The San Francisco call., 1907-01-20
Assemblyman John ]. Burke
Dies After a Brief Illness
Suddenly Stricken by Spinal Meningitis

OAKLAND Jan. 1S.-John ]. Burke,
Assemblyman from the Forty-ninth
District and grand president of the
Young Mems Institute, Pacific jurisdtc-
tion, died this afternoon IN Providence
Hospital of spinal meningitis. His de-
mise was unexpected, as he had been
i'll less than twenty-four hours.
Burke returned from Sacramento yes
terday morning, and after going to the
law Offices of Shook & Church, with
whom he was associated, left his valise
there and went to his home, S22 Mag
nolia street. He complained to his
mother of feeling i'll, and attributed his
indisposition to a cold. Last night
Burke's condition became worse and
this morning he requested that a ply
sician be summoned and DR.. j. M.
Kane was called The patient became
unconscious at O'Clock and at nool
was removed to the hospital, where he
breathed his last two hours later. Ev-
cry means known to medical science
were utilized by DR.. ]. NJ. Kane. DIR.
o. d. Hamlin, DR.. j. L. Milton and Dr.
G.. G. Reinle in their efforts to save
the life of the legislator, but they
could not stay the remarkably swift
progress of the disease.
John Joseph Burke was the eldest
son of William and Ellen Burke and
was born in the city twenty-eight years
and six months ago. He was educated
in the parochial school of st. Patrick's
parish, West Oakland, and at Santa
Clara College, where he spent FIVE
years. graduating in 1897 with the de-
gree of A. B. Shortly after his gradu-
alton Burke became an instructor in
Latin in the Oakland Polytechnic
School Eight years ago he entered
the offices of Shook & Church, where
he read law and fitted himself for an
examination for admission to the bar.
which he passed with high honors in
1904.
In the year that he was admitted to
practice law Burke was elected on the
Republican ticket in the Forty-ninth
sented by the late David w. McWade,
who died a few weeks ago of blood
poisoning Burke acquitted himself
with distinction during his first term
in the Legislature and in the election
last November was returned by an in
creased majority.
Burke had a wide acquaintance and
by reason of his genial and cordial
manner made and retained a legion of
friends. He was popular in fraternal
circles. and, besides being the grand
president of the Young Mems Institute,
was the president of American Council
NO s, Young Mems Institute, of this
city; member of Oakland Lodge No.
I'll, of Elks; of Oakland Council No.
7S4, Knights of Columbus; of Athens
Parlor, Native Sons, and the U. P. e. c..
He was elected grand president of the
Young Mems Institute last August.
Burke was engaged to marry Miss
Stella Long, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.
James Long of 952 Willow street. Be-
sides his parents, Burke leaves two
brothers, William and Bernard, and a
cousin, Policeman Frank Ahern of this
city.
Arrangement for the funeral have
not yet been completed, but 1T has been
decided to have the last rites on Tues
day. The body will lie in the under
taking parlors of James McManus,
Seventh and Castro streets. until Tues
day morning, when 1t will be taken to
ST. Patricks Church. where a requiem
mass will be said.