The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1906-07-06

Edward Austin Burdick was born in
Brook field, n. Y, Sept. Is, 1929, being
the youngest son of Adm and Martha
Burdick, in family of four sons and
five daughters born to them. He accom-
panied his mother and other members of
the family to Wisconsin in June, 1S43,
Joining his father who had preceded
them year before and located a home
stead in the town of Albion. The jour-
ney was by canal boat from Utica to
Buffalo and thence by propeller to Mil
Waukee, trip that consumed IL days.
At the age of IL he was employed on the
survey of the old Milwaukee and Missis-
slppl railroad when projected through
this section. In company with his
brother Julius he built and operated a
saw mill on Saunders creek, just north
of Edgerton, and from the oak lumber
sawed by them many of the first homes
in this locality were constructed. The
brothers secured title in an early day to
much of the land on which Edgerton
now stands and donated 20 acres of it to
the railway company on which to build
its depot, the surplus now being occupied
by many of the large tobacco warehouses.
In 1867 he was appointed postmaster of
Edgerton, which be held for over 20
years, when by the election of Cleveland
he made way for democratic successor.
Mr.. Burdick was life long republican
and took an active part in all matters
which his party championed. His mar
riage to Nancy L. Coon took place May
30, 1851, from which union four children
survive, Frank H. Of Minneapolis, Allan
of Fairmont. MINI, Ralph of Modelia,
MINI, and Mrs. Eleanor Mccoy of
Napavine, Washington.
The remains of Mr.. Burdick. accom-
panied by the three sons arrived here
by train Sunday morning. Funeral SER
vices took place from the Congregational
church Sunday afternoon, Rev L. Ell.
Keller of Milwaukee, former pastor of
the family, officiating. Many of the
early residents of the community were
present to pay their respects to one of
their number whose life work was ended.
Among the pioneers who founded the
city of Edgerton there was a group of
strong men who left their impress on the
entire life Of the community. The hard
ships these men endured and their close
contact with untamed nature gave them
distinctive ruggedness of character.
In this group of pioneers Mr.. Burdick
held a prominent place. He was a strong
man, unique without being strangely &c
centric, freely expressing his individual
lty without trespassing upon the rights
of others. Though not college, bred
man he led an intellectual life and was a
keen and original thinker.
He was man Of action also, and kept
IN touch with the life of his day He
was too industrious and thrifty to be
poor and too noble to live to amass
wealth. Because the whole world was
MS home the daily paper was his friend.
His nature was intense and he had
pleasure in the activities of his own
mind and in the movements of life in
this wonderful age.
Honesty with Mr. Burdick was more
than motto; it was a principle. He
lived an upright life and scorned all that
is base
He was man of domestic tastes. He
loved mis- fireside and was devoted to his
family. Other men might make more
friends, but none could prove a more
loyal friend than he. The man who lost
Mr.. Burdick's friendship lost much and
deserved his loss
His pioneer life schooled him in the
admirable but increasingly rare virtues
OF simplicity. He was too big man to
put on airs. He did not try to keep pace
with the newer generation in the spend
thrift tendencies that are breeding dis
honor and impoverisEing character. He
was disciple of Charles Wagner and
President Roosevelt in the charms and
advantages of the simple life.
In the death, of Mr.. Burdick the COM
munity srstains the loss of strong, up
right man, whose example will be an
abiding incentive to noble living and
worthy achievement.
Steel Flag Pole at Albion.
A 1dS e+ooI Aor ,oIo NON, rraooa