The Oskaloosa herald., 1916-03-30
JOHN sURKE,s SUCCESS.

Richard Burke, Formerly owner OF the
Oskaloosa Times. and the man who
once delighted the annual meeting of
the Commercial Club. j. W. Jarnagin
says in his Iowa Farmer"
Years ago there lived upon farm
in keokuk county. Iowa, not far from
the town of Sigourney, lad who did
the chores, attended the country
school. piowed corn, visited the swim.
ming hole in the English river on hot
DAYS in tho summer and did various
and sundry stunts Just like other farm
ers' boys dill without any apparent
thought of what he would follow when
he got to be a man. That boy doubt
less never dreamed that the time
would over come when his name
would appear upon the circulating
medium of his country
We have before us a crisp. new sill
yer certificate. 1T is evidence that
Their, is silver bullion deposited in the
treasury vaults of the United States
to protect the amount of paper cur.
rency thus issued. 1t Circulates as
real money and it passes current for
all debts public and private. 1t is real
UiOUbN just do SlCCubhINo' h"N'O"'
bank notes and other bills that have
the government back of them. And this
crisp. new silver certificate has mp
on It the signatures of John Burke.
treasurer OF the United States. That
is the name of the ers-while barefoot
boy that earlv settlers in keokuk
county remember
John Burke grew to Young manhood.
went to college anil fitted himself for
life's activities. Like numerous other
Iowa boys he sought the great open
nrairies of the northwest. and 1t was
not long until he was prominent in
business and political circles in North
DAKOTA. He owns lot of land. was
active in the development OF that ne"
state, and so when the proper time
came a governor was wanted OF the
type of man that John Burke was and
he was placed at the head of the
growing commonwealth. After serv-
ing two terms his administration OF
the Office attracted the attention Of the
country: When democratic admins
tration cana into power treasurer
Of the United States in sympathy with
the new orde~ of things was wanted
and John Burke was chosen.
When as lad he was day dream
ing on the old farm in Keokuk coun-
-ty doubtless the thought never enter
ed his head that some day he would
be governor of great state and go
from that position to the capital OF his
country AMI handle the money OF
great nation. become responsible for
millions and millions of dollars. at.
tach his signature to the circulating
medium and stand sentinel over the
money vaults of the republic. But he
had prehared himself for just such a
responsible position by giving heed to
his conduct when he was growing up
on the Iowa farm He did not think it
the proper thing to pose as tough
and snort. He stunned booze and those
who used it. He loved his home. he
was attentive to those in authority
over him. he improved his time and
when young manhood aroused his
SlumberinG ambition he resolved TO III
himself for something worth while
He never forgot the sacred Influences
Of that farm home, he cherished the
DrecpDts that his teacher in that
humble country school house impart
Cd TO him and when OnnCrtunitE
'-no"ked at his door John Burke ans
wered. Ave. sir" He was ready 10
obey the summons. and he was quail
fed to discharge the duties imposed
Not every boy that is upon an Iowa
farm has such opportunities, but ev
cry boy has it within his reach to
make the most of the opportunities
that 10 present themselves. To live
right, form good habits, respect and
revere parents and teachers. give
heed to the nobler impulses and aspr
ations CT the human heart are part
Of the legacy that can come to every
American boy. AMI it matters no:
whether high political honors and EN-
oluments come to call to duty and tC
responsibility is none the less sacred