The Irish standard., 1907-04-13
NORTH DAkoTA's GOVERNOR.

might haste to die.
NORTH DAkoTA'S GOVERNOR.
Hon. John Burke, Governor Of North
Dakota, will be one of the speakers at
the Jefferson banquet, to be given in
this city tonight. 1t is unnecessary to
say that Mr.. Burke is Democrat, and
that he is one Of the most popular men
in North Dakota was proven last Mo-
venaber by his election in state that
has habit of selecting Republicans
in gubernatorial contests by majorities
ranging from twenty to forty thousand.
A sketch Of Governor Burke will not
be out Of place at this time. He was
born in Keokuk county, Iowa, Feb. rs,
1859. and is therefore now 4S years Of
age. He was educated in the common
schools, grew to manhood on the farm.
entering the law department Of the
Iowa State University as student in
September. 1884, and graduated there
from in June, 1886. In the fall Of 1886
he commenced the practice of law in
Des Moines, entering into partnership
with his brother, Judge Thomas G.
Burke, now Of Baker City, Oregon.
Two years later, feeling that the north
west offered greater inducements to
young lawyer, he left his native state
and located in Rolette county, North
Dakota. Close application to business,
coupled with upright and reputable
soon brought it's reward in
a lucrative and increasing practice,
which in the course Of few years
necessitated his moving to Devils Lake,
where he formed a partnership with
Henry Middaugh under the firm name
of Burke & Middaugh. His parents
were natives Of the County Of Tip
perary, Ireland and they came to this
country in 1849. They were married
In New York in 1853 and came west
thereafter, settling in Iowa in the
spring of 1854. The governors mother,
Mary (Ryan) Burke. died when he was
but five years Of age. His father,
John Burke, Sr., is living at Sigourney,
Iowa. in his eighty-third year. On
Aug. %, 1891, Dakota's governor was
married to Miss Mary Kane of Wake
sha, Wis. They have three children,
Elizabeth, aged twelve; Thomas, aged
ten, and Martin, aged five. Mrs. Burke
is bright and accomplished lady and
her wifely counsel and companionship
has contributed a great deal to her
husbands advancement and success.
Governor Burke served two years as
county judge Of Rolette county. He
was elected to the state legislature,
member Of the lower house in 1891. and
to the senate in 1892. serving in the
latter body in 1893 and 1895. He was
honored by the Democratic party with
the nomination for attorney general in
1894, for congress in 1896. for district
judge in 1900. and for governor in
1906. In the latter contest he was
honored by the voters of both parties
with an election, defeating Governor
sarles, who two years before was
elected by a plurality of 1892. He
made a vigorous campaign, the issues
of which are still fresh in the public
mind Governor Burke is one Of the
leading and potent factors Of the
Democratic party of North Dakota and
has an excellent private, business and
political record. He is a man pos
sessed of so many sterling qualities
that he has made host Of friends
throughout the state regardless of po-
litical affiliations. These facts made
him, not only the most available man
in the Democratic party for the nomi-
nation of governor, but demonstrated
that by virtue Of them he was able
to rally thousands of Republican
voters to his standard. And Governor
Burkes administration, be it said, is
meeting with favor as he has, during
the brief period he has held the guber-
material chair, inspired the confidence
and respect Of those with whom he
has differed politically. In religion hs
is a Catholic. and this can also be said
of his wife and children. Honest
John Burke will receive a royal well
come tonight in Minneapolis. '
Tho edifying practice, widespread
among the faithful Of Ireland, and in