"The Byron Express", Friday January 01, 1892

Patrick Burke was born in Callen, Kilkenney Co., Ireland, May 1818. He came to America with his father in 1828. His father died soon after arriving in this country thus leaving the boy among strangers in a strange country.
He lived with a farmer at Kingston, Pa., until he grew to manhood. In 1845 he came to Byron Township and opened a farm, and since that time has by good management, accumulated a comfortable fortune, having at the time of his death, with other property, 450 acres of choice land.
He was married June 25, 1846, to Miss Nancy Whitney, who shared with him all the hardships of pioneer life. Mr. Burke was the father of four children, three of whom proceeded him to the other world, the eldest, Edmund, is at present a successful lawyer of Chicago.
Mr. Burke and family retired from their farm in 1880, and removed to the village of Byron, where they resided until the time of his death. About a year ago he an Mrs. Burke went to Florida to spend the winter hoping the climate would be beneficial to Mrs. Burke's health. In this hope they were disappointed and they returned last Spring just in time for her to die at home.
About one month ago Mr. Burke fearing to spend the winter here he went to Southern California, he contracted a cold soon after he arrived which developed into acute pneumonia which terminated his life Dec. 15.
He made a profession of Christianity in early manhood and for many years had been an active member of the M.E. church.
His remains were brought to Byron last Saturday afternoon, and the funeral held in the M.E. church Sabbath morning. His pastor, Rev. F.W. Nazarene, preached from Job.1:1-8. to a large and sympathetic congregation. The remains were interred in our village cemetery.

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