Ringgold Record
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Friday, June 12, 1896

The only exclusive clothing and shoe store in Mt. Ayr was established in 1892 by G. M. KIRBY and Jas. H. BURKE, who are still its proprietors. G. M. KIRBY was born in Corydon, Ia., in 1863, and has lived in Mt. Ayr 29 years. He began his mercantile life in 1879, in the store of Ingram & Dunning, where he became one of the most popular salesmen in Mt. Ayr, one whose word was accepted without question. In the church, and in all those public enterprises which go to build up a community along all lines, Mr. KIRBY is an earnest worker. [He was co-editor with Randolph S. BEALL of the weekly newspaper, The Advance which was in publication from 1890 to 1892 in Mount Ayr.]

Mr. KIRBY has been active in the drygoods and clothing trade for 16 years. He has had business interests in Taylor and Decatur counties and is now a member of the firms of KIRBY & HICKMAN and Kirby & DUNNING, both in Coyrdon, Wayne County. It can be truly said the every business enterprise with which he has been connected has been a decided success. He is recognized as an excellent buy in shoes and clothing and has the push and energy that makes a business thrive.

James H. BURKE ws born in Worcester, Mass., April 30, 1846. He claims Ohio as his native state, having gone there when quite young and having served three years in the 95th Ohio infantry, during the War of the Rebellion, eleven months of the time being confined as a prisoner of war in Andersonville prison.

Mr. BURKE learned the printer's trade in the office of the Ohio State Journal, at Columbus, O, and in 1869 went to Indianapolis, Ind., having purchased there a job printing office which he conducted until 1872, when he moved to Mooresville, Ind., and engaged in newspaper work on his own account. At this place he was an intimate acquantiance of James Whitcom RILEY, the since celebrated "Hoosier poet".

In 1876, Mr. BURKE arrived in Mt. Ayr and began business as part proprietor of the Onward. In 1884 He was elected clerk of courts, serving four terms and giving such thorough satisfaction that he became one of the popular county official who ever served the citizens of Ringgold county. Among the judges he enjoyed the reputation of being the most competent, painstaking and courteous clerk in this judicial district.

Since his voluntary retirement from that office in January, 1893, he has been engaged most of the time in the above mentioned store with G. M. KIRBY. The wide acquaintance of both members of the firm, their unquestioned integrity, and their constant efforts to supply their customers with the very best values at a fair price profit, have secured for them an enviable trade.

James M. BURKE enlisted as a Private on August 8, 1862, aged 20 years, and was assigned to Company D of the 95th Ohio Infantry. He was mustered out of service on June 16, 1865, at Camp Chase, Ohio. - American Civil War Solders database, ancestry.com

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2010