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William Morrison Burgess, manager of the Burgess Electric Company, was 55 years old when he became one of the 16 charter members of Rotary 25.
Born in Janesville, Ontario in 1856, Burgess moved with his family to Palo, Michigan that same year. He worked as an apprentice blacksmith, teacher, and lumberman before moving to Duluth in 1884. In Duluth, Burgess took the position of Superintendent of the Duluth Electric & Power Co., the predecessor of MP&L.
By 1894 Burgess and his brother George established their own electrical contracting firm at 109 W. Michigan St., called the Burgess Electrical Co. In 1889 Burgess married Elizabeth Rackle of Cleveland, Ohio. At the same time, the family business expanded and moved to 24 3rd Ave. W. By 1908 the business had expanded again and moved to its permanent location at 301 W. 1st St.
Wm. M. Burgess also acted as Secretary/Treasurer of the Chester Harold Mining Co. on the Cyuna iron ore range, and had investments in oil properties in Kansas. He served on the Board of the Fire Commissioners, and was a member of the Federal Highway Council, the commercial Club, and the Boat Club. He was active in the Unitarian church.
In 1931, at age 75, Burgess was struck by an automobile as he was walking across Superior Street near his home. He died of his injuries and was buried at Forest Hill cemetery in Duluth.
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