Burdick, Charles

BURDICK, GROSVENOR, THELAN, LEICK

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/27/2009 at 12:07:08

Burdick, Charles

The greatest results in life are often attained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance; but practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success. The every-day life, with its multiform duties, affords every opportunity for the acquisition of experience of the best kind, and its most travel-worn ways provide an earnest worker with ample scope for effort and improvement. This fact having been realized by Charles Burdick, the able and popular cashier of the State Savings Bank of Baxter, and one of the well known citizens of Jasper County, he seized the small opportunities that he encountered on the labyrinthine road of life, permitting no obstacles to bar his advance toward the ultimate goal of success, never attained by the inert, craven and ambitionless plodder.

Mr. Burdick was born near Crescent City, Iroquois County, Illinois, September 24, 1876. He is the son of Giles E. and Mary (Grosvenor) Burdick, both born in Ohio, where they spent their childhood, moving to Iroquois County, Illinois, in an early day and there became well established. Their home is now at Watseka, that state. They became the parents of four sons, three of whom are living at this writing, namely: Charles of this review being the eldest; Ernest died at the age of two years; Elbert, who was born in 1880, is assistant cashier of the Citizens State Bank at Watseka, Illinois; Arthur, born in, 1887, lives near Watseka. These children were all born, reared and educated in Iroquois County, Illinois.

Charles Burdick was married on May 11, 1910, to Gertrude Thelan, who was born at Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, on June 20, 1880, and there she spent her girlhood and attended school. She is the daughter of John and Catherine (Leick) Thelan, both natives of Germany and both born in the year 1852, and there they grew up and were married, coming to America in early life and locating at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Thelan, eight of whom are living.

Charles Burdick has taken an active interest in the affairs of Baxter since coming here and is active in Republican politics. He is at present treasurer of the town of Baxter and also treasurer of the independent school district of Baxter. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Baxter. Mrs. Burdick is a member of the Catholic Church at Rhodes. They own a cozy and modernly furnished home in Baxter.

Mr. Burdick is essentially a self-made man. His early education being limited, in fact he never attended school after he was twelve years of age, he has educated himself by actual contact with the business world and by miscellaneous home reading. When but a boy he went to Chicago and in that great metropolis got his start in the business world, and from there he came to State Center, Iowa, October 20, 1897, and there he engaged in the harboring business. In January 1902, he became cashier of the State Savings Bank of Baxter, which position he has continued to hold to the present, discharging his duties with a fidelity, honesty and precision that has won the hearty commendation of the officials, stockholders and patrons of that popular institution. He seems to be the possessor of all the qualifications necessary to a successful cashier. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1225.