My Genealogy Hound

Dr. John P. Burke, an eminent physician of California, Mo., was born on the 1st of May, 1857, his parents being John and Eliza (Beall) Burke, who were born in County Clare, Ireland, and Bardstown, Ky., respectively. The father came to America in his boyhood days, and first located in New Orleans, where he remained for some time, and then went to Keokuk, Iowa, where he was engaged in the general mercantile business for some years. He was a druggist, and in the spring of 1855 came to California, Mo., and engaged in the general mercantile and drug business, continuing this calling until 1860, when he died on the 1st of May. His wife died on the 14th of May, 1857, leaving our subject only fourteen days old, he being their only child. He received the advantages of the common schools, St. Louis University, St. Louis, Mo., and at the age of seventeen years began the study of medicine, and in March, 1878, graduated from the St. Louis Medical College. In 1878 he began practicing with Dr. J. P. H. Gray, his curator, with whom he remained one year, then began practicing his profession on his own responsibility, and has been very successful. He has been coroner of the county three terms and has been mayor of the city one term, and is local railroad surgeon for the Missouri Pacific Railroad at California, Mo. He was married, in California, Mo., in 1878, to Alice Smith, by whom he has four children: John P., Jr., Alice T., Cornelia and Genevieve. Dr. and Mrs. Burke are members of the Catholic Church.