Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-07-20
HON. 7. W. BURDlCK DEAD
One of the Pioneer Business Men of
Decorah Passes Away.

Last Saturday morning. at the home
of his brother, c. w. Burdick, Hon.
Theodore w. Burdick died from
Brights Disease. On the third of July
he went to the Soldiers Home at
Marshalltown, where he became very
ill, and on last week Tuesday c. w.
Burdick h-crsht him to Decorah,
where hty last few days were spent
We copy almost verbatim sketch of
his life from the History of Winnie
shiek County, up to the time he was
elected to represent this district in con-
gress:
Hon. Theodore w. Burdick was native of
Pennsylvania. and was born at Evansburg,
Crawford county, on the 7th day of October,
1896. his parents being Nelson and Almira
Mason Burdick. Nelson Burdick was born in
the State of New York; removed from his
native State to Crawford Co., Penn, and in
1852 immigrat ed to Iowa and located at Free
port, on the site now occupied by the paper
mill, but did not bring his family west until
1858. At that time the journey Yves made by
railroad to Rockford, ILL.,, thence by stage to
Dubuque; thence by river to Lansing, and
again by wagons to Freeport. Burdick soon
became popular citizen, and in the spring of
1854 was appointed to Ill a vacancy in the
Treasurer's and Recorders office, caused by
the death of Thomas ]. Hazlett and was twice
reelected to ihe same. When the civil war
broke out, he had five sons who were eligible
to serve their country, all Of whom enlisted,
but only two returned from service, as three
filled soldiers graves. Theodore w. is the
Oldest of the three living children. He early
applied himself to his studies, SO that at the
age of IL he was prepared to enter Oberlin Col
lege, Ohio, but came with his parents to Free
port In the spring of 1853, During the summer
Of that year, q school house was completed at
DecOrah, and the following winter the subject
OF this sketch became the first teacher. In the
spring Of 1854 he entered the rreasurer's and
Recorders ONCE as deputy, under his father,
having charge Of the books as such until 1857,
when he became Of fage, and as his fathers
term Of office expired, the son, in compliance
with the votes Of the people: succeeded him,
holding 1t until he resigned to enter the mill
tary service. In 1862 Mr.. Burdick recruited
Co. D, 9Th 10. Cav, and in October was COM
missioned Captain Ofthe same. Its field of
operation was ON the western frontier, and he
participated In three battles with the Indians:
White Stone Hills, Dakota, Tah-kah-o-kuta,
near the line Of Dakota and Montana; and
bad Lands, on the Little Missouri river, He
served three years, when the regiment was
mustered out. In the Official reports Captain
Burdick is honorably mentioned for gallant
services on the field, and was recommended
for promotion. In February, 1865, Mr.. Bur-
dick purchased an interest In the First Nation.
al Bank Of Decorah, and was for many years
Its cashier. He was also an extensive dealer
In real estate, In which business he was quite
successful. On the 9Th Of September, 1876 he
received at the hands OF the Republican party
its unanimous and unsolicited nomination for
Congress to represent the third district, and
was elected by more than thirteen hundred
majority In district which two years before
had elected the Democratic nominee. His op-
pcnent was Hon. j. NJ. Grimth, Of Dubuque.
Mr.. Burdick's services in Congress were en-.
tirely acceptable to the people who elected
him, and he again received assurance OF the
nomination, which, however, he declined, as
his private business required all his care and
attention. In 1885 he was elected state sena.
tor from this district, and after two years Of
service resigned TO attend to business matters,
removing to sault Ste Marie, Mich. where he
spent some ten years in the banking business,
which proved failure. and he was admitted
to the Soldiers Home at Marshalltown, where
his health rapidly failed. He was married in
December 1858, to Miss Nancy Graves, OF
Whitewater, Wis, who preceded him to the
home beyond. Mr.. Burdick leaves a widow
and four children by his first wife: Mrs. G. T
Bailey, Of this city, Nelson A., Klondike and
. son and daughter in Newburg, Mich.
The funeral services were held from
the home of his brother, C. w. Bur-
dick, in West Decorah, Monday after
noon at five o'clock, Rev. DR.. Willett
officiating, attended by large num-
Der of old friends and acquaintance.
Mr.. Burdick had much to do with
the growth of Decorah, was popular
citizen, and held many positions of
honor and trust. He will long be
remembered by those who were as
sOciated with him.