Biography of John H. Burke
FROM OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
A DESCRIPTIVE AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK
PREPARED AND PUBLISHED UNDER THE
AUSPICES OF THE SARATOGIAN
THE BOSTON HISTORY COMPANY, PUBLISHERS 1899
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JOHN H. BURKE. HON. JOHN H. BURKE, Ballston Spa, was born in the town of Halfmoon, Saratoga county, N. Y., August 21, 1856,
a son of Patrick and Ellen (Purcell) Burke, natives of county Waterford, Ireland, both of whom came to the United
States about 1840, and settled in Mechanicville.
Mr. Burke was educated in the common schools and at the Mechanicville Academy, Fort Edward Collegiate Institute,
and was graduated from Williams College in 1884. Although working his way through college he was twice honored
by his classmates in being chosen Class President, once during the Sophomore year, and again Class Day President
in the Senior year. He began the study of law in the office of L’Amoreaux, Dake & Whalen, in 1884, and was
admitted to the bar in 1886. Just prior to his admission in the year 1886 he was nominated for member of assembly
and was the first Democratic assemblyman elected from Saratoga county since 1878. At the expiration of his term
he continued the practice of law in Mechanicville for three years. In 1891 he formed a partnership at Ballston
Spa with John Person under the firm name of Burke & Person. In 1889 he was appointed Inspector in the Forest
Commission of the State of New York, and continued in that capacity until 1895, hisduties being principally of
a legal nature. Since 1895 he has devoted his entire time to the general practice of the law, giving special attention
to tax questions and Adirondack tax titles, for which his service with the Forest Commission had especially fitted
him.
In 1891 Mr. Burke married Minnie A., daughter of J. G. Christopher. He is one of the progressive men of his town,
a Democrat in politics, and has served several terms as chairman of the Democratic County Committee; he takes an
intelligent interest in educational and religious institutions, and has ever advanced the best interests of his
town. In 1897 he was chosen to fill a vacancy in the Board of Directors of the Ballston Spa National Bank, occasioned
by the death of Henry Knickerbocker, a connection which he still holds.
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