William F. Birch

William Fred Birch (August 30, 1870, Newark, New Jersey – January 25, 1946, Glen Ridge, New Jersey) was an American politician and businessman who represented New Jersey's 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1918 to 1919.

William F. Birch
From September 1918 Congressional campaign newspaper ad.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 5th district
In office November 5, 1918 – March 3, 1919
Preceded by	John H. Capstick
Succeeded by	Ernest Robinson Ackerman
Personal details
Born	August 30, 1870 Newark, New Jersey
Died	January 25, 1946 (aged 75) Glen Ridge, New Jersey
Political party	Republican

Early life and education

Birch was born in Newark, New Jersey on August 30, 1870. He moved with his parents to Phillipsburg, New Jersey, in 1872 and to Dover, New Jersey, in 1874. He attended the public schools and was graduated from the New Jersey State Model School at Trenton and from Coleman’s Business College at Newark in 1887.

Career

He engaged in the manufacture of boilers and smokestacks at Dover. Birch was a member of the Dover Common Council for several years and city recorder from 1904 to 1909. He served as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly from 1910 to 1912.

Birch was elected as a Republican to the Sixty-fifth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John H. Capstick and served from November 5, 1918, to March 3, 1919, but was not a candidate for renomination in 1918.

After leaving Congress, he resumed his former manufacturing pursuits; also engaged in the fire-insurance and automobile businesses and was interested in banking. He retired from business activities in 1941.

Death

Birch died in Glen Ridge, New Jersey on January 25, 1946, and was interred in Orchard Street Cemetery in Dover.

References

• United States Congress. "William F. Birch (id: B000476)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• William Fred Birch at The Political Graveyard
• William F. Birch at Find a Grave