My Genealogy Hound

Charles A. Burr, cashier of the Bank of Rochester, of which he was one of the founders, has been engaged in various lines of business since locating here and has achieved a high degree of success. He was born in Macomb County, Michigan, in 1857, and is a son of Louis and Eliza (Gendrick) Burr. Louis Burr and his wife were both natives of Germany and came to America in 1850, landing in New York City. They immediately came to Michigan and located in Detroit, where for a short time Louis Burr was engaged in wagon making and followed the trade of a stone mason. Soon removing to Sterling township, Macomb County, he there engaged in the manufacture of tile and brick, also after 1870 conducting a farm in connection. There he remained until he died as the result of an accident, January 19, 1895, at the age of 77 years and six months. Mrs. Burr still resides on the old homestead in Macomb County, at the advanced age of 75 years. They were parents of eight sons and one daughter, and with the exception of one son are all now living.

Charles A. Burr was reared and educated in Macomb County, and attended high school at Utica. He taught school at Big Beaver one year and in the fall of 1876 went to California where for a period of three years he engaged in gold mining. Returning to Michigan he taught school at Warren one season, then engaged in the hardware business at Utica for two years. In 1882 he came to Rochester, Oakland County, and continued in the hardware business for eight years, then went south for a short time. In 1893, he was appointed postmaster of Rochester, and capably discharged the duties of that office until 1898. Beginning in 1890, he engaged in the undertaking business successfully for 10 years, and in 1890 built the Opera House block, where his bank is now located. He engaged in the gentlemen’s furnishings business for one year and in the meantime was agent for the American and National express companies. In 1898, he was candidate on the Democratic ticket for register of deeds, and in 1900 was again a candidate. He served as village and township treasurer during 1901-02. In April, 1901, in partnership with A. F. Newberry, he founded the Bank of Rochester, of which he has since been cashier, while Mr. Newberry is with the American Savings Bank at Pontiac, in which both are interested. They also established the Bank of Warren in August, 1901. Mr. Burr also carries on a real estate and fire insurance business, representing 16 of the leading insurance companies in the country. He has been successful in each venture he has undertaken and is one of the most successful business men of the village.

In 1902, Mr. Burr was united in marriage with Jennie B. Ames of Warren, Michigan, and they have a comfortable home in Rochester. Fraternally, he is a member of Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., of Rochester, having been a Mason since 1879, when he joined at Utica; and is also a member of the Council at Pontiac; the Pontiac lodge of the B. P. O. E.; the Knights of the Maccabees; and the Independent Order of Foresters. In politics he is a Democrat, and has held a number of important positions with credit.