RICHARD BURK. The subject of this sketch is one of Leonardville's most thorough and popular business men. He was born in Ulm, Wurtemburg, Germany, Jan. 30, 1840, and is a son of Carl and Charlotte (Bardilej Burk, both of whom were likewise natives of the Fatherland. They were the parents of seven children, named respectively: Carl, Matilda, Paulina, Charlotte, Emil, Richard and Rudolph. A fatal illness carried off both parents while our subject was yet in his childhood, and he was reared by relatives who did their best to supply the place of his natural guardians. He was sent regularly to the best schools of the town and secured a practical education. He was a bright and attentive pupil, and made good use of his opportunities, while at the same time making friends among his schoolmates and being a general favorite with his teachers.

While yet young, Mr. Burk was placed in a mercantile house and received a thorough training in the business of general merchandising. As a clerk he was faithful to his employers' interests, and his fidelity was rewarded with their implicit confidence and esteem. He was thoroughly trusted by them and continued to serve them in the capacity of a clerk for many years, subsequently engaging in the business of a commercial traveler, his route leading him through many places of interest in Germany. He followed the latter occupation until the year 1863, when he emigrated to America, and came directly to Riley County, Kan. Upon his arrival he bought land on Fancy Creek, and followed farming until 1871, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Winkler's Mills, in the same county. He remained there till 1883, in which year he removed to Leonardville and opened a store for the transaction of his business as a merchant. He is now one of the solid men of the place, and has accumulated the most of his present fortune since his arrival in America. Mr. Burk brought a small capital with him to this country and has turned it so often that it has grown out of all proportion to its original size. America has proven not only the land of the free and the home of the brave to him, but the land of fulfilled promises and the home of prosperity. Opportunities of making money are not wanting in this country, but the ability to successfully grapple with them is not always possessed in equal degree by those to whom they are presented. Our subject, however, was not one to let slip any legitimate chances that were given him of increasing his worldly possessions, hence he is today a comparatively rich man, and is able and willing to assist others less fortunately situated than himself.

Mr. Burk and his interesting family are active and efficient members of the Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Democrat, and assists to a moderate extent in the counsels of his party. On Sept. 15, 1863, he was married to one of Germany's fairest and most worthy daughters. Miss Wilhelmena Gugenhan, who like her husband is a native of Ulm, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Burk have had eight children born unto them, and named respectively. Emil, Eugene, Mollie, Rudolph, Amanda, Emma, Louis and Helena. Mr. Burk is one of the oldest settlers of Riley County, and stands deservedly high in the estimation of all who know him. He is not only one of the leading merchants of Leonardville, but, with his family, occupies a prominent place in the social circles of the town. On another page will be found the pictured features of Mr. Burk. as one of the representative business men of Riley county.