Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1911-04-07
OBITUARY..
ATTORNEY EDMUND W. BURKE.
From the Chateaugay Record, Marcel

ltrom the Chateaugay Record, March
10. 1911
On Monday evening was received the
sad intelligence that Edmund w. Burke,
had passed away during the hours of
very critical condi ton with Bright's dis
ease at the time of his departure last
Friday for his old home at Port Henry
and the very rapid decline in his health
during the last two or three months
gave US but slender hope of his ever re-
turning to Chateaugay, still no one
thought the end so near, thus the news
is distinct shock. 1t is about five
years since Mr.. Burke came to our
village to practice his profession as a
lawyer, and during his residence in our
midst he distinguished himself as a
thorough gentleman, a good and useful
citizen, who loved the home of his
adoption and strove to be benefit to it,
and kindly man.
The surname Burke was of Norman
origin and spelled DeBergo, or De-
Bergen, and the remote ancestors of the
deceased went from Normandy to Ire
land at an early time in the history of
the Christian era. His father, David
C. Burke, was born in County Cork,
lIeldIu, III lO1O, dllu CdIue W lflS COQIl-
try in 1889, locating in Vermont, and
Edmund was born in Middlebury, Vt,
Nov. 16, 1860, and his early education
was received in the public schools of his
native town. From 1882 to 1887 he was
a merchant at Cobleskill, NJ Y, and in
1888 began the study of law in the Of
fee of Patrick McRory of Port Henry.
During the second administration of
President Cleveland his brother, now
the Rev. David N. Burke, was ap-
pointed consul general and minister at
Tangier, Morocco, and the deceased
went with him as vice consul general,
remaining from 1896 to 1893 and ever
since returning to the United States he
engaged exclusively in the practice of
his profession, finally locating here as
above stated.
One of the characteristics of Mr..
Burke which will make him long re-
membered was his deep interest in pol
tics. He was democrat through and
through but being a broad-minded man
he studied every question from all
sides and in every phase, so that the
conclusions at which he arrived were
always liberal and sound, and few men
had the ability to even hold their own in
political argument with him. Still
he was candid and fair in every stand
he took and those who engaged in dis
cussion with him felt that even though
he might have defeated them they
had spent the time with profit to them
selves.
Although his sojourn with us was
comparatiN ely short, he won our con-
fidence, and this we showed by placing
him in positions of trust in the village
as police justice and in the town as
Justice of the peace and a member of
the town board. AS such he took an
active interest in the building of our
town hall and was ever watchful for an
opportunity to save a few dollars for
the taxpayers. When the Chateaugay
Board of Trade was organized two years
ago. Mr. Burke became member and
at the two annual banquets held by that
organization, displayed another side of
his makeup, the poetical, and recited
some original verses which gave
evidence not only of considerable ability
but of deep-seated interest in every
thing which tended to the betterment
of our community.
The burial services were held from
St. Patrick's church, Port Henry, on
Wednesday morning. A solemn high
Mass was said for the repose of his soul,
of which his brother Rev. d. n. Burke,
was the celebrant, Rev. R. F. Pierce,
pastor, deacon and Rev. Edward Ken
needy subdeacon. The Rev. Father
Pierce preached very touching and
appropriate sermon. The remains We're
! taken for interment to St. Patrick
cemetery, Port Henry.
Mr.. Burke was a member of Wad-
hams Council, X. of c., and held the
Office of advocate. A very beautiful
floral tribute was sent by this Council
to be placed on the casket. He was a
worthy member of a family dis
tinguished for more than the average
mental ability, a kindly, considerate
and frank hearted gentleman, and we
feel genuine sorrow that the messenger
of death called him to his everlasting
home while his years We're not yet full
and he could have still been of much
good in the world at large. To those
who most deeply feel his loss we extend
our sincere sympathy.