Source:
"Types
of
Successful Men of Texas,
Pages 200
- 201"
Author; L. E. Daniell
Published By The Author
Eugene Von Boeckmann, Printer and
Bookbinder
1890
Transcribed by: J.
Barker
James
Austin
Burke is the son of Professor Peter Burke, for many years a teacher in Texas,
and Bridget
Kelley. He is connected by consanguinity with the distinguished family
of De
Boryo, of France.
His father died in Goliad in 1882, on the same day on which the
lamented Garfield
was
assassinated. He was nearly one hundred years old.
This
son was born August 28, 1824, at Johnstown, New York.
He
was educated in Louisiana,
and
studied for the profession of
medicine, but did not adopt it as a vocation. In 1846, at the age of
twenty-four, Mr. Burke came to Texas,
and settled at San Augustine. He removed thence to Goliad two years
later,
where he has since continuously resided. That was about the time of
trouble
with Mexico,
and war being declared, he joined a company of Texans under Captain
Wheeler, in
1846, and participated in the struggle. In 1849 he served on the
frontier, in
defense of Texas,
and was for a while
stationed on San
Antonio
river. In his county, Mr. Burke's abilities and high character are much
esteemed, an evidence of which is found in the fact that having been
elected
County Clerk in 1850, he was continued in office ten consecutive years,
up to
the breaking out of the war between the States; and some years after
the war
was over, he was re-elected to the same position of trust, 1876, and
has filled
it without intermission to the present day, December 26, 1889. This is
a
remarkable record of fidelity and continuous public service.
On the
breaking out of the war he volunteered
as a private soldier, enlisting in Wood's regiment (Governor Wood), Co. A , 7th Texas Mounted
regiment. He served through the
entire struggle, from 1861 to the end in 1865. In 1862 he was in New Mexico
with Sibley's
brigade; on the way thither his horse became unmanageable and ran away
with
him, fracturing his leg and disabling him for some six weeks or more.
He
rejoined the command, and returning to Texas,
was ordered to Louisiana.
Here he participated with his command in numerous engagements, being at
the
battles of Mansfield,
Atchafalaya, Carrion Crow,
Brashier City,
Pleasant Hill, Franklin,
etc. He was made Lieutenant, and
subsequently promoted to a Captaincy.
Few of
the old Confederate soldiers have a
better record for faithful service than Captain Burke, and he cherishes
it as a
precious legacy to hand down to his children, together with his
untarnished and
phenomenal record in civil service. His has been a useful life to his
country,
both in peace and war. In politics he is a staunch Democrat. He was
chosen, and
is now Chairman of the County Democratic Executive Committee; he is a
member of
the Masonic fraternity; has been a Mason since 1852; he is an Odd
Fellow, also,
and is Secretary of the Blue Lodge and Commandery. In religious belief
he is a
Methodist.
Mr.
Burke has been twice married; his first
wife was Miss Elizabeth Fulcrod. By this marriage there were two
children,
daughters. The eldest, Josephine, married John Cosyrode, and the other,
Alzenith, married Mr. R. T. Davis. His second wife was Miss Joan E.
Welsh. By
her he had eight children, all sons. Their names are as follows: James
A., Ross
E., Robert E., J. Guss, Shelby, Wilson H., Thomas, and John F.
We
omitted to state that Mr. Burke had been
Sheriff of his county before his last term of service as County
Clerk,
that is, from 1874 to 1876.
In the
point of personal appearance Mr. Burke
is commanding presence, being six feet in height, erect and soldierly
in his
bearing. He has dark complexion, brown eyes, and weighs 175 pounds.
There are
few men more universally esteemed and respected.
"Mary
E. Burke died October 26, 1888,
aged thirteen years."
