Thomas W. Burton, M.D.

Dr. Thomas William Burton, Springfield’s first Black physician, was born into slavery in a Kentucky log cabin on May 4, 1860. The youngest of 15 children, he was orphaned at 9, and his only education was the alphabet before age 21. Burton attended Kentucky’s Berea College and graduated from the Indianapolis Eclectic College of Physicians and Surgeons on March 24, 1892. Dr. Burton moved to Springfield and opened his medical practice on East Main Street the same year. In 1894, he established both the first Black-owned drug store and a shoe store. Additionally, he operated a newspaper, The Loyal Legion of Honor. Dr. Burton established the Ohio Mutual Medical Association (Ohio’s first Black medical society), and chaired its inaugural meeting in Xenia on August 27, 1897. (Continued on other side)

[Side B]: (Continued from other side) Dr. Burton served as the Ohio National Guard’s Assistant Surgeon during the Spanish-American War. Although unsuccessful, the respected physician later ran campaigns for County Coroner. Dr. Burton spearheaded a movement to establish a “Colored Hospital” when denied physician privileges in the Springfield hospital. He purchased a building on Dilbert and South Yellow Springs but sold it to the Elks when the project stalled. In addition to operating medical offices in Springfield, Xenia, and Dayton, Burton owned and operated a Michigan hotel and health resort. A tireless civic leader, he served on the National Negro Business League, the Center Street YMCA board, and was a prominent leader at North Street A.M.E. Church. Dr. Thomas W. Burton died in his home at 336 W. Clark Street on March 23, 1939. He is buried in Ferncliff Cemetery.