Legislator Details
Number of sessions served 5
Gender: Male
Age at election: 41
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 11/6/1885
City: Calumet, MI
County: Houghton County, MI
Country: US
Death
Date:
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Type of Burial:
Burial
Date:
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Marital Information:
Married Tillie R. Kolz, dau. of William & Matilda (Peterson) Kolz, 6/27/1910; children: Leslie W., Eunice C., Stanley & Catherine (2 sons & 2 daughters). Tillie died 6/27/1937.
Number of Children: 4
Background
Religion: Methodist
Military Service:
Occupation: farmer, saleman
Race:
Education:
grammar schools of Calumet and L'Anse
Biographical Sketch:
Son of Andrew & Caroline (Haas) Birk of Germany. Moved to L'Anse from Calumet in 1890 following the death of his mother. Mayor of Baraga for 2 years. Chairman of the Co. Road Commission. Member of the Odd Fellows & the Maccabees. Servd on the Conservation Commission. Worked as a manufacturer's agent for 30 yrs. He also maintained 2 farms near Baraga.
According to House Resolution No. 27, 1950 House Journal, p. 336 he had died. No date or place of death given.
Notable Facts:
In the Legislature for 8 consecutive yrs.
Charged on 12/16/1944, with other legislators, with accepting bribes; tried in 1945 and convicted; sentenced to 3 to 5 years in prison. Died in 1950
In september primary he defeated the only women ever elected to the legislature November 2, 1926 and re-elected November 6, 1928, by a vote of 6,004 to 2,677 for John Hawley, and re-elected in 1930
Sessions Served:
Committees Served On: Apportionment , Conservation, Highways , Michigan State College
City of Residence: Baraga
County of Residence Baraga
District Description: Counties of Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Michigan State College
Committees Served On: Conservation, Michigan Employment Institution for the Blind , Northern State Teachers' College, Printing
City of Residence: Baraga
County of Residence Baraga
District Description: Counties of Baraga, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed
Notes: Chair of Northern State Teachers' College.
Committees Served On: Michigan Employment Institution for the Blind , Northern State Teachers' College, Printing , Roads and Bridges
County of Residence Ontonagon
Reason for Leaving Office:
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Notes: Chair of the Committee on the Northern State Teachers' College
Committees Served On: Michigan Employment Institution for the Blind , Northern State Teachers' College, Printing , Roads and Bridges
City of Residence: Baraga
County of Residence Ontonagon
District Description: Baraga, Keweenaw and Ontonagon Counties
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Committees Served On: Girls' Training School, Insurance , Roads and Bridges , Northern State Normal School
City of Residence: Baraga
County of Residence Ontonagon
District Description: Counties of Baraga, Keweenaw and Ontonagon
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Bibliography:
Lewis 5:287-8; Manual 1933 p.649; Manual 1941, p.662; PolGryd
Manual 1929, P. 685; Manual 1931, P. 656;
Manual 1927, p. 639;
