Burke, John W. 1855-1932

BURKE, BUNDY, PERRIN, MOBERLY, OWINGS, CONARD, BROWN, DAMMEIER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 6/1/2011 at 17:54:00

The Grinnell Herald; Feb. 2, 1932

JOHN W. BURKE OF KELLOGG DIES

(By a Staff Correspondent)

Funeral services were held at the Methodist Episcopal church Sunday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock for John W. Burke, prominent attorney and newspaper man in Kellogg for the past 57 years. Rev. Ernest McAninch, the local pastor had charge of the service and burial was made in Our Silent City.

Attorney Burke was one of the oldest attorneys of the county and had been in failing health for several months. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio, February 13, 1855 and came to Iowa in 1874 living in Greene county with relatives a year before locating in Kellogg where he has made his home since. He was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Bundy of Kellogg in 1876 and to this union three children were born one of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Burke died in 1882.

A year later Attorney Burke married Miss Winifred Perrin of Monroe who preceded him in death a number of years ago. Three children were born to them, two sons and one daughter all of whom survive.

Mr. Burke with W.P. Coutts was editor of the Kellogg Enterprise from its establishment in 1880 until about 1885. During his spare time he studied law and was admitted to the bar in Des Moines at the age of 23 years. He also taught in the rural schools of the county.

In 1887 he established the Kellogg Tribune and edited it until a fire in 1908 destroyed a part of his equipment. Since that time he has devoted his time to the practice of law and looking after his numerous property interests in Kellogg. He served the community in the capacity of mayor, president of the school, city attorney and justice of the peace during his residence here.

The surviving relatives include five children: Mrs. P.W. Moberly and Clyde Burke both of Chicago; Mrs. Herbert Owings of Glendale, California; Russell Burke of Lincoln, Nebraska and Leslie Burke of Omaha, Nebraska; three sisters Mrs. A.E. Conard of Kellogg, Mrs. F.H. Brown of Topeka, Kansas, and Mrs. W.F. Dammeier of Omaha, Nebraska.