Edward Thomas Burrowes was born on July 25, 1852 at Sherbrooke, Canada, the son of Ambrose and Jane (Hall) Burrowes. He removed with his parents shortly before his fifteenth birthday to Portland, Maine, which became his residence until his death.
After working several years with Hayes & Douglas, dealers in crockery, Edward entered in 1873 the Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's Hill. Upon graduation he matriculated at Wesleyan University in 1876, but left during his freshman year.
While at seminary and college he had supported himself through his own efforts, chiefly by the manufacture of screens. After leaving school, Edward Burrowes turned naturally to the production of screens and through intense industry and business capacity built up the largest screen factory in the world. His first patent, that of a window screen, was taken out in 1878, and between that date and 1919 over forty patents were either secured by him or assigned to him.
These patents fall into four main divisions: (1) window screens; (2) spring actuated curtains and shades; (3) automobile accessories; (4) folding tables, particularly card and billiard tables.
The E. T. Burrowes Company of Portland produced not only screens but billiard and pool tables, folding card tables, and folding chairs. He was also president of the Curtain Supply Company of Chicago, which manufactured curtains used in passenger cars, and of manufacturing ninety percent of those used (1918) in railroad and street cars.
His main achievement was in building the largest screen factory in the world. Burrowes built up a large manufacturing business in curtains and shades and is credited with inventing the first curtains used in passenger cars, and of manufacturing ninety percent of those used (1918) in railroad and street cars. These were manufactured by the Curtain Supply Company of Chicago of which he was president. Burrowes was also a trustee of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's Hill, and of Boston University (1901 - 18).
Outside of his business affairs Burrowes was noted for his sustained interest in charitable and educational projects, especially those connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. For example, Edward Burrowes was an active member of the Chestnut Street Church of Portland. He practically built a church in the Italian section of that city.
Edward Burrowes was a man of considerable inventive capacity as well as a business executive.
Edward Burrowes is described as "quiet in manner, reticent in conversation, genial and pleasant to his intimate friends. His qualities best shone in his home life and among his business associates. "
Edward Burrowes was married on October 4, 1880, to Frances E. Norcross of Portland.
