Patrick Burke, a prosperous farmer of Lee County, occupying a comfortable homestead on section 23, Van Buren Township, is a native of Ireland, born in County Mayo in 1831. He was a young man more than bright and ambitious, and in early youth being dissatisfied with his condition and prospects in his native country, resolved to emigrate to America, and at the age of twenty years set sail for Liverpool, and after a prosperous voyage landed in New Orleans, whence he went directly to Ohio. He there became an assistant on a farm, changing from his first location in that state to Warren County, where he remained until the fall of 1856. He then resolved to see the country beyond the Mississippi, and crossing the Father of Waters, came into Iowa and located in Lee County, where he cultivated rented land for the space of eight years. In the meantime he had labored diligently, saved his money, and purchased a tract of land. he was prospered in his undertaking, and added to his first purchase until is now the possessor of 240 acres, and is quite extensively engaged in the breeding of fine stock. The marriage of Patrick Burke and Miss Bridget McDonell took place March 28, 1853. Mrs. Burke is a native of the same country as her husband, and was born in 183. She came to America the same year of her husband's emigration, and located in Warren County, Ohio, with her parents. The later were James and Bridget (Mowry) McDonell, and they departed this life forty years ago. Their household included seven children; Dominick, Mary, Margaret, Anthony, Owen, Job, and Bridget (Mrs. Burke). The parents of our subject were Valentine and Sarah (Duffy) Burke. The father departed this life in 1846, in Ireland, and the Mother in 1870 Ohio. They were the parents of six children; Eulick, David, Mary M., Ann, Patrick, and Peter. After the death of her husband Mrs. Burke was a second time married, to Mr. Welsh, by whom she became the mother of two children; John and Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Burke have become the parents of seven children, of whom the record is as follows; Mary became the wife of D. Ford: Sarah is the wife of T. Hayes: Valentine married Miss Margaret Hayes: Ann, James, Bridget and Margaret are unmarried. Politically Mr. Burke is an uncompromising Democrat. Religiously he is connected by membership with the Catholic Church of String Prairie. He has held the office of Road Supervisor, and in every respect is worthily fulfilling the obligations of a good citizen. end. ___________________________________________________________________