Notes for Patrick Burke: Patrick is listed as a 5-year-old, living with his parents and siblings, in the 1870 US Census of Webster Co., IA. Ten years later, he is enumerated with his parents and two older brothers in the 1880 Census of Calhoun Co., IA. After the death of his father, Patrick returned to Webster County where he is shown as a single man in the 1900 US Census of Barnum, Johnson Township., Webster Co., IA, looking after his widowed mother: Pat T. Burke [February 1865, IA] and Bridget [mother, February 1828, Ireland]. Bridget died in 1907. The 1910 Federal Census of Barnum shows Patrick as a 43-year-old unmarried general store merchant, living as a boarder. He died in 1935 and is buried with his parents in Corpus Christi Cemetery, Ft. Dodge, IA.
Shannon Zuzek has provided the following information, probably taken from Patrick's obituary: Philip's "youngest son, Patrick T, spent his entire life in Webster County. After he reached his majority, he established himself in the mercantile business in Barnum in 1888. For about a year he was in partnership with Tom Connors. He soon purchased Mr Connor's interest and operated the store alone. His store was known for the fine assortment of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes and ready-made clothes. Mr. Burke and his handsome young clerk were very popular with the general public.
Articles of incorporation for the town of Barnum were filed with the District Court of Webster County on July 7 1894. PT Burke was one of the petition signers. He was then appointed by the court to hold an election to ratify the incorporation.
He had some reverses during his years in business. The store and some of the stock were destroyed by fire on June 10, 1902, when the entire business section of the village was wiped out with a loss to the community of $30,000. Fifteen substantial buildings were burned to the ground. PT immediately erected a one-story brick building which he occupied until he sold the store. He also owned the double brick building adjoining his store and he was a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company and the Barnum Telephone Company.
The Barnum Telephone Co. was organized in 1904 by John Eastman, Patrick Burke, John Flannagan, James Kelley and John Hogen. He was a successful businessman and was known and respected for his honor and integrity. In addition to his commercial property, he also owned a home farm of 160 acres in Calhoun County.
In his political affiliations, Mr Burke was a consistent Republican and had served as secretary of the Barnum School Board for 20 years and also was a member of the town council. He belonged to the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks and to the Modern Woodmen of America."
More About Patrick Burke: Burial: Corpus Christi Cemetary, Fort Dodge, Iowa - Lot 90. Occupation: General Store Merchant.
Patrick Burke (b. February 01, 1865)
Notes for Patrick Burke: