A copy of the following unidentified newspaper article was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:
Died, on the 15th, inst., at his home in Crown Point, James Burge, aged nearly 81 years. Mr. Burge was among the first settlers of this county. He first settled in Porter County in 1836, but removed to this county in 1848, where he bought 120 acres of land in Winfield Township. To this he afterward added until he had 500 acres, nearly all of which was under cultivation. Eventually he disposed of his farm and moved to Crown Point, where he has resided for the last twenty-five years. He served as county commissioner for one or two terms, and was the first president of our National Bank. By his industry, strict honesty and integrity Mr. Burge accumulated a handsome fortune, and was one of our most esteemed citizens. His death was regretted by all.