Burke, Ulic J.

Submitted by Mike Miller

Ulic J. Burke, prominent criminal attorney of New Orleans, where he has practiced law for the last ten years, with offices at 320 St. Charles Avenue, is a self-made man, and in early manhood was an electrical worker. For many years he has been a leaderin the First Ward democratic politics. He is a nephew of Patrick Mealey, and old-tune leader in the First Ward, who was killed during the Nichols-McEnery election of 1884.

Ulic J. Burke was born in the First Ward of New Orleans, December 23, 1869, son of David and Ellen (Mealey) Burke, both natives of Ireland, where they were married, the father born in County Tipperary and the mother in County Galway. Ulic J. Burke was only three years of age when left an orphan by the death of his parents, and from the age of fifteen, after the death of his uncle, Patrick Mealey, was thrown entirely on his own resources. As a boy he attended the Jesuit College, and subsequently took a course in Soule College. He worked as a laborer in a foundry; was weigher in a rice mill, was in the service of the Texas & Pacific Railway as a longshoreman, and at the age of nineteen went to work for the Louisiana Electric Light Company, later being promoted to engineer at forty-five dollars a month for a twelve-hour day. Subsequently he was put in charge of the incandescent light department at ninety dollars a month, but at the age of twenty-two resigned to enter the service of the West End Machine Shop. When he was twenty-four he became battery man at the city hall, and subsequently was sugar weigher for the United States government.He left that position to become the operator of a steam roller for an asphalt paving concern and after a year was made foreman and continued four years. His next employment was as steam pipe setter with the American Sugar Refining Company, and subsequently he was foreman of the mechanical electrical and excavation department of the National Contracting Company, the concern that built the first units of the present city drainage system. He was employed as expert and first assistant city electrician in the city fire alarm office, where the city's lighting system was under his supervision. In this capacity he effected a saving of many thousands of dollars to the city.

While in this position Mr. Burke took up the study of law in Tulane University, but discontinued it when appointed superintendent of the New Basin Canal and Shell Road by Governor Hall. In 1913 he resumed his law studies at Tulane University, and in May, 1914, also graduated from the Ferrell Preparatory School, which in June of thatyear took his law degree from Tulane University. Mr. Burke in 1915 resigned his position with the Basin Canal and Shell Road to engage in law practice. For several years his practice has been entirely on the criminal side of the docket, and he is regarded as one of the ablest and most resourceful criminal lawyers in the city.

He has been three times married, his first two wives dying without children. In 1905 he married Gertrude E. Ells. They have a daughter, Gertrude Elizabeth, now attending the Holy Name Convent. Mr. Burke is a Catholic, and a member of the Elks, Druids, Eagles and Moose. He is a member of the Louisiana Bar Association and the Choctaw Club.

A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p.374 , by Henry E. Chambers. Published by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.