Born in the 1790s in England or the United States, Colonel John R. Burke founded the town of Burkeville, Newton County, Texas, in 1844.
Before that time, he acquired considerable wealth, possibly in Tennessee or Georgia, and befriended both Andrew Jackson and Sam Houston, perhaps while in military service. In his new town, Burke served as a school trustee and a postmaster. He also represented Newton County in the Texas Legislature from 1853 to 1855. Although the nature of their relationship is unclear, Burke and Mary W. Burke donated land for Burkeville's Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he was the first buried in the Church's cemetery upon his death in 1855.
From the description of Burke, John R., papers, 1828, 1832, 1851 (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 775349901
