Bassett Family Association Database

Rodman S. Burdick

Male - Deceased


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  • Name Rodman S. Burdick 
    Gender Male 
    Died Deceased 
    Notes 
    • 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.
    Person ID I07524  1A William Bassett of Plymouth
    Last Modified 23 Sep 2011 

    Family Harriet Bassett,   b. 13 Apr 1807,   d. Deceased 
    Married 4 Mar 1824 
    Family ID F03289  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart