Henry Burk

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Henry Burk (born September 26, 1850-December 5, 1903) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.

Henry Burk was born in Wurttemberg, Germany. He immigrated to the United States in 1854 with his parents, who settled in Philadelphia, PA. He became a repairer of shoemaking machinery and subsequently engaged in supplying this machinery to the trade. He was engaged in the manufacture of leather and in 1887 invented the alum and sumac process, which revolutionized the industry. The company he founded with his two brothers Alfred E. Burk and Charles D. Burk, Burk Brothers and Company, is now listed as a Registered Historic Place. He became president of the Manufacturers’ National Association in 1895. He was elected in 1901 as a Republican to the 57th Congress and served from March 4, 1901, until his death in Philadelphia.

Boer War

During the time that Burk served in Congress, the Boer War was raging in South Africa. Burk supported the Boers agains the British. However, the United States sold the British preserved meat and hay, as well as mules and other supplies. Burk "moved in the House that mules, remounts, and other supplies be declared contraband", but by this time the war was practically over. [link] American Heritage

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