Burbridge, Edwin

BURBRIDGE

Posted By: Joyce Hickman
Date: 7/24/2007 at 21:29:21

Edwin Burbridge

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.76, Boomer Twp. )
Edwin Burbridge, farmer, P. O. Council Bluffs, was born in London, England, in 1812. He was raised a farmer and has followed that almost his entire life. He was raised in Buckinghamshire, and farmer there till he was twenty-one and then went to London and into the dairy business, and continued living there till he came to America in 1849. He was educated in Aspley and Rugby Schools. After leaving school he farmed largely under the Duke of Buckingham. After coming to America he followed farming in Pennsylvania for two years, then moved to Dubuque, Iowa, followed farming and cattle dealing. Moved to Pottawattamie County in 1865; has followed farming and stock-raising ever since, feeding from three to five car loads of cattle for shipping each year. He has nearly 100 cows now, and has built a creamery for his own use. His farm consists of about 800 acres, all under fence, and his farming is stock-raising mostly. He has only been on his present farm for about eight years. While in England he was largely dealing in stock, and has traveled a great deal on the continent attending to his business. Soon after coming to America he was in Iowa, when there was not a railroad in the State, and when Indians and buffalo roamed over the prairies. Mr. Burbridge was married in England in June 1844 or 1845, to Miss Elizabeth Downs. They have seven children living and four dead - four sons and three daughters living. Two are married and farming for themselves, the others are at home. His boys all follow farming, and intend that shall be their future occupation. Mr. Burbridge's life has been one which shows what a man with a determination can do, for he has had his reverses as well as his successes, but has never been discouraged. He is now one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers in Boomer Township.