Eliza Burke
May 30, 1842-May 20, 1915
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 20, 1915, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library
MISS ELIZA BURKE PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING AT 10:10
Ill only one week with pneumonia, Miss Eliza Burke passed away this morning at 10:10 o'clock. She was a sister of the late Mrs. Thos. DeMott, the shock of whose death is thought to have been the direct cause of her demise, as she had apparently been very depressed and deeply grieved ever since the sad news was told her.
Miss Burke had been making her home with the brother, A.R. Burke on the old Starkweather farm, north of the city, and it was here that she passed away. The funeral arrangements have not yet been made. There are many friends and deep admirers of the deceased lady, who are today sincerely mourning her loss.
Niles Daily Sun, Friday, May 21, 1915, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library
IN MEMORIAM
ELIZA BURKE
May 30, 1842-May 20, 1915
Enfeebled by a year of intermittent illness, Eliza Burke was fatally stricken by the shock of the sudden death of her sister, Mrs. Thomas Demott. After a week of acute suffering the end came.
Of a family of twelve Miss Burke was the sixth to pass away. Prior to the death of Mrs. Demott the others who had gone were, Mrs. Irving Clendenen, Chicago; Mrs. Frank Sparks, Niles; Mrs. Henderson, Easton, Eau Claire; and John Rodgers Burke, Niles.
Of Miss Burke's immediate household, Alexander Rodgers Burke is left alone.
Eliza Burke was the fourth daughter of the late Hon. Andrew Lewis Burke and Margaret Rodgers, Virginians, who began their pioneer life together in 1821, when they took up many acres of land lying along the St. Joseph river between Niles and Berrien Springs.
In this homestead Miss Burke was born and lived for sixty-four years--until she and her brother Alexander exchanged it for her late home place.
In her fourteenth year she became a pupil at St. Mary's Academy, at Notre Dame, Indiana, and when her convent days were over returned to her father's home, where she began a life of unremitting care for those she loved--for her bereaved father and his motherless children.
As one by one the children left for other homes, and the father passed away, there still remained the brother, Alexander, to receive the comfort of her mothering.
Like many another single woman, Miss Burke possessed to an unusual degree the mother-heart, and its natural cravings found an outlet in the kindly ministrations that brought peace to many a troubled one that sought her sympathy.
Retiring as she was, her life of loyal service has obtained for her a boundless gratitude that will enshrine her in the faithful memory of many for years to come.