Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Burke, Thomas 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com September 7, 2007, 8:56 pm

Author: Genealogical & Biographical Record

THOMAS BURKE. The duration of Mr. Burke's residence in Joliet covered a period 
from his earliest recollection to the time of his death.  He was a man whose 
friends were many and whose influence was great, not alone among people of his 
own religious and political views, but among all citizens who held in respect 
a man of undoubted integrity and honor.  Twice he was elected alderman from 
the fifth ward and he was recognized, during the period of his service, as one 
of the prominent and progressive members of the board.  While in national 
politics he voted with the Democrats, he was inclined to be independent in 
local matters, voting for the man rather than the party.

The father of our subject, Richard Burke, came from County Tyrone, Ireland, to 
America and settled in Lowell, Mass., from which city he moved to Joliet, 
Ill., in 1839, becoming a foreman in Governor Matteson's woolen factory.  He 
was one of the founders of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church and when he 
died, October 9, 1858, the last rites over his body were said in that church, 
and his body was laid to rest in the cemetery adjoining.  His wife, who bore 
the maiden name of Bridget Ryan, died in Joliet in 1854.  Their son, Thomas, 
was born in Lowell, Mass., May 11, 1838, and grew to manhood at the family 
homestead, No. 150 Comstock street, Joliet, where his widow now lives.  He 
graduated from the old Broadway school and afterward became interested in the 
transfer business, which he carried on for many years.   

He then bought a livery business at No. 111 in South Bluff street, where he 
built a stone barn, 54x100 feet, that is still the finest building of the kind 
in the city. From that time he was actively interested in the management of 
his business, which grew steadily and brought him large returns.   While still 
in the full possession of his faculties, he died, September 12, 1898.  His 
funeral, held at St. Patrick's, was one of the largest ever held in Joliet, 
and his body was laid to rest in the parochial cemetery.

The church from which his body was carried to its final resting place was also 
the scene of his marriage more than forty years before.  July 11, 1856, he was 
united with Miss Mary Hennessey, wTho was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, a 
daughter of John  and Bridget (Collier) Hennessey, natives of the same 
county.  Her father, who was a well-to-do farmer, came to America to join his 
children and died at Camp Grove, Peoria County, Ill., at seventy years of age; 
his wife, who was a daughter of Edward Collier, also died in Peoria County.  
They were the parents of ten children, all of whom came to America and six are 
living.  Mrs. Burke was a small child when in 1852 she crossed the ocean in a 
sailing vessel that consumed forty-two days in the voyage to New York, from 
which city she went to Albany, and thence came west.  In religious faith she 
is a Roman Catholic, belonging to St. Patrick's Church.  Of her marriage 
eleven children were born, namely: Mrs. Agnes Jacobs, of Joliet, John, who is 
foreman for the Wylie Coal Company; Mrs. Nellie Sullivan; Bernard E., whose 
sketch is presented in this work; Mrs. Katherine Wallace; Thomas; William, who 
is employed by A. Dinet; Annie, who is clerk in a dry-goods store in this 
city; Sadie, principal of the Pleasant street school; Hattie, at home; and 
Alice, who is with her brother, B. E., in the grocery.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/burke943gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/

File size: 4.2 Kb