Background
Edward Burling was born in 1819 in Newburgh, New York, United States.
Edward Burling was born in 1819 in Newburgh, New York, United States.
Edward received a rudimentary education in Newburgh, New York, United States.
In 1843 Edward left to Chicago, United States hoping to find work in that "young” but fast-growing city. Edward began as a builder, later however established an architectural office, and prior to the great fire of 1871 had planned many commercial structures and at least one church. His most important works in the city included the following buildings: First National Bank Building, s.w. corner of State and Washington Streets, erected in 1860; St. James Episcopal Church, s.e. corner of Cass (Wabash) and Huron, 1857, (tower and west facade added in 1868) and the building completed less than a year before it was destroyed in the conflagration of 1871, the Tribune Building at Dearborn and Madison Streets, 1868; the Marine Bank Building (Frederick Bauman, Associate Architect) an early work, 1852-1855; Garrett Building, and the Portland Block.
During the reconstruction period following the fire Mr. Burling was commissioned to rebuild all of his most important works with the exception of the Chamber of Commerce, also supervised the erection of the Custom House and U. S. Post Office.