought out the drug business Of DR..
George Click at East Main street.
The firm employed two clerks, Charles
J. Lander and George Will. Two years
later Orchard acquired the Mcbride
interest and retained Lander as his
clerk. McBride went to the corner
building to the east. and later took
WILL as his partner. forming the busi-
ness Of Mcbride & Will. In 1876 Birch
ard took Lander into partnership. I'M
der the firm name OF Birchard & Ian
der. In 1886 Lander bought out his
partner who had plans for engaging
in the corn canning business.
Forms Canning Company.
In 1857 Mr.. Birchard formed the
Marshall Canning Company. Of which
he became president and also became
interested in the milling business a,
Norfolk, Neb., in company with his
son, P. r. B1rchard, and son-in law, c,
S. Bridge. Mr.. Birchard remained in
tho canning business until 1907, when
he retired from active business life.
Member !. 8. r.. Commission.
For several years Mr.. Birchard was
q member of the board Of commission
ers Of the Iowa Soldiers Home before
the establishment Of the board Of con-
troll Of state institutions. AS mem
Der Of the commission Mr.. Bircharc
acted as commandant Of the institution
from September to November. 1897, be.
tween tho time Col. J. A. Ratekin LEFT
and Colonel Horton took charge.
MI. BlrClafO was, 1Or g. SllOTt tllle
in 1882, a member of the city coun'
ell, being elected to fill a vacancy. HI
was also a member of the school board
for several years.
President Of Cemetery Association.
On May 1. 1905, Mr.. Birchard wa!
elected as q trustee Of the Marsha
Cemetery Association, to succeed D.
i Wilbur, deceased. Orchard was electe
to succeed himself May I. 1905. and o,
July II, 1906, was made vice presiden
Of the association. Following the dealt
Of w. e. Smelling, president OF tn
board, Mr.. Birchard was chosen presi
RI dent in April, 1915.
MT. Birchard was a member OF tn
Masonic fraternity, and had been q,
member of both the chapter and com
n1andery. At the time of his dealt
however. he retained membership onl
In the blue lodge, Marshall. No. 10s.
sz Politically. Mr.. Birchard had been
lifelong republican.
had Dsen Twice Married.
Mr. Birchard had been twice maj
ried. His first wife. with whom he wa
united In marriage in Pennsyiyani
Isfiv ~. 1884 was Miss Onpha C. Smitl
She died In Boonesboro July u. 1s6
lsaxinS three children, Ellen Eudor