Noyes S. Burlew remained on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He was educated in the local schools and at Cazenovia College and afterwards practiced dentistry for seven years at Ovid and other points in New York state. In 1872 he came to Charleston and engaged in the lumber business for two years and then was appointed a revenue collector, an office he resigned in 1876 in order to engage in business. He established himself in the hardware line, first on Capitol Street, and in 1877 came to his present location, No. 712 Kanawha Street. He has made many property investments since he became a resident of Charleston and some twenty-one years since erected the Burlew Opera House, of which he has been owner and manager ever since. In politics he has been quite active, early identifying himself with the Republican party. In his first administration, former Governor Dawson appointed Mr. Burlew adjutant-general of the state, and he was reappointed later by Governor Glasscock, and continued in office until 1910, when he resigned and has accepted no public office since.

Mr. Burlew was married at Charleston to Miss Lizzie Rand, who was born and reared here, and is a daughter of William J. and Ella (Noyes) Rand, who spent their long lives at Charleston. They were members of the Presbyterian church, to which religious body Mr. and Mrs. Burlew also belong. Mr. Burlew is very prominent in Masonry and for the past ten years has been high priest and prophet of Beni-Kedem Shrine at Charleston, of which he is also Past Potentate.