Biography

George Burch was a manufacturer of industrial knives and blades in St. Catherines, Ontario during the last half of the 19th Century. He was partners with Samuel Collison in the firm named Collison, Burch and Company. The company merged with Whitman and Barnes of Akron, Ohio in 1880. ¹

The Burch house at 79 Thorold Road was one of the most opulent residences in 19th Century St. Catharines. It was demolished in the 1970's.  George Burch is the gentleman second from right receiving a cup and saucer in the photograph attached to this record. 

His grandaughter, the late Joanne Burch (Mrs. Emil Erling), was a regular visitor to her grandparent's home. She sketched floorplans of the house and recorded her memories of the place.

1. Karena Walter, "Knife company had an edge in St. Catharines", The Standard, March 23, 2013.