Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

R., also followed agricultural pursuits,
and owned a large farm on Asylum Hill.
This he sold and removed to Phelps, New
York, where he continued farming for fif-
teen years. On his return to Connecticut
he settled at Windsor, where he operated
an old fashioned saw-mill in addition to
his farm work. In his later life he sought
a change from the arduous labors of the
farm and engaged in mercantile business,
and he was for more than twenty years
employed by the large dry goods house
of Brown-Thomson & Company, of Hart-
ford. Mr. St. John married Caroline
Hicks, and they were the parents of
eleven children, nine of whom grew to
manhood and womanhood, six of whom
are as follows : William E., George H.,
Arthur R., Robert, Luella, Annetta. Mr.
and Mrs. St. John were regular attend-
ants of the Methodist Episcopal church
of Hartford, and in the good works of
that institution they took an active part.
George H. St. John, the second son and
child of this marriage, of whom this
article more particularly treats, received
his education in the public schools of Hart-
ford. He early displayed in his char-
acter those qualities of resourcefulness
and business acumen which prophesy the
successful man in business. He served
his apprenticeship to learn the plumbing
business under George Mahl. Sufficient
evidence of his ability in this line is the
fact that in 1905 he engaged in business
on his own account, doing general plumb-
ing and steam heating, also including re-
pairs and contracting work. The high
standard of his work and his strict integrity
in business details have won for him
a well defined place among his business
associates. Outside of his business ab-
sorptions, Mr. St. John has few other
interests. Devoted to his home and fam-
ily he takes little part in civic affairs,
although willing to foster and aid in any
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
84
welfare movement, and those who desire
his assistance in the furthering of any
worthy project find him most easy of
access. Quiet and unassuming in man-
ner, he finds his keenest enjoyment within
his own family circle.
Mr. St. John married Elizabeth Hart,
daughter of William Hart, a native of
Barkhamstead, Connecticut. The ancestry
of Mrs. St. John also traces to early Connecticut
families. The marriage of Mr.
St. John has been blessed with six chil-
dren : Eleanor M., Dorothy, Russell G.,
Gladys, Lawrence, Mildred. With his
family, Mr. St. John attends the St.
Thomas Episcopal Church of Hartford,
and is active in the works of that institu-
tion.
BURKE, Augustus M.,
Enterprising Citizen.
Among the well known and prominent
business men of the city of Rockville,
Connecticut, Augustus M. Burke is held
in high esteem for his integrity and upright
business dealings. Mr. Burke was
born November 18, 1873, in the city where
he has attained his success, the son of
Henry and Ann (Norton) Burke. The
Irish family of Burke are traced to the
Anglo-Norman, De Burghs, one of whom
settled in Ireland soon after the acquisi-
tion of that country by the English raon-
archs. The name, Afric de Burc, appar-
ently of Saxon origin, appears in the
Domesday of Suffolk.
Henry Burke, father, was born May
31, 1835, in County Galway, Ireland, son
of John Burke. He died April 3, 1916, at
his home in Rockville, Connecticut.
Henry Burke landed in New York, July
3, 1850. Locating in Dedham, Massachu-
setts, Henry found employment there in
driving the stage between Dedham and
West Dedham, and this incident, trivial