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- Portrait Biographical Album of Lake County, Illinois
(1891)
Henry L. Burdick
Henry L. Burdick, one of the most prominent citizens of Ela Township,
now engaged in farming on section 11, where he has resided for the long period
of twenty-six consecutive years, was born in Kendall Township, Orleans County,
N.Y., February 7, 1840. His father, Rodman S. Burdick, was a native of Rhode
Island, born in 1800. He spent his early childhood days in that State and at
the age of ten shipped before the mast, following the seas until eighte
years of age when he went into the ship yards and learned the trade of a ship
carpenter. Later he resided in Madison County, N.Y., where during the summer
months he followed farming and in the winter season worked at his trade. It
was during his residence in that county that he wedded Harriet Bassett on the
4th of March, 1824. She was a daughter of Deacon Bassett of the Seventh Day
Baptist Church. Six children were born of their union, two daughters and four
sons but only two are now living, the others having died in childhood. Joseph M.
married Artamissa Talcott, and is overseer of public works in Kansas City, Mo.
The other surviving member of the family is Henry L. of this sketc
In 1845, with his family, Rodman Burdick came to Illinois, locating in
Vernon Township, Lake County, where he resided until 1854, at which time he
removed to Wheaton, Du Page County, and followed his trade at that place for
four years. He then returned to his old home in Vernon Township, and on the
11th of August, 1874, his wife was called to her final rest. Subsequently he
went to Kansas City, spending two years with his son Joseph, and then returned
home. He died while on a visit to an older brother in Madison County, N.Y., in
1878. In early life, Mr. Burdick was a stanch Abolitionist, and when the
Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery, he
joined its ranks. He served as drum major for several years in the New York
State Militia, and was a man of prominence in the various communities where he
made his home. He and his wife were members of the Seventh Day Baptist Church
for several years but afterward joined the Wesleyan Methodist Church, in the
faith of which they died.
The early education of our subject, acquired in the common schools,
was supplemented by a two year course of study in Wheaton. At the age of
twenty he began life for himself as a farm hand, working by the month for two
years, when at the call of President Lincoln for more troops, he enlisted in
Company F, Thirty-Seventh Illinois Infantry and went in to camp at Chicago,
whence the regiment was ordered to St. Louis, and later sent to reinfor
Mulligan at Lexington, but when they reached Booneville, they learned that
Mulligan had already surrendered. At Otterville they went into winter quarters
and in the spring proceeded to Springfield, Mo. While en route they learned
that Fremont had been superceded by Hunter. This was sad news for the boys of
the Thirty-Seventh Illinois for they had called their regiment the Fremont
Regiment. Shortly afterward they went into camp at Sedalia, Mo., and on
breaking camp entered into the campaign which resulted in the battle of Pea
Ridge. Mr. Burdick was taken prisoner two days before the engagement. He had
been detailed to go to a private house and take care of a sick comrade and
after the retreat of the regiment he was captured and conveyed to Van Buren,
Ark., where he was held as a prisoner for five weeks and then exchanged. In
the meantime he had contracted a disease, from which he has never yet fully
recovered. After rejoining his regiment, the troops went back to Cassville,
where they remained through the summer and then proceeded to Springfield. His
company was detailed as provost guard and had charge of the military prison
until orders came to proceed to Wilson's Creek. Later the battle of Prairie
Grove was fought and on the return to Raleigh, the Thirty-Seventh Illinois
Infantry was sent to Pilot Knob, but Mr. Burdick was left in charge of the
provost marshal's stores. After a short time, he received orders to collect
what was left of the army and stores and report at Pilot Knob. After joining
his regiment, he was left at Pilot Knob engaged in the same duty, while his
command went to Cape Girardeau, and took transports for Vicksburg. Some time
afterward orders came from Gen. Vandever to turn over all stores to Col. Carr,
commander of the post and report at St. Louis. The next morning he took
transportation and rejoined his regiment at Warrington, where the division
crossed the river and took a position upon the extreme left of Logan's corps,
where they remained until after the surrender of Vicksburg. They were then
transported up the Yazoo River, and captured the city of Yazoo. They lost the
gunboat, "DeKalb" but secured enough arms to counteract the same. During all
this campaigning, Mr. Burdick was detailed as Sergeant of the Provost Guard
and after spending a short time at Port Hudson, went to New Orleans and thence
to Morganza's Bend. About this time he received a sixty days furlough on
account of sickness and was never again with his regiment. He reported to New
Orleans, where he spent the winter in the ordinance office and in the spring
crossed to Ft. Brown, Texas, where he remained during the service. Those who
did not re-enlist were ordered to report in Chicago, to be mustered out and in
that city, on the 4th of October, 1864, he was honorably discharge
On his return from the war, Mr. Burdick engaged in the operation of
the old homestead, but since his marriage has resided on his present farm. On
the 30th of December, 1865, he was joined in wedlock with Maggie L. Benson,
who was born in Chicago, December 5, 1943, and is a daughter of John and
Margaret (Bonner) Benson. They were both natives of Germany but when young
people crossed the Atlantic to America, and were married in New York. Soon
afterward they emigrated to Chicago, where Mr. Benson was taken with
consumption. He then went to Joliet, where he had friends living, but died
about two years after his marriage. Mrs. Benson afterward became the wife of
Samuel Adams, and they took up their residence in Russell's Grove, Ela
Township, where Mr. Adams died twenty-five years later, and the mother of Mrs.
Burdick was again left a widow, since which time she has lived with her
daughter. In the household are also two sons and two daughters, born of the
union of our subject and his wife: Fred L., who was born July 31, 1867, and is
now engaged in the butchering business in Nehawka, Neb.; Hattie, born December
2, 1869, is at home; Cora A., born May 3, 1874, is employed in the watch
factory in Elgin; and Lester R., born December 6, 1876, is at hom
Mr. Burdick is an enterprising farmer and has a pleasant home in Ela
Township. He is a Republican in politics, having supported that party since he
attained his majority with the exception of the time when he cast his first
ballot for Stephen A. Douglas. He has for several years been School Director
and also Commissioner of Highways. Socially, he is a Master Mason, belonging
to Wauconda Lodge, No. 298, A.F.& A.M., and also holds membership with the
Grand Army Post of Wauconda. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church, and
for twenty-five years he has been the leader of the choir. This worthy couple
are well and favorably known throughout the community, and none are more
deserving of a representation in their county's history.
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