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Harriet Van Bibber was born in Kentucky in 1845. She was the daughter of Cyrus Van Bibber and Mary S. Timberlake Van Bibber. On August 31, 1865 she married Richard Landrum Burchett in Greenup County, Kentucky.
Landrum Burchett was born on January 21, 1841 in Floyd County, Kentucky, the son of William J. Burchett and Frances Emily Auxier Burchett. Landrum was raised on a farm in Floyd County, Kentucky and in his youth he was employed as a clerk in a mercantile store. When the Civil War broke out, he was surrounded by friends and neighbors who were in sympathy with the
Confederacy. The Auxier family were strong Unionists and Landrum enlisted as a private with Company A of the 39th Kentucky Infantry. He was involved in several skirmishes and slightly wounded. In 1865 he was mustered out with the rank of Second Lieutenant.
While visiting his Grandmother Auxier's family in Greenup County, he met Harriet Van Bibber and they moved to Mason City, Illinois shortly after their wedding. In Mason City, Landrum was employed as a clerk. They later moved to New Holland, Illinois where he formed a partnership with G.W. LaForge and established the first mercantile business in New Holland.
Landrum also served as postmaster of New Holland holding the office until November 4, 1885. On March 14, 1885, a disastrous fire destroyed the town of New Holland and the store of Burchett and Company was completely destroyed. At the urging of their friends, Landrum and Harriet immediately telegraphed for new goods and on March 16 they resumed business. During the summer of 1885 they built the first brick building in New Holland on the old store site.
Landrum and Harriet were the oldest settlers in New Holland and were prominent citizens of central Illinois. Richard Landrum Burchett died on April 13, 1907 and Harriet Van Bibber Burchett died the same year. They are buried in Richmond Grove Cemetery in New Holland, Illinois. They were the parents of one son, Oscar Burchett.

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