Huntington’s second mayor, Thomas J. Burke, served two non-consecutive terms in the office.
Early City Council records show that Mayor Burke and Gen. John Hunt Oley, city recorder and treasurer, were appointed as an early school committee. (Over the years, Oley came to be looked on as the “father” of the city’s school system. When he died in 1888, Oley School was named in his honor.)
Burke, who like Oley fought on the Union side in the Civil War, became one of the new town’s first property owners when he purchased a lot on 7th Avenue between 7th and 8th streets. In 1872, two years before his election as mayor, he was appointed as a member of the city’s first Board of Health.
On September 6, 1875, the City Council meeting lacked a quorum and the meeting’s minutes explained that “some councilmen were pursing the bank robbers.” A band of armed men had robbed the Huntington Bank and then escaped by horseback. Local legend says the bandits were the Jesse James Gang, but most historian scoff at that idea.
Burke attempted to resign as mayor in 1875, but City Council refused to accept his resignation, requesting that he reconsider. The reason for his attempted resignation is unknown.
He again served as mayor in 1877-78.
