Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-03-07
REMARKABLE CAREER.
One OF the Leading Men of the Lights
a. London Company.

Connected with the Lights o London
Company, and play ing the leading role OF
Harold Armytags,' az Col. Burleigh,
known all over the N0'thN sst AS Hon. John
L. Burleigh, having been State Senator OF
Michigan and prominent journalist in
that State. Ills has been an interesting
career, and the principal data have been
obtained by REGISTER reporter. Born in
Cambridge, Mass, in the year .lSi7, his
parents died when he w6s very young, aud
he was taken to New YORK City by his
guardian, the late Gen. Horace Seymour
Lansing. When the war broke out
the General was the first man in
tie Empire State to offer his services
% the Government, which attracted
unusual attention from the fact that he
WAS d Democratic leader. TIE future Col.
oLel although but 10 years OF age, still
wonderfully developed for one of those
years entered scuve service az an ensign
in The Seventeenth Regiment New York
Volunteers. a rank that was afterwards
changed 10 Second Lieutenant. Before
serving year Ensign Burleigh was pro-
mote d 10 First LieutenanCy and subse-
qutniy Csptaincy, all for
GAhLANTRY Of THE FIELD OF STRIFE.
Soon sflerward he was recommended for
advancement in the regular service. He
was wounded several times, and his condi.
tiCn led him to accept an appointment OF
Lieutensnt Colonel Of the Seymour Light
Ipfsntry. As such he was ordered by Sec
rotary Stan ton to report 10 Governor Sey.
mour being inCapacitated Tor active field
service. and to take charge of the recruit
ing post in New York City. While occu-
hot ,psifinn Sunarin-
Iendent OF the New York troops
tbe monotoDy of the life grew so
strong that he very gladly al
lowed his guardian to buy an interest for
him in mercantile house in the East
Indies, where he went and remained for
two years. The climate of that country
and the malaria he had contracted at the
battle OF Chickahominy did not agree, and
he was forced to leave and spend winter
in Italy. His health becoming improved
be returned 10 New York and entered bust
ness in the EssJ Irdian and South Ameri-
can uaCe. He always had great longing
for The stage, and his reading at all times
bad zen histronic literature, but family
considerations never allowed him to follow
out his predictions. AS he could not sat.
sly his chief smhlthn, he followed his
mex inclination, which was to dip into law
and politics he moved to Michigan in
1874, and entered the law department of
the University Of Michigan, at Ann Arbor,
and graduated as a bachelor OF lawtwo
yesrs later. The day after this event he
was honored with the nomination for
mayor of that city by the Democratic
party, which be refused to accept, as his
plans we're made to settle in Denver, Col.
Yielding to the pressure of his friends, he
decided 10 remain st Ann ArhOr and the
following fall was nomiLated for the State
Senate, Was elected by a good ina jOrity. be-
ing then less than so years OF age. On the Or
eanizs;ion of the Senate he was sppoited
10 more committees than aDy other mem
Der Of that body, an honor never before
BESTOWED UPON DSuoCRAT.
In 1878, being still in tbs STATE Senate.
re introduced several bills looking TO the
publication Of elections, and endeavJred
to abolish the giving of railroad passes to
Judges and Legislators The same year he
started the Ann Arbor Democrat, d daily
newspaper, which has been very success
ful, and still bears the name OF John L.
Burleigh.
About this time the old fever for the
stage returned, and he en'erei into neg0
Iiations with the late Thomas w. DAvy,
manager OF the Detroit Ooera House, who
had always been anxious to see him behind
the footlights, but that gentleman died
Of lore any Oennlt6 arrangement was
made. In 1880 Colonel Rurleigh made his
debut as 0thelo in the city OF Jackson,
Mich. His entree 10 the dramatic profes.
sion created widespread comment in his
adopted State, where he was looked upon
as the Democratic leader and a statesman
of great promise. The leading journals of
the State pronounced his maiden effort an
unqualified success. Through that and the
next season he played 0thello, Macbeth
and Ingomar. His conception OF the char
scter OF 0lhello was in many respects
novel, as. for instance, hs dressed the Moor
as Venetian, and personated him as an
old man.
In 1912 Colonel Burleigh, at the earnest
solicitation of the friends OF Rev. G. G.
Min, Chicago divine, formed partner
ship with that gentleman, opening at Chi
ergo, and playing throughout the North.
west The coalition was by no means salts
factory 70 the Colonel, and he being very
DESTROYS Of facing an Eastern audience,
decided TO drop his tragedy roles and ac-
cepted the position he now occupies, in
which he has proven an unqualified sue.
ces ana again demonstrated his right 10 q
high place on the Legitimate stage.