Obituary - Mount Pulaski Times-News, 11 February 1937 W. "Ed" Birks Died Tuesday; Long Illness Services at Christian Church This Afternoon at 3:15 O'clock William Edward Birks, one of Mount Pulaski's best known and esteemed citizens, who had been declining in health for almost on year, died at his home on North Lafayette Street at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 9, 1937, aged 76 years and 9 days. He spent some time in hospitals in Springfield and Lincoln in the hopes that his condition would be benefited, and several weeks ago returned home to await the final summons. Mr. Birks was a native of Logan County, and within its borders he spent his long and useful career. He was born about eight miles southwest of Mount Pulaski, Illinois, January 30, 1861, on the old Birks homestead farm, being a son of David and Sarah Copeland Birks, both of whom were natives of Illinois, and pioneer residents of this community. There were only two children in this family; his brother, Thomas A., was fatally injured by being kicked by a horse when he was only nine years old. The stock-raising and farming interests of Mr. Birks, which were handled in so capable and exemplary manner, caused him to stand before the community, if not all central Illinois, as one of the progressive, scientific, and modern agriculturists of Logan County. He possessed more than one thousand acres of Logan and Sangamon County lands, and was remarkably successful in both general farming and breeding of blooded stock, making a specialty of Hereford cattle, and was known as one of the most reliable and trustworthy citizens of this county. His large estate is known as the Highview farm, located in the Bald Knob community west of the Copeland Christian church, the highest point of land between Mount Pulaski and Springfield. Since his retirement from the activities connected with farm life, his place has been in charge of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer E. Allspach, the latter of whom is Mr. Birk's only daughter. He received the usual education afforded the youth of the country in the days of his boyhood, meanwhile working upon his parents' farm and acquiring a valuable knowledge of stock-raising and farming. He remained at home, adding in the cultivation of the land until the spring of 1887. That year marked an important epoch in his life, for it was then on March 22, that he was united in marriage with Miss Nettie A. Scroggin, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Alfred C. Scroggin, and granddaughter of the pioneer farmer and banker, Leonard K. Scroggin. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Birks, two of whom preceded him in death, David L., who died in childhood, and William A., who enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 16 years, saw much service with soldiers following the San Francisco earthquake, and later saw service in the garrison of General Barry. The surviving children are George R. Birks, at home; John Milton Birks, of Peoria, Illinois; and Helen, wife of Elmer E. Allspach, residing southwest of Mount Pulaski. He also leaves five grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Birks retired from the farm about seventeen years ago and moved into the city. During several winters, they made extensive trips to the southern stated, giving up these pleasant journeys when the health of Mrs. Birks failed. She preceded him in death on June 7, 1933. As was his father, Mr. Birks was affiliated with the Democratic Party. While still living on his extensive farm, he served one term as supervisor of Mount Pulaski Township, and also one term as tax collector, but cared little for political preferment. He also served as a school director, and was a member of the board of commissioners of the Lake Fork Special Drainage District, which several years ago saw the completion of the dredge ditch from a point in Latham vicinity to the place where the long ditch enters Salt Creek in the vicinity of Lincoln. He was especially interested in the organizing of the Logan County Farm Bureau in 1917, and acted as the first president. During his residence in Mount Pulaski, he always took great interest in civic affairs, and was elected alderman of the second ward two years ago. He was also one of the directors of the Farmers Bank of Mount Pulaski. While residing on the farm, Mr. and Mrs. Birks were active members of the Copeland Christian church, and after locating in Mount Pulaski became members of the local Christian church. Mr. Birks was a member of Mount Pulaski Commandery No. 39, Knights Templar, and Mount Pulaski Lodge No. 87, AF & AM. He had also attained to the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite and was a member of the Peoria Consistory. Funeral services were held at the Christian church at 3:15 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. Wayne Staley. Appropriate songs were sung by a quartet composed of Mrs. Everett Beidler, Mrs. Fred G. Mayer Jr., Frank E. Turley and Robert N. Jones, with Mrs. Frank E. Turley as accompanist. The funeral was in charge of Mount Pulaski Lodge No. 87, AF & AM with Mount Pulaski Commandery No. 39, Knights Templar as escort. Interment was made in Steenbergen cemetery, four miles southwest of Mount Pulaski. The pallbearers were Ira Veail, Keith Rothwell, Wilford Scroggin, Edward O. Mayer, Henry Volle, and Frank Copeland. During the hour of the service the business houses were closed, the mayor having issued a proclamation.