Burke, Finley

BURKE

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/16/2019 at 12:22:10

Finley Burke
born Sept 1, 1855 in West Virginia

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.447)
Finley BURKE, the senior member of the well-known law firm of BURKE & CASADY, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is pre-eminently a lawyer. The distinguishing qualities of men who have achieved success in any vocation are patient industry and the determination to win. When to this is added unswerving integrity and mental vigor you have the measure for a man who will honor his name and his profession. The most cursory glance at the character of Finley BURKE will indicate the presence of these dominating qualities. A little delving around the roots of his genealogical tree shows that he comes of a stock that is noted for these characteristics. He was born September 1, 1855, at Wheeling, Virginia, now West Virginia. His father was Finley Adams BURKE, a sketch of whom is given just preceding this, containing also the family record on his father's side. The maiden name of his mother was Margaret McMILLEN. She was born in a stone farm house in Maryland, not far from Baltimore. Her father was John McMILLEN, son of George McMILLEN and grandson of James McMILLEN, who came to this country about the time of the Revolution and settled in York County, Pennsylvania. This James McMILLEN, son of Francis McMILLEN, came from Wigtonshire, Scotland, and was heir to the manor of Dunragget, situated about twenty-five miles from Wigton, the shire town, about five miles east of Port Patrick. Becoming comfortably fixed in the New World, he remained and founded the McMILLEN family of York County, Pennsylvania. Her mother's name was EWING, and she was a Scotch lady. It will thus be seen that Mr. BURKE is of the rugged Scotch-Irish ancestry that insures physical vigor and good digestion, foundations that give additional strength to a stubborn and determined character. This ancestry has been thoroughly Americanized from the days of the Revolution, his grandfather BURKE, born in Philadelphia, having fought under General LEE in the Virginia line during the war for independence. Mr. BURKE's father moved with his family from Virginia to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, in 1856, and settled in Washington Township. In 1860 the family removed to Council Bluffs, which was then a sprightly village, and young BURKE lost no time in availing himself of the benefits of the public schools, where his time was spent until 1873, when he graduated with credit.

Mr. BURKE, having early in life selected the law as his chosen pursuit, has never permitted himself to stray off into politics or business, but has acted on the belief that there is more honor and dignity in the name and fame of an honest and able lawyer than in the highest office in the gift of the people. He is recognized as one of the leaders of the bar in Western Iowa, having had an active practice of sixteen years; and his name involuntarily springs to the lips when inquiry is made for a sturdy, persistent and capable lawyer to handle large and important interests. He started in practice with the creed that a lawyer should stay by his client "through thick and thin" without thought of himself or consideration of self-interest; and the knowledge of this characteristic and his well-known pugnacity, determination and ability, has frequently caused him to be called to the defense of public interests in the courts. The city has been quick to give him a retainer whenever an important suit has arisen where public interests were in jeopardy, and the fact is something more than significant that in no case where he has been retained has the city lost.

Mr. BURKE was licensed on November 16, 1874, after thorough examination in open court before Hon. J. R. REED and an able committee of the bar, and at once began practice, at the early age of nineteen years. For some time he enjoyed the distinction of being the youngest lawyer in Iowa. Here in the town of his childhood, before the age of twenty-five, he had distinguished himself in a number of cases.

In June, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie CASADY, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. H. CASADY. Miss CASADY was the first child born in Sioux City. Her father was one of the founders of that city, and was a man of prominence in that part of the State. She was a lady of rare gifts, but an invalid, and after a protracted illness of over a year she passed away, in July, 1877.

In the early spring of 1881, on account of ill-health, Mr. BURKE removed to the county seat of Sioux County, Iowa, -Orange City,- where he soon became recognized as the leading lawyer in that region, and enjoyed a large and lucrative practice, calling him into the neighboring counties and into Dakota. In the six years of Mr. BURKE's residence in Sioux County he tried more contested suits than any other lawyer in the county, and during the first five years, although employed constantly, he did not lose a single case. This most remarkable record was attributed largely to his peculiar care in refusing to counsel or maintain cases which seemed to him to be unsound and lacking in merit, and his straightforward, fair way of presenting facts to a jury, coupled with thorough preparation. Having thoroughly re-established his naturally robust health, and having out-grown the field of his practice, Mr. BURKE returned in February, 1887, to his old home at Council Bluffs, and at once took front rank at the bar, having been employed in almost every important suit in the courts since his return. He practices in the highest courts, being a regular member of the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States at Washington, District of Columbia. His love for the profession, which is a distinguishing trait, has led him to take a deep interest in all that makes for improvement in the laws.

Mr. BURKE is the only lawyer in Western Iowa who has been admitted to membership in the American Bar Association, which counts among its members the most noted lawyers from every part of the Union, who meet annually "to advance the science of jurisprudence, promote the administration of justice and uniformity of legislation throughout the Union, uphold the honor of the profession of the law and encourage cordial intercourse among the members of the American Bar."

Another fact worthy of mention is that Mr. BURKE has fought his way, unaided, to the front rank, and this battling against opposition has given him self-reliance, will-power and prudence and that training in economics which makes a successful business man. This in turn gives a business-like cast to his practice, and appreciating fully the practical bearings of litigation he uses good common sense and business judgment in the affairs of his clients. His knowledge of men and their motives and his readiness to see and avail himself of any error in the policy or plan pursued by his adversary enables him to cope with the ablest campaigner in diplomacy, negotiation, or at the bar. In practice before courts and juries his distinguishing traits are clearness, force, earnestness and directness in getting at the real point in dispute, coupled with the fact that before going into the contest he has convinced himself of the correctness of his position, carrying into the court-room a zeal which can not be simulated. In consultation his advice is practical and business-like, and always on the side of avoiding litigation where it can be done with justice to his clients; but when the obstinacy or unfairness of his adversary thwarts a fair adjustment he becomes thoroughly aroused and enlisted for the fight.

Mr. BURKE has to a remarkable degree the confidence of all who have to do with questions of title and real-estate law, many of the most careful buyers refusing to close important purchases without the stamp of his opinion on the title.

In his domestic life Mr. BURKE is very happy, and his love of home is attested by the building of one of the handsomest residences in the city. On February 14, 1882, Mr. BURKE married Miss Parthenia V. JEFFERIS, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas JEFFERIS, who are well known and numbered among the old citizens. She graduated from the public schools of Council Bluffs and afterward became one of the most successful teachers. She is a lady of rare good sense and social attainments. They have two children: Master Tom, who was born in July 1885, and a boy born February 25, 1891.

Mr. BURKE, although not connected with any religious denomination, is a believer in the cardinal truths of the Christian religion.