B. C. Burdick

BURDICK, PLATTS, WRIGHT, BALSOM, BERGLAND, GASKILL

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/6/2010 at 04:55:47

B. C. BURDICK

B. C. Burdick, a highly respected retired farmer living in Lake Mills, was born in Cedar Falls on the 3d of August, 1861, and is a son of Alfred and Sarah (Platts) Burdick, natives of Pennsylvania and New Hampshire respectively. The father came to Iowa in young manhood and the mother was brought to this state when a girl by her brother, Henry Platts. Mr. and Mrs. Burdick resided for a short time in Cedar Falls and were pioneer settlers in both Winnebago county and in Worth county, just across the line. .The father had extensive land holdings in both counties, including a homestead on Burdick island in Rice lake, near Lake Mills. In the '60s he conducted a store in Bristol, Worth county, in connection with his farm. Both he and his wife are deceased and are buried in Sunnyside cemetery in Lake Mills.

B. C. Burdick attended the district schools until he was sixteen years of age and during the following nine years worked for his father. When twenty-five years old he was married and purchased a farm in Silver Lake township, Worth county, which he operated for eleven years. He then rented that place and took up his residence in Lake Mills, but nine years later bought a farm in Bristol township, Worth county. After following agricultural pursuits there for five years he retired from active life and became a resident of Lake Mills. He is in enviable financial circumstances and is assured of all the comforts of life without further recourse to labor.

Mr. Burdick was married in 1887 to Miss Nellie Wright, a daughter of Abel J. and Anice (Balsom) Wright, natives of New York state, where they were married and six of their children were born. The father came to Iowa in 1868 but did not bring his family until 1872, making several trips between New York and Iowa in the meantime. In 1872 the family located in Bristol, Worth county, Iowa, and the father conducted a store there and also engaged in farming. In 1886 he removed to Lake Mills, Winnebago county, and retired from active life. He died September 5, 1904, and his wife January 17, 1914, and both are buried in Sunnyside cemetery. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burdick, namely: Juva N., the wife of Milton Bergland, of Mason City; Beryl, who married Glenn Gaskill, of Lake Mills; Clarence A.; and Donald, who died in infancy.

Mr. Burdick is a democrat in his political belief and his interest in public affairs is that of a good citizen. He served many years as a member of the school board in Worth county and was trustee for several years. He is a member of the Yeomen and of the Methodist church, associations which indicate the nature of his interests. He has a wide and favorable acquaintance throughout the county, his salient qualities being such as invariably command respect and regard.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 296-297.