USA > New York > Hudson-Mohawk genealogical and family memoirs, Volume I > Part 47
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Dr. Peter Ulic Burke, or as he was called, Doctor Ulic Burke, was born in Birr, Ire- land, August 24th, 1798. His classical studies were made under learned teachers in private schools and academies. When he had com- pleted his study of humanities he entered Trinity College. Dublin, where he finished a successful course in medicine and surgery. As Dr. Burke was a Catholic, he could not receive his diploma and graduate from Trin- ity. The Emancipation Act had not as yet been passed, hence he was obliged to enter the University of Edinburgh, which at that time was in the zenith of its glory. The celebrated Dr. Knox was at that period the demonstrator of anatomy. Under Dr. Knox and other celebrated professors, Dr. Burke completed another full course of studies. His success in his classes was so great that he re- ceived, as a mark of special distinction, a written diploma signed by the president and all the professors.
Returning to Ireland, Dr. Burke took up his residence in Dublin and opened his office at 77 Lower Gardner street. Not very long af- ter his coming to Dublin, an event occurred which had a great influence in the subsequent career of the young practitioner. A noble- man from the west of Ireland came to Dub-
lin to be treated for a growth in the throat, which caused him great suffering. He applied to several of the older surgeons in Dublin, but they could not relieve him ; finally he applied to young Dr. Burke. The practice of sur- gery at that period was much more difficult than at the present time. The use of chloro- form, ether and other anaesthetics, which at the present time render surgical operations comparatively easy, was then unknown. The young surgeon fully realized the delicacy and the danger of the operation. He, however, undertook to perform it, and lie succeeded so well, that the nobleman fully recovered his health. He was so grateful that he persuaded Dr. Burke to come and reside near him. The practice of Dr. Burke in his new home became in a short time very extensive. His services were called upon for many miles around, and he included among his patients nearly all the prominent families in the district. He was invited in consultation by the neighboring doc- tors in all important cases. Not only was Dr. Burke consulted in surgical and medical matters, but he so enjoyed the confidence of his patients and of his neighbors, that they frequently consulted him in their personal and business affairs.
As in Ireland there was but little hope of procuring suitable positions for his numerous family of sons, Dr. Burke came to the United States in 1850 and settled in Utica, New York, where he resumed his practice of medicine and surgery. His first patient in Utica was a venerable old gentleman, the father of a Methodist minister. The old gentleman was loud in his praise of the new doctor. His prac- tice daily increased, and his success in treat- ing his patients was phenomenal. So skillful was he in his diagnosis, that the judgment of Dr. Burke as to the final result of the ill- ness was considered almost infallible. He took a deep interest in the Oneida County Medical Society, of which he remained an active member until he was removed from ac- tive participation by a stroke of paralysis.
Notwithstanding his large practice, the Doctor found time to devote to religious, edu- cational and charitable works. He was for many years president of St. Vincent de Paul's Society, of which many of the most prominent Catholics of Utica were members. He had al- ways at hicart the establishment of an orphan asylum for boys. There was already in Utica a large flourishing asylum for girls. The at- tention of Dr. Burke was called to the case of two boys who had no home and no one to provide for them. He immediately called the attention of the society to the sad fact, and, after consultation with the other members of
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+ Humans M. S. Burke Bishop of albany
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the society, the Doctor induced the Brothers to receive these two boys into their house and provide for their maintenance. This was real- ly the beginning of the Boys' Asylum in Utica. The Asylum at present is an imposing building, and it occupies a prominent position on Rutger street.
Dr. Burke always took a deep interest in promoting education. He was not only a skilled physician, but he was also a linguist, having a thorough knowledge of Latin and Greek, and was also versed in Italian, Span- ish and French. He translated from the French for the Christian Brothers, several works. Having suffered a severe stroke of paralysis, Dr. Burke retired from the practice of medicine. Although his left side and arm were affected, he still retained his mental vigor, so that he was able to devote himself to literary work. He composed for the Broth- ers of the Christian School, Burke's "Amer- ican Practical Arithmetic," with Burke's "Pri- mary Arithmetic." .He also wrote a work upon philosophy, the publication of which was prevented by death.
