Since the 27th of February, 1917, Dr. William P. Burke has occupied an attractive resi-dence at No. 464 Dixwell avenue, which he erected, and there he also maintains his office. He was born at Roxbury, Connecticut, February 25, 1868. a son of Patrick and Ann (Cox) Burke, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father was born in County Tipperary and came to America in 1861, first settling in Connecticut, while later he removed to the state of New York. At a subsequent period he returned to Connecticut, following the close of the Civil war, and remained in this state until April 7, 1868, when he went with his family to Chicago, where he resided until after the great fire of October, 1871, in which he lost everything. He then returned to Torrington, Connecticut, where he remained until his death and was quite successful in his business undertakings, being a brass worker. He was born in 1827 and had therefore reached the age of fifty-three years when death called him in 1880. His wife was born in the city and county of Longford, Ireland, in 1828 and came alone to America when a young lady of sixteen summers. She went first to New York city and afterward removed to Bridgewater, Connecticut, where she was married. She became the mother of five children, but with the exception of Dr. Burke all have passed away, the other four children dying before reaching the age of a year. All were born on the 25th of the month and there were thirteen months between the dates of birth. The mother passed away January 25, 1894, in New Haven, at the age of sixty-six years.
     Dr. Burke was educated in the public and high schools of Torrington and of New Haven and following his graduation from high school with the clpleted by graduation with the class of 1890, the degree of M. D. being at that time conferred upon him. Following his graduation he was an interne in the Springside Farm Hospital of New Haven for one year. He then entered upon the private practice of medicine at Danbury, where he continued for a year, at the end of which time he removed to Newtown, Connecticut, where he remained in practice until March 1, 1893, after which he opened an office in New Haven, where he has since been engaged in practice. He is very conscientious in the performance of his professional duties and his ability has been demonstrated in the successful conduct of many important and difficult cases. He belongs to the New Haven County and Connecticut State Medical Societies and to the American Medical Association and through the proceedings of those societies keeps in close touch with the trend of modern professional thought.
     On the 26th of October, 1897, in New Haven, Dr. Burke was married in St. Patrick's church by the Rev. John Russell to Miss Catherine J. Cannon, a native of New Haven and a daughter of Michael and Ellen (Reynolds) Cannon, both of whom were of Irish birth and have now passed away. To Dr. and Mrs. Burke have been born nine children, seven of whom are living: William Reynolds, born July 21, 1898; Anna Loretta, February 3. 1900; Francis Andrew, January 18, 1902; Ellen Florence and Thomas Edwin, twins, born February 17, 1904, but the son died July 4, 1904; Mildred Rose, born April 29, 1905; Joseph Edmond, September 30, 1907; Veronica Mary, May 10, 1910; and Vincent Aloysius, who was born April 20, 1915, and died February 14, 1916. All were born in New Haven.
     Dr. Burke has membership in twenty-seven different fraternal and secret organizations. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church, while in polities he maintains an independent course and has never sought or desired office. He is truly a self-made man. His education was acquired as the result of means which he provided. In his youth he worked during summer vacations, and saving his earnings, was thus able to meet the expenses of his college course. Laudable ambition prompted him at every step in his career and he never lost sight of his ultimate purpose. Determination, energy and courage have been salient points in his life record and have constituted the qualities which have carried him forward to success.