Michael J Bourke

Taken from Hayden's Genealogy of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys ¹

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Michael J Bourke, one of the leading business men of Dunmore, was born 17 Mar 1847 in Killala, the oldest seaport town in county Mayo, Ireland, and was the only child of Walter J and Catherine (Dimond) Bourke, both natives of Ireland, who spent their lives and died in that country.

Mr Bourke learned the tailor's trade, and in 1858 went to England, where for twenty years he was engaged in business. In 1878 he emigrated to the United States, and July 16 of that year arrived in Dunmore, where he has since resided and prospered in business. During this time he has built three houses, two in the third and one in the sixth ward. Both as a business man and a citizen he is extremely popular, his genial temper and courteous demeanor securing for him hosts of friends. He belongs to the Heptasophs and is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. In 1858 Mr Bourke married Winifred O'Donnell, a native of Ireland, and the following children have been born to them:

1. John F, deceased 1900, married Frankie Coon, and they have children as follows: May, married and has a daughter; Winifred; Walter, deceased; Lizzie, Ellen, Loretta, Hattie and Fredericka.
2. Mary Ann, marries Ralph Harwood , a florist of Dunmore, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work.
3. Kate, married John Lynch, a miner; they reside in Dunmore and have the following children: Joseph, Walter, deceased; Mary, Milton.
4. Hannah, married John Gerity; he is a miner; they have the following children: Mary, Euphrosyne, Winifred.
5. Michael, a tailor by occupation, married Margaret O'Hara, and their children are: Thomas, deceased; Frank, Ray, Helen, Margaret and May. They reside in Scranton.
6. Thomas, who died in childhood.
7. Thomas (2), a tailor by trade, of Carbondale, married Mame Leonard, and they have three children, namely: Leonard, Thomas and John.
8. Winifred, deceased.
9. Catherine.

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Notes

1. Hayden, Rev Horace Edwin, editor, Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania , Vol I & II, New York: The Lewis publishing company, 1906, p II-623.