A young physician, a graduate of Glasgow University, had come to Utica. This young doctor induced Dr. Burke to resume his medi- cal practice. The active work was to de- volve upon the young doctor, whilst the elder doctor was to be the consulting phyhician. A few days after resuming his medical practice, as Dr. Burke was returning home from his office, he had a second stroke of paralysis which deprived him of the use of his sight. His active career was at an end. He peace- fully departed this life on November 24th, 1868. His funeral took place in St. John's Church, Utica, and Bishop Conroy celebrated the mass, which was the first pontifical mass celebrated in St. John's Church. There were forty priests present in the sanctuary. Lauda- tory obituaries were written by all the Utica papers. The Utica Observer especially pub- lished one of the most beautiful panegyrics that ever appeared in that most excellent jour- nal. Bishop Burke lost his mother by death when he was one year old.
The Bishop received his early education un- der the direction of his father, in his own home. When the Academy of the Assumption in Utica was opened for the reception of pu- pils, he was among the very first to be enrolled amongst the scholars. He remained but one year in the Brothers' Academy. Young Burke at an early age conceived an ardent desire of consecrating himself to the holy priesthood. To carry out his design, he entered, in 1855, St. Michael's College, Toronto, Canada, and began his study of the classics. The confine-
ment of the college and the climate of Toron- to so impaired the health of young Burke, that after five months he was compelled, though most reluctantly, to return home. During the eight months which he remained at home he continued the study of Latin under the direc- tion of his father. In September, 1856, young Burke entered St. Charles College, Ellicott City, Maryland. St. Charles College, named after the revered Charles Carroll, the signer of the Declaration of Independence, was founded in his honor by the Carroll family. The president of St. Charles College was Rev. Oliver Jenkins, a member of the Jen- kins family of Baltimore. Father Jenkins had been a banker, but he renounced his position and all worldly honors to join the Society of St. Sulpice. A more worthy and learned priest than Father Jenkins could hardly be found. St. Charles College counted among its students, when young Burke entered, Mr. James Gibbons, now Cardinal Archbishop of Baltimore; Mr. John J. Keane, the present Archbishop of Dubuque: Mr. John J. Kain, the late Archbishop of St. Louis, and several other distinguished ecclesiastics. Bishop Burke was in Maryland when John Brown made his famous raid on Harper's Ferry. He was, however, at his home in Utica when John Brown was executed. He has always main- tained that the attack on Harper's Ferry was the first battle of the Civil War. The ex- citement in the North was intense, violent language was uttered, and agitators and dem- agogues delivered fiery speeches. The people in the South became alarmed, and in many places military companies were formed, which, when the war broke out, entered the Confed- erate army.
Young Burke graduated with the highest honors from St. Charles College in June, 1860. It was arranged that he should enter upon his philosophical and theological studies in the American College, Rome, but owing to the death of his eldest brother, John Ulic Burke, of Utica, and also to the political agitation at that time in Italy, he abandoned his in- tention of going to Europe, and returned to St. Charles College. During the year which he spent in the college, he taught Latin, Eng- lish, and other branches, and at the same time, under the direction of one of the pro- fessors, he devoted himself to the study of logic and philosophy. The following year he entered St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, where he began the study of theology. After entering the seminary he was appointed mas- ter of conference of philosophy, and during the two subsequent years he occupied the position of master of conference of theology.
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At the end of his three-years' course in St. . Mary's he received the degrees of Master of Arts and Bachelor of Divinity. Having completed his studies, he was ordained to the holy priesthood in the seminary chapel on June 30th, 1864, by the Rt. Rev. Francis P. MeFarland, Bishop of Hartford, who had for- merly been his pastor in St. John's Church, Utica, New York. Up to the day of Bishop McFarland's death the warmest friendship existed between him and Father Burke.
The late Cardinal MeCloskey had about this time been nominated by the Holy See as the successor of the great Archbishop Hughes. He had not as yet taken possession of his new see, and he continued to reside at the episcopal residence on Madison avenue, Albany, N. Y. His Grace received the young priest with his usual kindness and invited him to be his guest. Father Burke had from his early youth been personally acquainted with Cardinal MeClos- key, for whom he cherishes to this day a warm and affectionate recollection, and whom he justly regards as one of the most amiable, eloquent and pious prelates that ever adorned the Church in America.
