Frank Martin Burbridge, residing on section 5, Oneida township, has extensive landed possessions, his property holdings aggregating seven hundred acres, all in Delaware county. He makes a specialty of stock raising and dairying and in all of his business dealings displays capable management and sound judgment. A native of Hamilton, Indiana, he was born December 2, 1851, his parents being Rowland and Emeline (Hoag) Burbridge. The father was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, April 10, 1819, and was but three years of age when his parents removed with their family to Indiana. His father was Judge William Burbridge, a native of Virginia, who after living for some time in Ohio cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Indiana and became one of the prominent men of that state. General Burbridge of Civil war fame was a member of the same family.
Rowland Burbridge was reared and educated in the Hoosier state and in 1847 was married to Miss Emeline Hoag, a native of New York and a daughter of Jacob and Liddy (Martin) Hoag, who were also born in New York but removed westward to Michigan in early life. There her mother passed away, while her father afterward came to Iowa and died in Manchester. Mrs. Burbridge is today the only one living in a family of twelve children, six of whom reached adult age. Rowland Burbridge was a millwright by trade arid followed that pursuit in early manhood. In 1866 he came to Iowa, where he invested in property, owning a fine farm. He increased his holdings from time to time until he had altogether about eleven hundred acres in Delaware county. He was a self made man and one who deserved great credit for what he accomplished. He never allowed obstacles or difficulties to bar his path and regarded such more as an impetus for renewed effort than as a cause for discouragement. What he undertook he accomplished and his methods were always such as would bear close investigation and scrutiny. He died in 1905 and was laid to rest in the Greeley cemetery, leaving a widow and three children to mourn his loss, while three children are deceased: William H. and Jennie L., the first and third of the family; and one who died in infancy. Those still living are: Frank M.; Jacob, a resident of Dubuque; and Fannie B., the wife of C. O. Noble.
     Frank M. Burbridge, whose name introduces this review, had the usual training of the farm lad, early becoming acquainted with the best methods of cultivating the fields and caring for the crops. His literary training was received in the public schools and Carlisle college at Carlisle, Indiana, and substantial business experience came as he aided his father in the work of the home farm. After attaining his majority he purchased property where he now lives on section 5, Oneida township, and as the years went on he became the owner of seven hundred acres in Delaware county, which he now holds and from which he derives a most substantial and gratifying annual income. He makes dairying an important feature of his business and for this purpose keeps a good herd of high grade cattle. He also raises and sells stock and the different branches of his business are proving profitable. He is likewise one of the directors of the Farmers & Merchants Bank at Manchester.
     On the 22d of June, 1872, Mr. Burbridge was united in marriage to Miss Emma E. Malven, who was born at Colesburg, Iowa, September 26, 1851, a daughter of Charles and Ann (Michael) Malven, the latter a native of Pennsylvania and the former of Scotland, whence he was brought to America when a little lad of seven years. In 1849 he removed westward to Delaware county, taking up his abode in Colony township, where he remained upon a farm to the time of his demise in 1881. His family numbered nine children, of whom four are yet living. Mrs. Burbridge had four brothers, John, Nicholas, William and Daniel, who enlisted in the Seventh Iowa Cavalry and served all through the Civil War. William is a resident of Fayette county, Iowa, but the others have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Burbridge have become the parents of five children, namely: Charles L., born October 12, 1874, who is employed as a conductor on the Manchester & Oneida Railway; Frank R., whose birth occurred August 10, 1877, and who is at home; Harvey R., born January 1, 1884, who lives in Elk township, this county; Al Malven, whose natal day was February 13, 1886, a farmer in Elk township; and James J., born March 17, 1891, who is a graduate of a business college and is the bookkeeper in the A. M. Cloud real estate office in Manchester.
     Mr. Burbridge exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and for six years has filled the office of supervisor, while for nine year he was assessor. He is prompt and faithful in the discharge of his duties and has made excellent record in public office. He has also been school director and seeks the improvement of the schools of the district. Initiated into the Masonic lodge, he has since advanced and has taken the degrees of the Knight Templar commandery. He is a member of Tadmore Lodge, No. 225, A. F. & A. M., of Greeley, Iowa; Meribah Chapter, No. 96, also of Greeley; Nazareth Commandery, No. 33, of Manchester; and El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Cedar Rapids. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and they are held in high esteem because of their possession of many sterling traits of heart and mind.