University of Virginia Library

W. C. BURNS

W. C. Burns is the son of W. A. Burns, of Huntington,
West Virginia. He was born in Charleston, West
Virginia, November 6th, 1856, and received his education
in the common
schools. He began life
as a fireman on the
Chesapeake & Ohio Railway
and was soon promoted
to the position of
engineer, which he filled
for several years. He
came to Roanoke in
1890 and formed a copartnership
with C. A.
Thomas and P. E.
Thomas, under the firm
name of Thomas &
Burns, and engaged in
the clothing business.
In 1897, the firm name
changed to that of the
Brotherhood Mercantile
Company, with Mr.
Burns as President and General Manager. Since then
the firm has conducted one of the leading gents' furnishing
establishments in Roanoke at 107 South Jefferson
Street. He was elected a member of the Board of
Aldermen from Highland Ward in 1904 for a term of
four years, and again reölected in 1908, and is still
a member of that body being a member of the committees
on "Accounts" and "Lights."

He was married March 9th, 1882, to Leona Thomas,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Thomas.

He is identified with several land and development
companies, and the owner of much valuable real estate
in Roanoke. He possesses the confidence and respect
of the people generally and is regarded as one of
Roanoke's leading and influential business men, and
in recent years has been largely engaged in the buying
and selling of Roanoke real estate.