My Genealogy Hound

Edmund Burke, attorney at law, was born in County Clare, Ireland, June 3, 1829, and is a son of Patrick Burke, who died in Ireland at the age of ninety-three years. He was a farmer by occupation. Edmund Burke was reared in his native country until fourteen years of age, and followed farming in County Clare until 1842, when he sailed for America, taking passage at Liverpool. After a voyage of fifty-six days he landed at New Orleans, where he remained and attended school until 1845, after which he came to St. Louis, and there attended the university for two or three years. He came to America alone, and was not acquainted with a single person aboard the ship. In 1848 he went to Dubuque, Iowa, where he clerked for his brother, John, in the mercantile business. In the spring of 1850 he came to Lewis County, Mo., and engaged in teaching school for five years. While teaching school he studied law, and was admitted to practice in Lewis County, Mo., in 1854. One year later he came to Moniteau County, Mo., began the practice of law, and has built up a large and lucrative business. He acted as mayor of the city for a short time, and is at present city counselor. He owns about 2,000 acres of land in Moniteau and adjoining counties, has a pasture of 640 acres in one field, and has one of the best farms in the county adjoining the town of California. He was married in 1860 to Philomelia A. Smoot, of Virginia, and by whom he has five children living: Mary P., Letha L., Walter P., Belle and Victoria. Mrs. Burke is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Burke derives much enjoyment from his profession, and cares little or nothing for political offices. He is a Democrat in politics, usually votes, and that ends his duties to his party. He was reared in the Catholic Church, and still adheres to that faith.