Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-02-22


Unmindful Of the storm.
FLORA J. FLOWER.
NORTH BLOOMFIELD, Feb. l, 1871.
-o-s
Biographical Sketch and AnecdOte OF
Hon. Stephen Burke Of Cleveland.
EDITOR CHRoNICLE:-Now that
Judge Burke has gained some addi-
tional n0toriety in his mastery man
ner Of conducting the case Of his "eli-
ent, (" DR.. Galentine, perhaps the fol-
lowing biographical sketch and anec-
dote Of him will be interesting to
your readers:
HOW HE BECAME A LAWYER.
Stephen Burke was brought from
Ireland by his parents when quite
young. being one Of several children.
His parents settled in the north part
of Lorain county. 1t was not long
before young Burke began to evince
a disposition to become something
more than a farmer; but his parents
discouraged the idea that they saw
developing in their hopeful son, for
the reason that they needed his as
sistance on the farm, and the more be-
cause he had an impediment in his
speech, he not being able TO speak a
word without lisping. But all to no
purpose, he did not like the farm, and
he did not like that kind OF labor
At last yielding to his opportunities,
his father procured him place in II.
X. Kendall's dry goods store-he be-
ing then prince of merchants" in
Lorain county, and located at Elyria.
Young Burke commenced his duties
as clerk at the foot of the ladder. AL
though older than some Of the boy
clerks, he was the youngest clerk and
had ID do the sweeping, busting, and
choring generally. He went about
his work cheerfuIly, but his fellows
continually annoyed him by constant
ly referring to his impediment and
answering his civil questions by lisp-
ing in mimicry of Burke. Nothing
dauuted, Burke kept steadily about
his business giving no heed to the
jeers of his tormentors, and improved
every leisure moment in diligently
studying and in trying to overcome
the hated impediment which he event
ualIy succeeded in doing. The alac-
rity with which he went about his
duties, and the indomitable persever-
ance of his will and character soon
won the utmost confidence of his en-
plOver by whom he was advanced,
step by step, to the position Of first
salesman. About this time an event
happened which seemed to change
the whole current of Burke's thoughts
into a new channel, being none other
than his conversion and connecting
himself with the Methodist Episcopal
church. Impelled by what he con-
sidered his duty, he asked for and Ot-
tained q license to preach. he con-
tinued as a clerk, preaching on the
1 Sabbath in different locations FOR two
or three years, but he was ambitious
I to do morein the vineyard Of the Lord,
and earnestly desired to be admitted
to Conference and enter upon the
I regular work Ofan "itinerant" minis
i ter. In this, he was encouraged by
his presiding elders and preachers
/ in charge, F." and attended several an
nual conferences hoping to be admit
| ted, but only to come away with a
a heavy heart and sadly disappointed.
1 FINALLY the Annual Conference set in
! Toledo, and having received renewed
/ announcement from 1.-THE preacher in
/ chArgeD and elders, he repaired to
| Conference, attired in all the haoili-
| ments Of an old time MethO OdiSt preach
er, viz: Broad brim, low crown, snuff
/ colored. beaver hat, white ehoker,
/ black suit, coat and vest, cut single
breasted, green leggings, ,eamlet cloak,
spurs. portmanteau, &C., mounted on
horse (for the reader must remem-
Der that there were no railroads in
those days), he started for Conference
on his somewhat tedious journey,
hoping, fearing, praying; ever and
/ anon breaking the mOnOtOny of his
Journey by singing snatches of songs
and hVmns from his favorite Wesley,
until be at length reached the little
village situated on the "Maumee. j.
Here he was greeted by his brethren
with cordial shakes of the hand and
words Of encouragement.
Conference once over, the appoint
ments were read of, when, 10! Broth
er Burke was again "left out In the
cold" Sadly and mOurnfully he
1 wended his way to his lodgings, bu;
the casual lobserveTmight have noticed
a determined expression settling over
his face. Starting out on his home
ward trip the next morning, in COM
pany with q number of preachers, all
cheerful and elated over their new ap-
pointments, Burke was silent, and
riding little in advance of the rest
he finally drew up his horse and stood
/ as Rotionless as q statue, with his head
a little bent in a meditative mood
The others coming up accosted hin
T with, "Brother Burke, what is th'
) matter?n To which Burke replied
Gentlemen, for several years l hav'
been trying to serve my Lord anC
Masther. 1 felt I had aspethisl call Z
5 preach Hith word and call sinerth Z
repententh, and for theveral yearti
a I have been trying to get admitted in
=; TO Conferenth, and 1 have been en-
5 couraged every year to attend Confer
]. enth by the elder and preacher Il
CHARGE only to be dithappolnte
when Conferenth wath over. Thit
: year I confidently exthpected | shoul
be admitted, but l an again dithaI
, pointed, and now, gentlemen, te
II YOU what it ith, be hanged if l don
e 20 where talent it'll appreciated. "
= And throwing his hymn book an
e Bible into the Maumee Swamp, b
e put spurs to his horse and was 500
Z out Of sight. He went home to Ely
j ria and entered H. ID. Clark's la
6 Office where he applied himselfclosel
. to study for three years, and then vi
e admitted to practice and taken I'M
es partnership with his tutor, and h'
since occupied the "bench" for fiN
years, and is now justly considers
one Of the ablest lawyers in the Sta
- Of Ohio. He got where talent
:: fully appreciated. SELIN.
e BRIsToLvILLE, Feb. 6, 1871
OF
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