Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
Lewis Burk
Lewis Burk was born near Lexington, Ky., March 23, 1799. He removed early to this state with his father, who settled about a mile and a half south from where Richmond now is. He worked on the farm a few years, and went back to Kentucky to learn the blacksmith's trade, and returned after three years. His trade not furnishing him constant employment, he took up that of stone-mason, working alternately at each. He received in those days of low wges only $8 a month as a journey man blacksmith, and 50 cents a day for laying stone, where, in later days he received $2.50 a day at his regular trade. In 1831, he built, and for several years kept, the tavernhouse which he sold to that late Daniel D. Sloan, at present the poperty of A.M. Miller, on Main street. From about the year 1832, he was for about ten years a stage proprietor, and for several years a dealer in hourses. In 1840, he was elected a representative to the legilature, and afterward to the senate. In 1852, he commenced the banking business as an individual banker. He continued this business until after the passage of the national banking law, when he sold his banking house and appurtenances to James E. Reeves. Mr. Burk was married to Maria Moffitt, November 27, 1823. They had five children, of whom only one, Mary Jane, lived beyond the period of childhood. She is the wife of Isaac H. Richards, merchant, now resideing at Springfield, Missouri.
Source:
"History of Wayne County, Indiana" by Andrew W. Young. pub 1872.