Tom and Mabel Burgess raised their family on the farm southeast of Westmoreland. This photograph was taken in 1930 or 1931. In back are Alice, George, Mildred, and Margaret. On the front row are Bob, Charles, Tom, Elizabeth "Liz", and Mabel.

Thomas Oliver Burgess was born December 12, 1882, in Pottawatomie County at his parents' home, on their farm in Union Township, near Westmoreland. His parents were John I. and Margaret Burgess.

Tom attended Pauling School District #11. He worked on the family farm most of the time and attended school during winter months when farm work slowed down.
Tom served as deputy sheriff of Pottawatomie County from 1928 to 1944. He was a Republican Committeeman for 20 years.

Mabel Florence Scott was born June 2, 1887, at her family's home near Westmoreland. Her parents were George and Esther Barber Scott. George was born October 22, 1832 at Satchels, Roxburghshire, Scotland. George emigrated from Scotland to USA (Illinois) in 1854. Esther Barber was born April 25, 1848 in Norwich, New York. George and Esther were married April 22, 1869 in Plainsfield, Illinois and moved their family to Pottawatomie County, Kansas in the late 1870's. When Mabel was only nine years old, her mother, Esther, died. Mabel's older sister, Carrie, became a mother figure to her.

Mabel Scott attended school near Westmoreland and graduated from Westmoreland High School, which was a 2-year program. She taught school at White Eagle and Star Union.

Tom and Mabel Burgess were married on April 15, 1908 at the groom's parents' home. They lived with John I. and Margaret Burgess in the stone house for about a year while the frame house across the road was being built.
Tom and Mabel had eight children, including one son, Thomas, Jr., who died as an infant. Their children were Margaret, George, Mildred, Alice, Elizabeth "Liz", Bob and Charles. There were twenty-five grandchildren who have extended the Burgess family.

In 1946, Tom was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives. When the legislature was in session, Tom and Mabel lived in Topeka. Tom served two terms in the legislature.

Tom and Mabel moved to Wamego in 1959. Mabel died in 1960, and Tom died in 1967.

(Some Burgess/Scott genealogical data was added by Karen Meek)

Tom & Mabel married April 15, 1908

Tom and Mabel were married on April 15, 1908 at the home of the groom's parents in Union township. (Photo & news clipping provided by Karen Meek)

News article of Tom & Mabel's wedding

(News article from Karen Meek's collection)