Randolph County, Indiana
Austin H. Burke
A man of marked individuality, Austin H. Burke, well-known cement contractor and builder of Winchester is a typical representative of that large and enterprising class of business men to whom Randolph county owes much of its prosperity and development, and his record shows him to have been faithful in the performance of his duty in the community to his neighbors and to himself. He is the scion of a sterling old family of West Virginia, noted for their industry, integrity, hospitality and public-spiritedness.
Mr. Burke was born September 3, 1877 in Randolph county, West Virginia. He is a son of John and Martha (Ferguson) Burke. The father engaged all his life in general agricultural pursuits and spent his active life in West Virginia, but after the death of his wife in 1892 he came with his family to Winchester, Randolph county, Indiana, and here again engaged in farming which he followed with his usual success for a period of seven years when he retired.
Austin H. Burke was reared on the home farm in West Virginia and there worked hard when a boy, and during the winter months he attended the public schools in his community. After coming to Indiana he worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he engaged in the cement contracting business. Being apt to learn and a young man of ambition, he soon had mastered the ins and outs of the business and had a good start in the same, and he has remained in this business continuously ever since. He started with little capital, but he was a boy of good character and he had all the credit necessary, and he succeeded from the first, his business continuing to grow with the years until it has now assumed large proportions and he is known, favorably and well all over this section of the state, where many fine buildings, business, public and private, stand as monuments to his skill and honesty as a builder. He does all kinds of cement work, from the plain substantial to the ornamental and fantastic in building. He also handles all kinds of building material and is regarded as one of Randolph county's most reliable contractors. His business extends far beyond the confines of this county and he is a very busy man at all seasons.
Mr. Burke was married on July 13, 1902, to Ella M. Summers, daughter of David and Elmira (Rough) Summers, an excellent Randolph county family. Here Mrs. Burke grew to womanhood and received a good education in the public schools. The union of our subject and wife has resulted in the birth of one son and one daughter, namely Charles and Lettie.
Mr. Burke is a member of the Independent Order of Red Men, and politically, he is a Democrat, and has long been interested and active in public matters. He is a member of the city council of Winchester and has done a great deal toward the general upbuilding of the town, being an ardent advocate of substantial public improvements and everything that looks to the betterment of public conditions.
Mr. Burke's place of business is located at 233 West Washington street, where he is well situated and where he always carries an excellent stock of building material.
Personally, he is a genial, companionable, trustworthy gentleman whom everybody respects and trusts.
Past and Present of Randolph County, Indiana, 1914.
Contributed by Gina Richardson