Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

(I) Thomas Burke, grandfather of
William Burke, of Greenwich, was born
in Tipperary, Ireland. He married Mary
Purcell.
(II) William Burke, son of Thomas
and Mary (Purcell) Burke, was born in
1820, in Tipperary, Ireland, and when a
lad was brought by his parents to the
United States. He was all his life a
farmer in Perryville, Madison county,
New York, and the homestead there is
still in possession of the family. During
the Civil War he served in the army, en-
listing from Perryville. He married
Joanna Dwyer, born in Tipperary, Ire-
land, daughter of John Dwyer, and their
children were : Mary, Malachi, Thomas
Joseph, John, Joanna, Lawrence Paul,
Margaret, William, mentioned below ; and
Edward Charles, who lives on the old
homestead. In March, 1915, Mr. Burke
passed away at the venerable age of nine-
ty-five years.
(III) William (2) Burke, son of William
(1) and Joanna (Dwyer) Burke, was
born May 30, 1870, in Perryville, Madison
county, New York. He received his early
education in the public schools of his
native town, passing thence to Cazenovia
Seminary, and then entering Syracuse
University. He was fitted for his profes-
sion in the Long Island Medical College,
New York, graduating in 1896 with the
degree of Doctor of Medicine. Choosing
Greenwich as the scene of his professional
career, Dr. Burke at once entered upon a
course of active practice, advancing step
by step as the years went on to the posi-
tion of recognized leadership which he
has so long occupied. He engages in the
general practice of his profession, special-
izing in obstetrics. He was a member of
the staff of the old Greenwich Hospital,
and later held the position of surgeon on
the governing staff of the present hos-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
115
pital, resigning in 1918. He is a member
and ex-president of the Greenwich Medical
Society, also belonging to the County
and State Medical societies, the New
York Academy of Medicine, and the
American Medical Association.
In the promotion of the best interests
of his community, Dr. Burke has taken
an active part, serving for a number of
years as chairman of the School Board.
He is a member of the Young Men's
Christian Association. With the frater-
nal and social life of his home city he is
prominently identified, affiliating with the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks,
and Orinoco Council, Knights of Colum-
bus, serving in the latter organization as
examining physician. He belongs to
Court General Putnam, Foresters of
America, which was organized in his own
office twenty-two years ago, and he is
a member of the Indian Harbor Yacht
Club. He has always been a tennis player
and has ever maintained a strong interest
in athletics.
Dr. Burke married, November 4, 1897,
Anna A. Mongon, daughter of P. T. Mon-
gon, and they are the parents of three
children : Lawrence Paul, born September
14, 1898, was a member of the naval unit
of Syracuse University in the class of
1920; Marian, born May 28, 1900; and
Anna, born February 9, 1902.
In 1921, Dr. Burke will round out
twenty-five years of a successful and hon-
orable professional career. During this
time he has ministered to two generations
of the people of Greenwich by whom he
is regarded both as a trusted medical ad-
viser and a valued friend. These will join
with his medical associates in ce'ebrating
the completion of a quarter of a century
of noble service, and the entire community
will unite in congratulations on
the past and good wishes for the future.