Edmund BURKE, Congress, NH (1809-1882)

BURKE, Edmund, a Representative from New Hampshire; born in Westminster, Vt., January 23, 1809; attended the public schools; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1826 and commenced practice in Colebrook, N.H.; moved to Claremont, N.H., in 1833 and assumed editorial management of the New Hampshire Argus; moved to Newport in 1834 and united the Argus with the Spectator of that place, continuing as editor for several years; commissioned as adjutant in the State militia in 1837 and as brigade inspector in 1838; elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-sixth, Twenty-seventh, and Twenty-eighth Congresses (March 4, 1839-March 3, 1845); was not a candidate for renomination in 1844; appointed Commissioner of Patents by President Polk and served from May 5, 1846, to September 3, 1850; resumed the practice of law in Newport, N.H.; delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1844 and 1852; delegate to the Democratic State convention in 1867, and served as presiding officer; member of the State board of agriculture in 1871; died in Newport, Sullivan County, N.H., January 25, 1882; interment in Maple Grove Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present