Thomas G. Burch

The Honorable Thomas Granville Burch
United States Senator from Virginia
In office May 31, 1946 – November 5, 1946
Preceded by	Carter Glass
Succeeded by	Absalom W. Robertson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 5th district
In office March 4, 1931 – May 31, 1946 At-large: March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1935
Preceded by	Joseph Whitehead
Succeeded by	Thomas B. Stanley
Personal details
Born	(1869-07-03)July 3, 1869 Henry County, Virginia
Died	Martinsville, Virginia
Political party	Democratic

Thomas Granville Burch (July 3, 1869 – March 20, 1951) was an American farmer, tobacco manufacturer, and politician from Martinsville, Virginia. He represented Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1931 until 1946. In 1946 he served as a U.S. Senator after Carter Glass died in office until a successor was elected.

Biography

Burch was born near the community of Dyer's Store in Henry County, Virginia. Early in his life, he worked as a farmer and for a tobacco manufacturing company. After his move to Martinsville, where he was elected mayor, Burch worked in banking, and later in the real estate and insurance businesses, owning a business devoted to both. Burch was elected as a Democrat to the 72nd Congress in 1931, and served until May 1946, when he was appointed to the United States Senate. Thomas 'Tom' Burch was married April 22, 1903 to Mary Ellen Anson, the daughter of Rev. Alfred W. Anson, an Episcopal priest born at Windsor Castle, son of Hon. Rev. Frederick Anson.

On March 20, 1951 Burch died of a heart attack in Martinsville and was buried in the city's Oakwood Cemetery.

Elections

• 1930; Burch was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives unopposed.

• 1932; Burch was re-elected with the Democratic slate in Virginia's at-large Congressional district, he won 8.29% in a 24-way race.

• 1934; Burch was re-elected with 88.18% of the vote, defeating Republican Henry P. Wilder and Socialist Ira C. Wentz.

• 1936; Burch was re-elected with 64.96% of the vote, defeating Republican Taylor G. Vaughan.

• 1938; Burch was re-elected unopposed.

• 1940; Burch was re-elected unopposed.

• 1942; Burch was re-elected with 93.14% of the vote, defeating Socialist Howard Hearnes Carwile.

• 1944; Burch was re-elected with 84.61% of the vote, defeating now-Independent Carwile.

External links

• Thomas G. Burch at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Thomas G. Burch at Find a Grave

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Joseph Whitehead	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 5th congressional district 1931–1933	Succeeded by District abolished Himself after district re-established in 1935
Preceded by District re-established John S. Wise before district abolished in 1885	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's at-large congressional seat 1933–1935	Succeeded by District abolished
Preceded by District re-established Himself before district abolished in 1933	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 5th congressional district 1935–1946	Succeeded by Thomas B. Stanley
United States Senate
Preceded by E. Carter Glass	U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Virginia 1946 Served alongside: Harry F. Byrd	Succeeded by A. Willis Robertson