Here are two articles that I came across on the Birkbeck family.

They are both from The Galena Weekly Gazette located in Galena, (Jo Daviess County), IL.
The first one March 18, 1920.

MRS. B.L. BIRKBECK ASLEEP IN DEATH

Highly Esteemed Galena Woman Dies in Chicago Enroute Home From Baltimore, Maryland.

Had been Receiving Medical Treatment at Baltimore Hospital - - - Death Saddens Numerous Friends

Mrs. Amanda Kuchemann Birkbeck, wife of Benjamin L. Birkbeck passed into final rest at St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago at 1:25 last Tuesday Morning, March 16. Mr. and Mrs. Birkbeck were enroute to their home in Galena from Baltimore, Md., where Mrs. Birkbeck had been receiving medical treatement but when they reached Chicago Sunday morning her condition was so weakened that the trip was abandoned.

The news of Mrs. Birkbeck's death passed from lip to lip this morning and cast a spell of sadness over the entire community for she was a women of cheerful disposition, with a willing heart for doing good where-ever possible thus making her a person loved by all her friends.

During her illness her husband gave her every attention, and all that the best medical skill of the country could do was employed to aid a recovery.

The body of Mrs. B.L. Birkbeck accompanied by Mr. Birkbeck and other relatives arrived in Galena Tuesday evening from Chicago then was taken to the family home on Meeker Street. Funeral services will be held at the home Friday afternoon at two o'clock, Rev. W.W. Liston of the M.E. Church officiating assisted by Rev. E.M. Moser of the First Presbyterian Church. Internment will be made in Greenwood Cemetery.

Amanda Kuchemann was born in Galena, June 20, 1874 and attended the Galena schools, later attending Normal school in this city. She lived in Galena until July 25, 1905 when she was united in marriage with Benjamin L. Birkbeck, who was at that time Superintendant of the schools at Ladysmith, Wis. After spending a year in Ladysmith, they returned to Galena to make their home.

Mrs. Birkbeck to all who knew her was a lovable, pleasant woman, a woman always ready to be of assistance in every good cause and an ardent worker with whatever she was identified. Many acts of kindness enacted by Mrs. Birkbeck were known only to her immediate family as she was a person who took pleasure in quietly doing for others. She was a member and an active worker in the Rebekah Order of Galena also a consistent worker with her husband in the Methodist Episcopal church and Sunday school.

At the time when the Masonic Band was organized, Mrs. Birkbeck was quite interested in building up the fellowship side of the organization which in measure has made it the strong organization that it is today, for she and her husband entertained the band "boys" on several occasions at their home. Mrs. Birkbeck also has the distinction of being the first and only woman to play with this band, she having taken part in the first concert given by the band.

In war work, Mrs. Birkbeck also did good work for she stimulated patriotism where-ever she went whether in the escort parades to the station when the boys were leaving, or in Red Cross or other war auxilliaries.

In her long illness, the deceased made a cheerful fight even though the odds were against her, and aided by her husband's kind attentions, tried every possible remedy even within a few days of her passing away.

Besides her husband, she is survived by two sisters, Mrs. George Caille and Miss Lucy Kuchemann, and two brothers, Herman C. and John Kuchemann of this city.

LAST SAD RITES READ

Funeral of Mrs. B.L. Birkbeck Held This Afternoon and Attended by Many Sorrowing Friends

Rev. W.W. Liston and Rev. E. M. Moser Officials -- Rebekahs Attend in a Body -- Interment in Greenwood.

The funeral of Mrs. Benjamin L. Birkbeck was held Friday afternoon with services commencing at the home on Meeker street at two o'clock these services being attended by an unusually large number of relatives and friends as Mrs. Birkbeck was widely and favorable known. The Galena Rebekahs attended in a body and various other orders and societies to which she and her husband belonged were also represented.

Rev. W.W. Liston, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church conducted the services, assisted by Rev. E. M. Moser of the First Presbyterian church who offered prayer. Rev. Mr. Liston gave a consoling message from a passage of Second Timothy, first chapter and verses seven to ten.

A choir composed of Miss Elizabeth Maxeimer, Miss Matilda Grube, F. J. Meller and Eugene Seubert sang three of Mrs. Birkbeck's favorite hymns; "Jesus Savior Pilot Me", "On Higher Ground", and "God Will Take Care of You".

The Floral tokens but spoke in a silent manner the esteem in which friends from all parts of the county thought of the deceased, there being many beautiful set pieces from the public and country schools throughout the county, from lodges and societies and from the employees of the Court House and also from the Galena Masonic Band.

After the services the body was taken by auto to Greenwood Cemetery where interment was made, the following friends acting as the bearers; V.E. Meader, Frank Vincent, John L. Lawrence, Peter Specht, Earl Alexander and William Hermann of Woodbine.

Those from out of town attending the funeral were: