SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

William H. Burk, Page 653

WILLIAM H. BURK, editor of the Sheboygan Evening Telegram, and a part-owner of the Telegram Printing Company, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., May 19, 1848, and is a son of John and Catherine Burk.  His father was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother in Germany.  The latter came with her parents, in childhood, to the United States.

    William, the subject of this sketch, came with his parents to Sheboygan in 1856, when but eight years of age.  His father is a carpenter contractor, having resided continuously in the Chair City since the date of his first arrival.

    Our subject was educated in the Sheboygan schools, beginning for himself as a book-keeper, at which occupation he was employed for two years, 1868-69, in Duluth, and five years in Chicago, from 1875 to 1880.  In 1881 he engaged in the manufacturing of woodwork, in company with C. E. Burk, under the firm name of W. H. & C. E. Burk, continuing in that line for eight years.  For two years he was in the service of the City Water Company of Sheboygan, after which he engaged in his present business.

    The Daily Telegram was founded in September, 1887, by R. W. Billett, who subsequently organized the Telegram Publishing Company.  In July of 1891, the paper became the property of the present proprietors, William H. Burk and William Bornefeldt.  The paper is a six-column folio, and Republican in politics.  The office is well appointed for plain and fancy job work.

    Socially, Mr. Burk is a Knight of Pythias, being a member of Sheboygan Lodge No. 81.  He has made the Telegram a readable and newsy paper, and an effective exponent of Republican principles.