BURKE, FRANK S.
Frank S. Burke, senior member of the law firm of Burke, Kirlicks & Griggs, is the eldest living son of Andrew J. Burke, one of Houston's oldest residents, mention of whom will be found in another place in this work.
Frank S. Burke was born in Houston, on the 25th of March, 1848. His early education was obtained in the city schools, followed with a four years' course at Yale College, where he graduated with the degree of B. A., in the spring of 1871. For two years following the completion of his collegiate training he was engaged as traveling salesman for a New York hardware house, until the summer of 1873, when he returned to Houston and took up the study of law, preparatory to securing admission to the bar and entering on the practice at this place. But his mind was diverted from this purpose for a time by the prospects of business success in another direction, and for nine years he was engaged in the cotton commission business, first at Galveston and afterward at Houston. Having continued his law studies in the meantime, chiefly under the direction of the late Judge P. W. Gray, he was admitted to practice at the October term of the District Court at Houston in 1884. He formed a partnership at once with Judge Anson Jones and entered on the pursuit of his profession in his native city. His association with Judge Jones continued until the latter's death, in January, 1888. From that date he was alone until August, 1889, at which time he formed a partnership with John A. Kirlicks, under the firm name of Burke & Kirlicks, which was changed to Burke, Kirlicks & Griggs on the admission of George B. Griggs to a partnership in November, 1892. Mr. Burke has given his time solely to his profession since entering on it, mainly to civil practice, his industry and professional attainments having brought their reward in the shape of a steadily increasing business.
He was for two terms-from 1880 to 1884-County Commissioner of Harris county, but with the exception of this has never held any public office.
He is a Democrat in politics and takes a general interest in political matters. In fraternity work he has been somewhat more active. He assisted in organizing the first lodge of the Knights of Pythias in Texas, being not only a charter member of this but the first to receive the initiation rites. He is Past Grand Chancellor of the order in this State. He is also a member of Lone Star Lodge, No. 1, I. O. O. F., at Houston, of which he is Past Guard, and a member of Webb Encampment, No. 13, at Houston. Source: History of Texas Biographical History of the Cities of Houston and Galveston (1895)
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