Archives West Finding Aid

Henry A. Burgess was a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army during World War II, an attorney, and a representative in the Wyoming House. He was born on August 22, 1918 to James H. and Helen M. Burgess in Sheridan, Wyoming where he grew up on the NX Ranch. He graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in 1940 and joined the 115th Calvary of the Wyoming National Guard. Burgess enrolled at the University of Michigan Law School; however, in 1942 he had to drop out of law school when the 115th Calvary was activated for duty in World War II. He was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington where he met his future wife, Mary Ralston Hayden, before being sent to the Pacific Theater. Burgess participated in campaigns in Leyte, Luzon, Manilla, and the Los Banos Raid. After the war he married Mary Hayden in 1946 and graduated from the University of Michigan Law School. They moved back to Burgess’s home town of Sheridan, Wyoming where he practiced law for over 40 years. He also served as a member of the Wyoming Legislature from 1949-1951 and as the Sheridan County Attorney. He passed away on April 4, 1995.

Mary Ralston Hayden Burgess was an artist and author. She was born on July 21, 1920 to Joseph Ralston Hayden, a naval officer in WWI, and Elizabeth O. Hall Hayden in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Hayden spent much of her youth in the Philippines from 1933-1935, when her father was appointed Vice Governor. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a history degree in 1942 and joined the American Red Cross during World War II. She met Henry A. Burgess in 1941 at Fort Lewis, Washington and they married after the War in 1946 in Ann Arbor. They moved to Henry’s hometown of Sheridan, Wyoming where they raised their family on the Pony Track Ranch. After Henry’s death, Mary wrote her autobiography, “Both Sides of the Canvas,” and became involved in the art community of Sheridan, Wyoming. Mary Hayden Burgess passed away on June 23, 2021.