BIOGRAPHY

Born March 7, 1834 in Lubec, Maine

Thomas joined the Portland Fire Department 1856 as a member of “Tiger” Hand Engine Co. 3 and later joined “Portland” Hand Engine 5 in 1862.  His occupation was cabinet maker with Walter Corey Co.

New technology replaced the hand-pump engines with steam fire engines, and he became a member of “Cumberland” Steam Engine 3 in 1862.  When the Cumberland relocated to Bracket Street in 1864, he joined “Falmouth” Engine 2, then “Portland” Engine 2 in 1865 at the new Munjoy Hill Engine House.

Hoseman Burnham was one of Portland’s firemen who answered the alarm on July 4th, 1866, helping to fight the largest conflagration in America, destroying over 1,500 buildings here.

In 1872, Hoseman Burnham was the first holder of Badge #51, when the Department purchased badges.

In 1877, he was granted a discharge from the department, after 21 years of service.  He became a member of the Portland Veteran Firemen’s Association on August 20, 1892, which was organized in 1891.

On April 26, 1903, a lumber yard fire on Holyoke Wharf was extending to adjacent piers.  Ex-Hoseman Burnham was pressed into service, assisting on a hose line with Engine 3 and Ladder 3 on the neighboring Sturdivant wharf.  A strong wind off the harbor fueled the fire and suddenly flashed over, trapping four of the firemen, including Hoseman Burnham.  While escaping, they were badly burned and assisted off the pier by other firemen and hosed down with the cool hose line.  The injured were carried to wagons and taken to the Maine Eye & Ear Infirmary hospital, at Bramhall Square.

Two days later on the 28th of April, Hoseman Burnham, age 69, died of his injuries.  He was survived by his wife Anne and two sons, Edwin L. and Thomas A. Burnham.

Hoseman Burnham was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, in Lot V-278 on Main, near Lawn streets.