Father Burke's first appointment was assis- tant in St. John's Church, Albany. He re- mained in St. John's only seven months, af- ter which he was transferred to St. Joseph's Church, Albany, of which Very Rev. John Joseph Conroy was then the pastor. During the interregnum that followed the departure of Archbishop McCloskey, the administration of the diocese devolved upon Vicar-General Conroy. Bishop Conroy was appointed suc- cessor to Bishop MeCloskey, and he was sol- emnly consecrated in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Albany, on Sunday, August 15th, 1865. For several years after his consecration, Bishop Conroy retained the pastorship of St. Joseph's Church.
Father Burke, by reason of his intimate re- lations with the bishop, was frequently deputed to perform episcopal functions, such as lay- ing corner-stones, blessing churches, etc. The bishop also frequently consulted him in im- portant matters referring to the administra- tion of the diocese. Before his appointment as pastor of St. Joseph's Church by Bishop MeNeirney in 1874, Father Burke had erected St. Joseph's School for boys, at a cost of forty- two thousand dollars. School No. 15 was the first of the large public schools erected in Albany. St. Joseph's Boys' School was the second large school. The erection of these two schools gave the impetus to school build- ing, which has resulted in the erection of so many costly and magnificent school buildings which now adorn our city.
St. Joseph's parish embraced within its bounds all the section of the city lying North of Orange street, and also North and West Albany. Immediately after his appointment as pastor of St. Joseph's, Father Burke re- quested Bishop McNeirney to establish a new parish in North Albany, to be named the par- ish of the Sacred Heart. The Bishop granted his request, and at his suggestion he consti- tuted Rev. Francis J. Maguire the first pastor of the new parish. Under the zealous admin- istration of Father Maguire the new parish flourished, and the present beautiful church and fine parochial residence were erected. Some years later Father Burke ceded West Albany to St. Patrick's parish. West Albany afterwards became a separate parish. The Rev. James Peyton became the first pastor, and he erected St. Francis de Sales Church, a pa- rochial residence, and a commodious hall. All these buildings were destroyed by fire. The present new brick church and elegant parish house were built by the present pastor, Rev. P. F. Scully.
Father Burke took a special interest in the young men of his parish. He assumed charge of the Young Men's Sodality immediately upon his appointment by Bishop Conroy, and he retained his office of spiritual director of the Sodality until the day he left St. Joseph's to take up his abode in the episcopal residence. He conducted many spiritual retreats both for the young men and young ladies. His last retreat was for married women, at which more than twelve hundred were present.
Although as a rule the pastor of St. Joseph's confined himself strictly to parochial duties, yet he took an active part in urging the con- struction of the Hawk street viaduct. On sev- eral occasions he spoke in favor of the pro- ject before the legislative committees. The bill permitting the city to issue bonds for the construction of the bridge was finally passed, but after a long and arduous struggle. As but a few days intervened between the passage of the bill and the adjournment of the legisla- ture, the signature of the governor was re- quisite before it could become a law. At the request of several citizens on Arbor Hill, the bishop called upon Governor Hill and ex- plained to him the necessity of the proposed viaduct, and persuaded the Governor to make a personal examination of the ravine, so that he might judge for himself of the reason- ableness of the demand of the citizens resid- ing north of Clinton avenue. The governor signed the bill, and the event was celebrated by fireworks and the booming of cannon. The victory was not, however, as yet won. The bill was subject to the mayor's signature. A
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meeting was held in the City Hall. Speeches pro and con were delivered. When Father Burke was called upon he made a forcible speech in favor of the viaduct. Among other things he said: "It has been asserted here, that only the nabobs of Fort Orange will walk over this bridge. It is indeed, true, that the members of the Fort Orange Club will use this bridge. It is false, however, that the nabobs of Fort Orange Club will be the only ones who will enjoy this structure: on the very contrary, when this bridge shall have been completed, you will see it black with working men going with their dinner pails to their work; you will see crowds of children going to the schools and academies, and you will see hundreds of citizens from the north- ern part of the city going to their offices and places of business. When the bridge shall have been built, should any one be so rash as to demand its removal, he would incur the indignation of the people of Albany." The result has fully verified the prediction.
During the incumbency of Father Burke. St. Joseph's Church was twice struck by light- ning, which each time shattered one of the western towers; and did considerable injury to the structure itself. The damage, how- · ever, was quickly repaired. The water table, the windows and ornamental trimmings of St. Joseph's were made from Caen stone imported from France, which owing to the severity of the climate had considerably dis- integrated and the exterior of the church pre- sented a rather dilapidated appearance. The ·decaying stone was removed and replaced by Ohio sandstone, which was greatly improved the appearance of the building. Another im- provement which added greatly to the beauty of the church and its surroundings, was the laying out of St. Joseph's Park and the open- ing and grading of St. Joseph's Terrace. The erection of the new parochial residence and .other fine houses makes St. Joseph's Terrace .one of the most desirable localities in the city.
