- ETHAN L. BURDICK, residing on section 7, Lima Township, is
one of the leading and
- representative farmers of this county, and is numbered among
its honored pioneers of 1841. He was born in Allegany County,
N.Y., on the 18th day of March, 1822, and is a son of Ethan and
Amy (ALLEN) BURDICK, the former a native of Connecticut and the
latter of Rhode Island. Our subject was the third of the family
to bear the name of Ethan. His grandfather, was the first to
be so called, was a fisherman and followed a seafaring life during
the greater part of his days. The father of our subject was a
farmer by occupation. His marriage with Amy ALLEN was celebrated
in the State of New York, and unto them were born six children,
all of whom are yet living - Amy Ann, wife of Daniel P. FREEBORN,
a resident farmer of the town of Lima; Isaphenia, who became
the wife of William WEST, of Dane County, Wis.; Esther, who resides
upon the old homestead; Susan, who was one of the first graduates
of Milton College and is now a teacher of recognized ability;
and Silas G., who is in Lima, and married Miss Hannah HULL, and
they have three children - Nelly E., Harrold M., and Laura M.
- Resolving to make a home for himself and family in the West,
Ethan BURDICK, Sr., emigrated
- to Wisconsin in 1841 and settled in this county. He first
located on section 7, in the town of Lima, where he entered a
claim of 160 acres, and in the fall erected a log-cabin into
which the family moved. He at once began the development of the
wild land, placing it all under cultivation, and making many
improvements and there resided until his death in 1878. He had
by subsequent purchases extended the boundaries of his farm until
it comprised 227 acres and the rise in land, consequent upon
the settling up of the country, had made him a well-to-do farmer,
and his family were left in comfortable circumstances. In early
life, politically, Mr. BURDICK was a Whig, but on the organization
of the Republican party, he joined its ranks and remained a warm
defender of its principles and policy until his death. He was
a great reader, always well informed on all the leading issues
of the day, and his children never wanted for good reading matter,
for in his home might always be found the best current literature.
His excellent wife survived him until 1888, when she was called
to the better land. They were devoted and consistent members
of the Seventh Day Baptist Church, were numbered among its most
prominent workers, and were honored for their many good deeds
of heart and hand. Their works of kindness and charity will long
be remembered and their example is well worthy of emulation.
Mr. BURDICK took an active interest in the advancement of social
and religious enterprises and the cause of education found in
him a true friend.
- The subject of this sketch was liberally educated, his primary
course in the schools being
- supplemented by a course in the Alfred Seminary at Alfred
Centre, N.Y. His boyhood days were spent in his native State
and at the age of nineteen he came with the family to the Territory
of Wisconsin. Well does he remember the pioneer life in the early
day of this then new country, when wild game of all kinds was
plentiful, when the deer in droves of twenty-five or more would
pass the cabin, and the Indians were still frequent visitors
in the settlement. Though many were the trials and hardships
to be endured, those were the days of happiness spent in the
primitive homes on the frontier, hospitality abounded and the
latch string was always out. Mr. BURDICK remained at home with
his parents until 1855, when he was united in marriage with Miss
Philena BABCOCK, a native of New York, and a daughter of Abel
and Lucy (HUNTINGTON) BABCOCK, who became residents of Rock County
in 1842. They were both members of the Seventh Day Baptist Church,
highly respected by all who knew then, and have now passed to
their final rest. To Mr. and Mrs. BURDICK have been born two
children - Gaudentia, who wedded Miss Harriet KILLAM, by whom
he had a son - Leon, who lives with his grandfather, and later
married Dulcinea CRANDALL, who bore him two children named Ethan
Lee and Charles C., who live with their mother, who was widowed
Nov. 6, 1888; and May died at the age of thirteen years. They
have an adopted daughter named Maggie.
- The home farm of Mr. BURDICK comprises 147 acres of fine
arable land, and in addition to that,
- he also owns ninety acres of land, situated on section 19
in the town of Lima. His entire possessions he has acquired since
coming to Rock County. The splendid improvements on his farm
are all the work of his hand, and he converted the wild land
into a beautiful home. The little log-cabin has long since given
place to a fine two-story frame dwelling, which is surrounded
by many shade and ornamental trees and is one of the pleasantest
homes to be found in the community. An honored pioneer and valued
citizen, Mr. BURDICK is held in the highest respect by all who
knew him. He has not only been a witness of the great changes
that have taken place during the forty-eight years of his residence
in Rock County, but has been an active participant in the work
of development and progress. He has ever been liberal in the
support of all enterprises calculated to advance the interests
of the community and has served his fellow-citizens in various
official positions, discharging his duties with honor and to
the satisfaction of all concerned. For many years he was President
of the Mutual Fire Company of the town of Lima and proved to
be an able and efficient officer. His wife is a member of the
Seventh Day Baptist Church, and though he is not a communicant
of any religious body, he contributes freely to the support of
the church, as he does to social and educational interests.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 890-891.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|