Burdick, Eli H.

BURDICK, CHURCHILL, HALL, MOSIER, VANDEWATER

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Date: 4/15/2003 at 21:56:11

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

ELI H. BURDICK.

Among the honored veterans of the Civil war who make their home in Clinton is the subject of this sketch, who has been in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway since 1871. He was born in Caledonia county, New York, on the 15th of August, 1836, and is a son of Dr. Harris C. and Sally (Churchill) Burdick. The father was a native of the Green Mountain state, and was a self-educated as well as a self-made man. He took up the study of medicine under local physicians, and devoted the latter part of his life to the practice of his chosen profession. He spent many years in Iowa, living at different places, and died at Grand Junction, this state, in 1899, at the age of eighty-eight years. He was quite well known and was highly respected in the various communities where he resided. His wife died in Boone, Iowa, when about seventy-eight years of age. They had a family of five sons and five daughters, of whom six are still living, namely: Electa, wife of Benson Hall, of Wisconsin; Almira, wife of Lorenzo Mosier of Clinton, Iowa; Eli H., our subject; Z. C., a resident of Floyd county, Iowa; F. D., of Nevada, this state; and Le Roy, of Denver, Colorado. Jerome, who died in January, 1901, was a soldier of the Civil was, as was also Z. C.

The public schools of DeKalb and Kane counties, Illinois, afforded our subject his educational advantages, but he was only able to attend school during the winter, while he worked at various occupations during the summer months until seventeen years of age. He began his railroad career as a brakeman on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, when the road only extended to Blackberry, east of Maple Park.

When the Civil war broke out Mr. Burdick enlisted in September, 1861, in Company B, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, under Colonel John Farnsworth. After serving eighteen months, he was wounded in battle and from the effects of the same lost his voice. He was confined in the hospital at Alexandria, Virginia, for some time, but when the President issued his call for one-hundred-day men, he again enlisted and remained at the front until hostilities ceased. He saw some very hard service, and was in a number of important engagements. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged at Washington, D. C., and returned to his home in DeKalb county, Illinois.

Mr. Burdick first went to work as carpenter for the Chicago & Northwestern in 1871. In 1872 he worked on the water works of the company. His first work on a train was braking on the old Chicago & Dixon Air Line Railroad, now a part of the Chicago & Northwestern, when it was extended to Blackberry. Getting hurt he was off the road for a number of years, this was some years before coming to Clinton. After engaging in carpenter work for a time, he then began firing, continuing as fireman until July 1, 1881, when he engaged as engineer on the East Iowa Division. He was in the freight service until 1898, when he was given a switch engine in the yards, but on account of ill health brought on by exposure, he has been off duty for some time. He was fireman on engine No. 229 when air-driver brakes were first put on this road, and during his service has seen many other changes and improvements made in railroading.

Mr. Burdick was married, in June, 1870, to Miss Mary A. Vandewater, who was born in Hillsdale, Michigan, in 1846, and is the only surviving member of her family. She was reared and educated in her native state. Her parents, Peter and Eleanor Vandewater, were farming people, and died in Michigan. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Burdick were born eight children, but one died in infancy; and Callie died at the age of ten years. Those living are Arthur D., a mail carrier of Clinton; Frank A., who is also a carrier and resides in Clinton; Leon E., who is in the employ of the Crane Company at Chicago; Della A., who is teaching in the public schools of Clinton and lives with her brother; Jay J., who is engaged in the Lamb mill at Clinton; and Halla M., who attends the public schools. All have received good common school educations. Mr. Burdick is an honored member of the Grand Army Post, No. 88, at Clinton, and Clinton Division, No. 125, B. of L. E., and is held in the highest respect by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.