When Vicar-General Ludden was nomina- ted Bishop of Syracuse, Bishop McNeirney appointed Father Burke his successor in vica- riate. The new Vicar-General was, by apos- tolic authority, June, 1890, created a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre, and in June, 1894, he was elevated to the dignity of Commander of the Grand Cross of Jerusalem. The knight- hood of the Holy Sepulchre is among the old- est orders of knighthood, and it is recog- nized by every court of Europe. Had this honor been conferred by any crowned head, Bishop Burke would have declined to receive it, but, as it was conferred by apostolic au- thority, he did not for a moment consider that
it would in any manner conflict with his strict- est loyalty to his American citizenship. Father Burke filled the office of vicar-general during seven years. Bishop McNeirney's health towards the end of his life was quite delicate, hence he went from time to time to the baths in Germany, and during his absence the ad- ministration of the diocese was committed to the vicar-general. The vicar did all in his power to lighten the burdens of the bishop, who on his part frequently and openly ex- pressed the hope that Father Burke would be his successor in the episcopal office. The in- cumbency of Father Burke in St. Joseph's parish extended over the long period of thirty years less two months. Upon the death of Bishop McNeirney, January 2nd, 1894, Father Burke was appointed by the late Archbishop Corrigan administrator of the diocese, sede vacante. The appointment was afterwards ratified by the Holy See.
After the funeral of Bishop McNeirney. Archbishop Corrigan called a meeting of the Diocesan Consulters and the Irremovable Rec- tors, for the purpose of nominating a suc- cessor to the deceased prelate. As the result of the ballots taken during this meeting, the names of the Rev. Thomas M. A. Burke, the Rev. John F. Reilly, and the Very Rev. James McDermott, were announced as the choice of the priests. These names were subsequently presented to the bishops of the province, whose duty was to consider the merits of the respective nominees. The bishops had author- ity also to send to the Sovereign Pontiff other names approved by themselves. On May IIth, 1894, Father Burke received from a friend in Rome a cablegram with these two words, "Salvc Episcope." It was only, how- ever. on May 18th, that in public consistory. the Holy Father announced the elevation of Rev. Thomas M. A. Burke to the Episcopal See of Albany. As soon as the nomination was made known through the Associated Press, cablegrams from Europe and telegrams from archbishops, bishops, priests and laity from every part of the United States, poured in, offering him their warmest congratula- tions. These congratulations were by no means confined to Catholics, but what was particularly gratifying, many were also re- ceived from non-Catholics of all religious de- nominations. On the first of July, 1894, Bishop-elect Burke was consecrated the fourth Bishop of Albany, with all the splendor and ceremonial of the Catholic church. The day was exceedingly hot. nevertheless the streets were filled with people, and joy seemed to pervade all hearts. The ceremonies. the mu- sic and the glorious spectacle presented in the
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Cathedral, were most beautifully described in the morning and evening journals.
The aim of Bishop Burke was to keep up and perfect the good work of his predeces- sors-Bishop McClosky, Bishop Conroy, and Bishop McNeirney. He began at once to make the visitation of the diocese, which had been interrupted by the death of Bishop Mc- Neirney. Since his consecration he has made six visitations of the diocese. In these visi- tations he has carefully examined into the spiritual and material condition of each con- gregation, and has administered the sacra- ment of confirmation to over fifty thousand children and adults.
One of Bishop Burke's first objects was to have all the churches in the diocese incorpor- ated under the special state law for the incor- poration of Catholic churches. In this work he was most efficiently aided by his chancel- lor, Rev. C. J. Shea. There are at present one hundred and twenty-one churches with resident rectors. and fifty-two mission churches. The Bishop is the ex officio presi- dent of all these churches. As he must pre- side at all important meetings of all these corporations, it can be easily conceived how much labor this duty alone necessitates.
