The following stampless letter was written by Oscar Martin Burke (1824-1902) and his new bride, Martha Caroline Meech (1824-1902). They were married on 23 June 1847 in Newburgh, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and we learn from this letter that they soon after made the journey to Oscar’s farm near the village of Libertyville in Lake county, Illinois—approximately 37 miles from Chicago. The route from Cleveland to Libertyville was made by a direct journey across the upper Great Lakes, consisting of sailing or steaming west across Lake Erie, passing through the Strait of Mackinac into Lake Michigan and then traveling south along the western shore. Although the couple called the village “new,” it had already passed through several name changes prior to their arrival. It was first settled around 1834–1835 as Vardin’s Grove. It was renamed Independence Grove in 1836 and Libertyville in 1837. In 1839, Libertyville was made the county seat and renamed Burlington until the county seat was moved to Little Fort (now Waukegan) in 1841. At that time, the Village reclaimed the name Libertyville.

Oscar was the son of Gaius Burke (1791-1865) and Sophia Taylor (1795-1859) of Cuyahoga county, Ohio. His wife Martha’s parents were Gurdon Parke Meech (1771-1854) and Lucy Swan (1781-1867). Martha—the youngest in her family—and her numerous older siblings were all born in Bozra, New London, Connecticut. Sometime in the 1830s they removed to Newburgh, Ohio. Closest in age to Martha was her brother Nelson Trace Meech (1821-1879) whom she wished to join her in Illinois but census records suggest he remained in Ohio all his life.

The Burke’s apparently remained in Illinois for a time despite Martha’s homesickness. In 1850 they were enumerated in Waukegan where Oscar was employed as a teacher. By 1860, however, they had returned to Cleveland, Ohio, where Oscar was employed as the Secretary & Treasurer of the Cleveland & Mahoning Railroad Company. An obituary informs us that when Oscar died in 1902, he had become one of Cleveland’s “most prominent” businessmen. After several years at the Railroad Company, he purchased the a foundry and built it into the Lake Shore Foundry Co. He then became one of the founders of the Dime Savings & Banking Co. his estate was estimated to amount to $500,000 (close to $20 Million today) at the time of his death.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Libertyville, Illinois
July 24th 1847

Dear Parents,

How to begin this letter or what to say, I scarcely know. But this much I do know, that if I write, I must commence and say something. In the first place I will give you a brief description of my journey.

We left Cleveland Wednesday afternoon about four o’clock. The Lake was quite rough and I was quite sea sick but not enough to vomit any. There were two Ladies from Buffalo that started from the Franklin House with us that were going to Chicago which I got considerable acquainted with which made it quite pleasant for me. After the first afternoon, the lake was perfectly smooth all the way and we had a very pleasant journey indeed.

We arrived at Detroit Thursday morning about six o’clock which is situated quite pleasantly. We remained here for about one hour. About 11 o’clock, we stopped on Canada side for wood and Oscar & myself, those two Ladies from Buffalo, and quite a number of other passengers went on shore and took quite a long walk so that we can say we have walked on Queen Victoria’s soil. After we had been on the Lake about 2 days, we came to a settlement of Indians where we saw them at work—some getting wood, and some were getting bark for the purpose of fixing their wigwams I suppose, which I assure you are singular looking things. The edge of the water was filled with bark canoes and the banks were covered with squaws and their children. Some had on their blankets and some were perfectly naked but they seemed to enjoy themselves very much. The children seemed to be amusing themselves with their bows and arrows while their mothers were looking on.

The next place of any account that we stopped at was Mackinaw. There is on this Island quite a number of curiosities. Among them is the Fort. The boat stopped here long enough to give the passengers time to take a stroll if they wished, which we improved. Oscar, myself, Mrs. Smith & sister from B[uffalo] went up to the Fort where we saw the guns and balls which were used in the last war. The place where the Fort is situated is very pleasant as you have a fine view of the Lake and it is kept so perfectly clean and nice—everything seems to be in such perfect order.

The next place that we called at was Sheboygan which is quite small. I saw James Kingsbury. He came on board the boat but I do not believe you would know him. I should not—he is altered so. I should think he was going down pretty fast. We arrived at Milwaukie Saturday evening which is the most business place for a new one on the Lake. We arrived at Racine in the night, at South Port also. Mrs. B. Doxstader and Mrs. J. Finegan came as far as Racine on the boat with us and they went it, I assure you. They went on shore at Milwaukee and the boat went off and left them but finally went back after them on account of Mrs. Finegan leaving her child on board.

We arrived at Little Fort [Waukegan] Sunday morning about 6 o’clock which is quite a pleasant place for a new one. There is a great many buildings being built but everything looks new. There is not many very splendid door yards as yet.

Sunday afternoon we went out to look at Oscar’s farm and on Monday we moved our goods out. We boarded at Mr Cook’s about a week and then went to keeping house or the house kept us. I think this is a very pleasant country for a new one. But I suppose you want to know if I have been homesick any and I assure you I have. Oscar went to Chicago and was gone two days and left me at Mr. Cook’s and Oh dear me, if you was ever homesick, you will know how to pity me. And if I was ever glad to see anybody, it was him when he got back. Mr. Cook’s family are very fine people but they were all strangers.

And now a word about my neighbors. I have one as near as Mr. Carter’s. Another as near as Mr. Kimal’s. In a word, they are near enough.

Monday evening. I had a call from Miss Paterson, my nearest neighbor, Tuesday evening. I had a cal from James S. Clark and Lady & Mrs. Swan, and yesterday one from Mrs. Harvey. I had an invitation to take tea at Mr. Cook’s yesterday but did not go. I have about made up my mind that this is not the place for me. Mrs. Swan & Mrs. Clark say we must make up our minds to stay here for they say the longer they stay, the better they like it, and well they might for they are all relation to one another. Perhaps if I had those which are near and dear to me but the ties of nature with me, I should like it better. This is a beautiful country but not home. If Nelson has any idea of ever going West, I want him to come here this fall and see this country. I think he will be well pleased with it as far as the couyntry is concerned. I am going to leave the rest for Oscar to say. Give my love to all and especially to P___ & Mich. Tell Desdamonia & Olive I want they should write and tell me all the news. From your daughter, — Martha

[in a different hand]

Dear parents, Martha has very kindly left a part of the for me to fill out. She has made you acquainted with our departure from Cleveland, our journey up the Lake, and of our arrival at our own home at which place we have been about a week. The country is a new one. Therefore our home at present is a new one but give it a few years improvement and it will exceed norther Ohio for beauty and scenery. But with all beauties of this country, it is not home. Martha has been homesick which makes it very unpleasant. We are well at present and have not heard of any sickness. The crops never looked better in any country than they do here this year. Illinois [paper torn]

We are both well at present, have heard of no sickness as yet. We have had some very warm weather but at present it is very cool. I hope we shall get a letter as soon as possible after you receive this. Remember me to all. Yours truly, — O. M. Burke

Mother, I want you to write to me. I would give more for a letter from you than I would for all Illinois. I want Nelson to write and tell me all the particulars about everything. Tell Father I should be glad to have him come in and take a smoke with me. I have thought of him and his large chair very often since I have been here. Give my love to all and more particular to Harriet and Lucy and tell them I should be very glad to see them. [I believe this margin note was added by Martha.]