Henry BURK, Congress, PA (1850-1903)

BURK Henry , a Representative from Pennsylvania; born in Wurttemberg, Germany, September 26, 1850; immigrated to the United States in 1854 with his parents, who settled in Philadelphia, Pa.; attended the public schools about three years; became a repairer of shoemaking machinery and subsequently engaged in supplying this machinery to the trade; engaged in the manufacture of leather and in 1887 invented the alum and sumac process, which revolutionized the industry; president of the Manufacturers' National Association in 1895; elected as a Republican to the Fifty-seventh and Fifty-eighth Congresses and served from March 4, 1901, until his death in Philadelphia, Pa., December 5, 1903; interment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

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