|
biography
|
|
Burleigh, Thomas D., now living in retirement at 227 Oakland Avenue, Pittsburg,
after a long and active business career, was born January 10, 1825, in Wakefield, N.H., son of Jonathan Burleigh, Jr. Jonathan Burleigh, Sr., the paternal grandfather of Thomas D.,
was a pioneer farmer of Wakefield. The father, who was born in Wakefield in 1790, followed the sea for some years in his early life. Thereafter he was successfully engaged in
general farming in his native town until his death in 1862. He was twice married. After the death of his first wife, whose maiden name was Miss Charlotte Wyatt, he married Miss Lydia Copp,
daughter of William Copp, one of the foremost farmers of Tuftonboro N.H., and a man of considerable wealth for those days. She was born December 16, 1798, and died March 2, 1881.
She had seven children, born as follows: Elizabeth, January 11, 1822; William C., July 28, 1823; Thomas D., January 10, 1825; Belinda E., July 25, 1827; Charlotte A., January 17, 1829; Mary A., October 6, 1832;
and Ellen R., June 13, 1836. Both parents were members of the Baptist church. The father was a soldier in the War of 1812.
Thomas D. Burleigh was educated in the district schools of Wakefield . He remained on the homestead until twenty-five years old, when he went to Boston , where he served an apprenticeship at
spike-making, which he afterward made his business. He remained for five years as foreman of the shop in which he learned his trade. Then he went to Richmond, Va., where he was successfully engaged
in the same employment until the early part of 1861. He was visiting old friends in New Hampshire at the outbreaking of the late Rebellion. Instead of returning to Richmond, he spent the following year
in his native town. In 1862 Mr. Burleigh accepted a situation with the firm of Dilworth, Porter & Co., of Pittsburg , and remained with them until January 1, 1889, as superintendent of their factory, a most responsible
position, having a large number of men under him. Then, leaving his home on Carson Street , he went to East St. Louis, Ill., being there employed in the same capacity and the same business by T. A. Meisenberg & Co.
until two or three years after the big flood of 1892. On January 1, 1895, Mr. Burleigh returned to Pittsburg, and, buying his present large brick house, has since resided here, being one of its most respected citizens.
In politics he affiliates with the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant to official honors.
On February 27, 1853, Mr. Burleigh married Miss Mary L. Cook, who was born January 4, 1828, in Friendship, Me., and died January 19, 1893, in Pittsburg. She was a woman of most estimable character,
beloved by all, and a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Burleigh is a regular attendant and a liberal supporter. Their children were: Clarence, Willie T., and Minnie M. Minnie,
who was born May 12, 1870, is a hospitable housekeeper for her father. Clarence, born December 20, 1853, is a talented member of the legal profession, and has recently been elected City Attorney of Pittsburg.
Prior to this, for four and one-half years he was District Attorney, in which capacity he tried the Homestead riot cases. Willie, born September 22, 1862, is now a well-known physician of the South Side.
He married Miss Selma S. Sorg, and they have two children — Lorna and Thomas D.—the latter being named for his grandfather.
Biographical review: containing life sketches of leading citizens of Pittsburg and the vicinity, Pennsylvania. Boston: Biographical Review Pub. Co., 1897, Author: Anonymous.
|