JAMES BURK, SR.

Among the well known and honored pioneers of Cedar county whose well directed efforts during their long connection with agricultural interests make it possible for them now in the evening of life to rest from active labor and enjoy the fruits of their former toil, is numbered James Burk, Sr. He is one of Ireland’s contribution to the citizenship of Iowa, his birth occurring in County Cork. The period of his boyhood and youth was spent in his native land and there in the common schools he gained a fair education, which he has since greatly supplemented by wide reading and observation. When a young man of eighteen years he came to the new world in company with a sister, first taking up his residence in New Hampshire, where for about four years he was engaged as a section hand on a railroad, while later one year was spent in farming. It was on the 25th of October, 1855, that Mr. Burk laid the foundation for a happy home life of his own by his marriage in Concord, New Hampshire, to Miss Sebina McGowan, also a native of the Emerald Isle.

Immediately after his marriage Mr. Burk brought his bride to Iowa, where he soon became identified with the various interests of this great commonwealth, his connection therewith covering a long and honorable career. He first established his home at Tipton and aided materially in the upbuilding of that town, assisting in the erection of the new courthouse and also helping to lay out the west eighty acres of Tipton addition and also Starr addition. He purchased a residence there and continued to make that his home, being identified with the interests of that community until 1860, when he removed to Fremont township, Cedar county. His first purchase consisted of forty acres, upon which not a single improvement had been made and to the cultivation of which he at once turned his attention. Later he purchased more property from time to time until he ultimately owned a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres to the development of which he directed his efforts until, under his wise management and careful supervision, it was eventually brought under a high state of cultivation. He introduced all modern improvements, erected a large and attractive residence, built two good barns and set out a fine grove and orchard. The place is not only enclosed with good woven wire fences but is thoroughly tiled and today presents the appearance of one of the well improved and valuable properties of that section of the county. In connection with his general farming he also engaged extensively in the raising and feeding of stock, and this branch of his business also proved most successful, bringing to him good annual returns. Industry, energy and perseverance have been the salient characteristics of his business career, and that his well directed efforts found merited reward is indicated by the fact that, although starting out in life a poor boy, he has, through the intervening years, worked his way steadily upward until today he is able to put aside the cares of active business life and enjoy in honorable retirement the well earned rest that comes as a reward for long years of unfaltering endeavor and earnest toil.

With the passing years the home of Mr. and Mrs. Burk was blessed with five children, but the eldest son, William, has now passed away. He was a farmer of Dayton township, and was married and had two children, his wife passing away in May, 1910. Of the children still surviving, Lizzie resides in Tipton, where she is engaged in dress-making. She has thus been identified for the past twenty-five years and is a lady of most excellent business ability. Ellen and James Burk, Jr., both reside at home, the latter superintending the work of the home farm. Annie, the youngest member of the family, married Aaron Alshire, of Fremont township, but both have passed away, leaving a son.

In politics Mr. Burk is independent, always casting his ballot for the best men and most desirable measures. Prominent in local affairs, he has served as delegate to numerous county conventions, and, a stalwart champion of the cause of education, he was identified with the school board of Fremont township for over twenty years, serving as both president and treasurer of that organization. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church, and in all things having for their object the material, intellectual, political and moral upbuilding of the community he has ever been found a ready and willing cooperant. Coming to Cedar county in early manhood, when the history of this section of the country was still in its formative period, he has watched the growth and development of the country as wild prairie land has been transformed into rich farming districts, railroads have been built and other improvements introduced, and in the work of upbuilding and development he has taken his full share, his connection with public interests here being a long and useful one. Although he has already passed the psalmist’s allotted span of three score years and ten, he is yet deeply interested in the world’s work. A man of sterling qualities, honorable and upright in principle and dealing, he can look back upon the past without regret and forward to the future without fear, secure in the high esteem and regard of a large circle of friends which extends throughout Cedar county.