Under Bishop McNeirney the new sanc- tuary had been added to the Cathedral, which had been blessed but not consecrated. A church cannot be consecrated until it is free from debt. The Rev. Father McGuire, the rector of the Cathedral, undertook to collect a sufficient sum to cancel the debt. He was ably assisted by his zealous assistants, Rev. M. L. Walsh and Rev. John J. Lynch. Af- ter an appeal to the congregation, a domicil- iary visit was made, and members of the congregation responded so generously that within a comparatively brief period the whole debt was liquidated.
During the youth of Bishop Burke, a col- lection was taken up in St. John's Church, Uti- ca, for the south transept window in the Catlı- edral. Some one had given him a present of a sum of money. This money young Burke contributed towards the purchasing of the window. Shortly after his consecration, Bishop Burke gave an order to Messrs. Hard- man & Company, of London and Birmingham, to replace the original window with the pres- ent magnificent one. When the late Father Purbrick, S. J., saw the window, he declared that it was one of the most beautiful of mod- ern times. The Bishop also donated to the Cathedral the present Stations of the Cross and the Sanctuary lamp. All the original win- dows of the Cathedral. which were quite plain, werc afterwards, through the generosity
of various societies and individuals, replaceď by most beautiful stained glass pictorial win- dows manufactured by the celebrated firm of Hardman & Company. The exterior of the- Cathedral was also newly faced; the interior was newly frescoed; so that on the day of the consecration the building was practically a new edifice.
There are many larger churches, there are many more costly, there are many more elab- orately decorated, but, in the judgment of many, there is not in America a single eccles- iastical structure which more forcibly excites the idea of beauty in the mind. The Cathedral" had been blessed and opened on November 2Ist, 1852. The ceremony of the solemn. dedication and consecration took place on No- vember 16th, 1902. The memory of the con- secration will never be forgotten by those who enjoyed the privilege of being present at the ceremony. "On Sunday, the sixteenth," said the Argus, on the following morning, "with. beauty of ceremonial that left nothing to be desired, and a wealth of melody that soothed and delighted, and a distinguished array of prelates and clergy of the church, supplemen- ted with an immense congregation represent- ing Albany and the state, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was made God's own, by the unction and prayer of consecration, and the Golden Jubilee celebrated."
In the year 1871 Bishop Burke made his first visit to Rome. He enjoyed the privi- lege of seeing and conversing with Pius IX, the then reigning Pontiff. On his way to. Rome he revisited Paris, which had just passed through the siege by the Germans, and the awful, but fortunately short reign of the Commune. When the Bishop arrived at the station in Paris he was obliged to wait an hour to find a conveyance to take him to the hotel. All the horses had been eaten dur- ing the siege, and there was scarcely a cab in Paris. The most beautiful buildings and monuments were in ruins, and the loneliness and the silence of death seemed to pervade the . boulevards and the streets. When the Bishop returned to Paris in 1889, he found everything changed. The streets were again crowded, the damage caused by the war and the Com- mune was in a great measure repaired, and the city had once more assumed its wonted life and gaiety which make it the most beau- tiful and interesting city in the world.
Besides making a tour through Italy and France, the Bishop visited Switzerland, Ger- many, England, Ireland and Scotland. Again in the year 1889, he went to Rome, and had the pleasure of meeting for the first time. one . of the most remarkable Pontiffs that have .
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adorned the history of the Church, Leo XIII. He had the pleasure of assisting at the Pope's Mass, and afterward enjoyed a very pleasing conversation with his Holiness. Leaving Rome, he proceeded to Egypt. In Alexan- dria he saw the ruins caused by the bombard- ment by the English and the French a few years previously. He found Cairo a most in- teresting city, for there for the first time he came in contact with Eastern civilization. Leaving Cairo he crossed the Lybian desert to Ismalia, and visited the residence which de Lesseps built for himself after he had com- pleted the Suez canal. From Ismalia he sailed through the Suez canal to Port Said, and from there he sailed on a Russian steamer to Jaffa, whence he went by carriage to Jerusalem. The railroad at present running from Jaffa to Jerusalem had not yet been constructed. The road passes through the plains of Sha- ron, rendered famous by the feats of Samson, and also through the plain of Ajalon, where the sun stood still at the prayer of Josue. After passing over the brook from which Da- vid took the limped stone with which he slew Goliath, and by the ruins of the castle of the brave and patriotic Maccabees, the travelers arrived in sight of the Holy City. All alighted, and all with uncovered heads saluted that city which Christ had so often sanctified by His presence and consecrated by His death upon the cross.
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