John Timothy Burke (abt. 1838 - 1914)

Born about 8 Jul 1838 in Drinagh West, County Cork, Ireland [uncertain]

Husband of Margaret (Collins) Burke — married 1863 in Oswego, New York, United States

Descendants

Died 23 Jun 1914 at about age 75 in Oswego, New York, United States

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Biography

John Burke migrated from Ireland to the United States.

John was born in 1838 in Drinagh West, County Cork, Ireland.^[1] His baptismal record, from 8 June 1838, shows that he was the son of Timmy Burke and Kate Hurly.^[1] Census records indicate that he immigrated to the United States in 1862,^[2][3] however his obituary says he came much earlier, "as a boy".^[4] He passed away on 23 June 1914.^[4][5][6]

Possible Military Service

Some sources identify John Burke of Oswego, NY (1838-1914) as the same John Burke who served in the Civil War, first as a Lieutenant Colonel with the 37th New York Infantry and then as a Colonel with the 63rd New York Infantry.^[7][8] Much as been written about Col. John Burke, but it has not been possible to locate any credible sources regarding his origins. In fact, Col. John Burke's civil war records show that he was 31 years old in 1861, which would make him 8 years older than John Burke.^[9]

Colonel John Burke first served in the 75th New York State Militia, where he was a Captain. As evidence of Burke's pre-Civil War service, the words "Captn. John Burke, New York, Jany. 1, 1857." are written on the flap of a copy of Winifred Scott's Infantry Tactics.^[10] The 75th was disbanded in 1856, but reconstituted in 1861 when the Civil War began.^[11] Burke was made Lieutenant Colonel and helped to recruit members of he 37th New York Infantry Regiment in New York City. In January of 1862, Burke distinguished himself in a skirmish with Texas Rangers at Mrs. Lee's tavern near the Occoquan bay in Virginia.

Colonel Hayman, of the Thirty-Seventh, sent out a party of fifty men, under Lieut. Col John Burke, on a reconnoissance, and upon reaching the house of Mrs. Lee they found it occupied by ten Texas rebels. They opened fire on them, killing nine of them, and taking the remaining one prisoner.^[12]

For this, Burke received the praise of his superiors, including General McClellan^[13] He was subsequently promoted to full Colonel of the 63rd Infantry Regiment. He was shot in the knee at the battle of Malvern Hill. His first engagement after returning to the 63rd was the Battle of Antietam. During the fighting, he was witnessed taking cover behind a hill while his regiment continued fighting a half mile ahead. He was court martialed for cowardice and dismissed from the Army in October 1862.^[13]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1655-1915. National Library of Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; Microfilm Number: Microfilm 04801 / 06. Ancestry Record 61039 #5840379
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSLH-J8M : accessed 24 January 2020), John Burke, Oswego city Ward 2, Oswego, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 122, sheet 8B, family 169, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,143.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M5ZL-RGB : accessed 25 January 2020), John Burke, Oswego Ward 2, Oswego, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 130, sheet 2B, family 39, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1062; FHL microfilm 1,375,075.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Obituary for John Burke in the Oswego Daily Times, Wednesday Evening, June 24, 1914, page 4.

   
   John Burke, for many years a prominent resident of the Second ward, died at his home, No. 85 East Eleventh street, last night. Mr. Burke was 76 years old and was born in Ireland. He came to America when a boy and settled in Oswego, where he has since resided. Mr. Burke had not been active in several years. About two years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Burke observed their golden wedding anniversary. The deceased was a member of St. Paul's church. Besides his wife, four sons and four daughters survive, namely, Timothy J. and William L. Burke, Oswego; John E. Burk, East Orange, N. J., and Daniel L. Burke, Buffalo, Catherine, Margaret, Mary and Bridget Burke, all of Oswego.
   

5. ↑ "Laid at Rest", article in the Oswego Daily Times, Friday Evening, June 26, 1914, page 6.

   
   The funeral of John Burke was held this morning at 9 o'clock from his late home, No. 86 East Eleventh street, and at St. Paul's church, a half hour later. The attendance was unusually large. The Rev. James F. Collins, assistant rector, officiated at the mass of requiem. Burial was made in the family lot at St. Paul's cemetery and the pallbearers were William Mundy, John Donovan, William Connell, John O'Brien, Thomas O'Brien and John Moran.
   

6. ↑ "New York, State Death Index, 1880-1956", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGFT-VVW2 : 20 October 2019), John Burke, 1914.
7. ↑ Find A Grave Memorial for John Theodore Burke, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/159631171 (Accessed 20 Jan 2020)
8. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "John Burke (colonel)," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Burke_(colonel)&oldid=903503929 (accessed January 25, 2020).
9. ↑ New York, Civil War Muster Roll Abstracts, 1861-1900. New York State Archives, Cultural Education Center, Albany, New York; New York Civil War Muster Roll Abstracts, 1861-1900; Archive Collection #: 13775-83; Box #: 123; Roll #: 981-982. Ancestry Record 1965 #240963
10. ↑ "Lot 81: Scott's Infantry Tactics, Inscribed by Col. John Burke, 63rd New York Infantry, WIA Seven Days Battles", Cowan Auctions, https://www.cowanauctions.com/lot/scott-s-infantry-tactics-inscribed-by-col-john-burke-63rd-new-york-infantry-wia-seven-days-battles-145140 (accessed January 25, 2020).
11. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "37th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=37th_New_York_Volunteer_Infantry_Regiment&oldid=924427997 (accessed January 25, 2020).
12. ↑ "Skirmish At Occoquan Creek". Hudson Daily Star. Thursday, January 30, 1862.
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1} Vaticano, Patricia, "A defense of the 63rd New York State Volunteer Regiment of the Irish Brigade" (2008). Master's Theses. Paper 703. Page 91