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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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History of the Great Lakes
Illustrated, In Two Volumes, Vol. II
Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co., 1899

           [204-205]

                  JAMES V. BURKE, a leading and representative  business
               man of Chicago, was a marine engineer for a number of years,
               but is now successfully engaged in business at No. 51 South
               Canal street, as a dealer in machinery and supplies, and
               also as a manufacturer of BURKE'S smokeless furnace, BURKE'S
               shaking grates, and oil filters. Although the business is
               comparatively new he has already built up an excellent
               trade.
                  MR. BURKE was born in Grand Haven, Mich., in 1854, a son
               of JOHN and CATHARINE (FURLONG) BURKE, natives of Ireland.
               During early life the father was a sailor on salt water, and
               after coming to the New World located at Grand Haven, Mich.,
               and engaged in sailing on the lakes, principally from Chi-
               cago to Michigan ports. He owned two vessels, the Ithaca and
               the Illinois, both engaged in the lumber trade. He was one
               of the well-known and prominent lake men for several years.
               His death occurred in Chicago, in 1893, and his wife died in
               the same city in 1890.
                  Coming with his parents to Chicago in early life JAMES V.
               BURKE was reared and educated in that city, and there
               learned engineering, and also the machinist's trade, on
               Canal street. In 1873 he commenced sailing from that port as
               engineer on the New Era, and for seven years was engineer on
               the Gen. Payne, which belonged to the Michigan Barge Com-
               pany, and was engaged in towing lumber barges from Chicago
               to all Michigan ports. One year he spent on the Chicago
               river as engineer of the tug Constitution; the following two
               years was chief engineer of the City of Rome; and for the
               same length of time was engineer of the Roanoke, which was
               engaged in carrying general merchandise and grain to Ogdens-
               burg, N.Y. Quitting the lakes in 1886, he was chief engineer
               of the city hall for two winters, and then had charge of the
               Michael Reese hospital one winter. His next position was as
               chief engineer of the Charles Counselman building at the
               corner of Jackson boulevard and LaSalle street, where he
               remained eighteen months, and on the completion of the Home
               Insurance building, was appointed chief engineer of it,
               holding that position for six years. He then began the manu-
               facture of the BURKE smokeless furnace, which was patented
               in 1891, and has since successfully engaged in business
               along his present line.
                  MR. BURKE is one of the leading and influential influen-
               tial members of the M. E. B. A., No. 4, of which he was
               president in 1890; and he also belongs to the Stationary
               Engineers Association, No. 1; the Engineers Club; the Royal
               Arcanum, of which he is vice-regent; and the Independent
               Order of Foresters, of which he has been presiding officer.
                  In 1891, in Chicago, he was married to Miss CATHARINE
               MILLER, and to them have been born three children: VINCENT,
               FRANCES and MARY MARGARET.

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