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T. M. BURROW
VOL. 5, p. 1863, 1864

Among the well known officials of Dewey County, one who has won
standing because of ability and faithful service, and popularity by
reason of courtesy and fidelity, is T. M. Burrow, clerk of the
courts. Prior to his election to his present office, Mr. Burrow was
engaged in a variety of pursuits, although his energies were
principally devoted to educational work, and the ability which he
displayed in this direction was chiefly responsible for bringing him
forward as a desirable candidate for public service. During the three
years that he has served he has established an excellent record.

Mr. Burrow was born at Bardwell, Carlisle County, Kentucky, January
6, 1882, on a farm, and is a son of T.W. and Melinda (SHELBOURNE)
Burrow. On the paternal side he belongs to a family which settled in
North Carolina during colonial days having come from Scotland, while
on the maternal side he is also descended from Scotch ancestors, who
settled in New York before the Revolution. His father was born in
Lovelaceville, Ballard County, Kentucky, in 1847, and was reared,
educated and married there, following which he moved across the line
into Carlisle county and settled on a farm eight miles east of
Bardwell. There he continued to be engaged in farming and stock
raising during the remaining years of his active life, passing away
December 22, 1908.
A democrat in his political views, he took a keen, active and
intelligent interest in public affairs, and for six years was
supervisor of Carlisle County, being the incumbent of that office at
the time of his death. He was a strong supporter of the movements of
the Baptist Church, held a place on the official board for many
years, and led a consistent Christian life. His fraternal connections
were with the local lodges of the Masons and the Odd Fellows.

Mr. Burrow married Melinda Shelbourne, who was born in the State of
New York, in 1843, and who still survives her husband in comfortable
old age being a resident of Paducah, Kentucky, at her home located at
No. 821 Adams Street. T. W. and Melinda Burrow were the parents of
nine children, as follows: Wilmoth, who is the wife of C. W. Black, a
farmer and shipper of stock at Kevil, Kentucky; James, who is an
Illinois Central Railway engineer and resides at Paducah, Kentucky;
Cora, who is the wife of J. H. Peck, a railroad contractor of
Hickman, Kentucky; E. R., who died at Bardwell, Kentucky, aged thirty-
six years, as a salesman; Ira O., a farmer residing at Mayfield,
Kentucky; Ada, deceased, who married A. D. Lynn, a farmer of Dewey
County, Oklahoma; T. M., of this notice; Euphy, who is the wife of N.
A. Mabry, a rural mail carrier of Paducah, Kentucky; and A. W., who
died at Bardwell, Kentucky, at the age of sixteen years.

T. M. Burrow was reared on his father's farm until he was fourteen
years of age, and during his early boyhood he attended the district
schools of Carlisle County. In 1896 the family moved to Bardwell,
where he became a pupil in the public schools, and this training was
furthered by attendance at the state normal school, Bowling Green,
Kentucky, where he remained for two years, or until 1901. In that
year he began his business experience as clerk in a clothing store at
Fulton, Kentucky, but at the end of eight months became a fireman in
the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad. Mr. Burrow remained in
that position for about one year, when, acting upon his belief that
the West offered better opportunities for the display of his
abilities, he came to Rhea, Dewey County, Oklahoma, where he entered
upon his career as an educator. During the next nine years he held
positions in various parts of the county as principal of schools, and
was thus brought favorable before the people. In 1912 he was elected
clerk of the district court, holding that office for two years, and
November 6, 1914, was elected clerk of the courts for a period of two
years, the name of the office having been changed. His offices are in
the court house at Taloga. Mr. Burrow has always been a stalwart
democrat and since coming to Oklahoma has become influential in the
ranks of his party in Dewey County. He has been also an enthusiastic
fraternalist, and now belongs to Aledo Lodge No. 415, A. F. & A. M.;
Taloga Chapter No. 54, R. A. M., and Taloga Camp, Modern Woodmen of
America.

Mr. Burrow was married February 14, 1909, to Miss Ada VANDERVORT,
daughter of Rev. W. S. Vandervort, a preacher of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, who is retired and resides at Aledo. They have two
children: Myrle, born January 11, and Adele, born October 11, 1913.

Transcribed for OKGenWeb by Lee Ann Collins, August 9, 2000.

SOURCE: Thoburn, Joseph B., A Standard History of Oklahoma, An
Authentic Narrative of its Development, 5 v. (Chicago, New York: The
American Historical Society, 1916).