PROF. S. G. BURDICK, the efficient County Superintendent of Public Schools of Marion County, who now makes his home in Centralia, was born in Madison County, N. Y., January 20, 1842, and comes of an old New England family.
His great-grandfather, Ebenezer Burdick, was an officer in the Revolutionary War.
His grandfather, Ebenezer Burdick, Jr., was a native of Connecticut, and his father, Silas Burdick, was born in Oneida County, N. Y. The former married Rachel Clute, whose father was a Captain in the Revolutionary War. The family also had its representatives in the War of 1812, Ebenezer Burdick taking part in the battle of Sackett's Harbor. He was a carpenter and mechanic and a very ingenious man.Silas Burdick was reared in New York, and in Madison County wedded Phoebe Crandall, daughter of Augustus Crandall, who served in the War of 1812 and was a son of one of the Revolutionary heroes.
About 1790 the Crandall family removed to Madison County, N. Y., where Augustus lived until his death. Mrs. Burdick was there born December 3, 1819, and in February, 1839, was married. They afterward removed to Allegany County, N. Y., where Mr. Burdick still makes his home. For many years he engaged in farming and carpentering. His wife passed away in August, 1892. All of their five children grew to mature years and four are yet living:
The father and his family all belong to the Seventh Day Baptist Church and he takes an active part in its work.
From the age of two years Professor Burdick was reared in Allegany County, N. Y., and aided in the arduous task of clearing and developing a farm.
He attended the public schools of the neighborhood, and at the age of seventeen entered Alfred University, but in August, 1861, the young freshman abandoned his studies and responded to the President's call for three hundred thousand volunteers, enlisting in Company C, Eighty-fifth New York Infantry. He was with McClellan in the campaigns of 1862 and participated in the battles of Hampton Roads, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Wilderness, Carrsville, Goldsboro, Little Washington, and Plymouth, where he was captured April 19, 1864. He was then sent to Andersonville Prison, and after about four months was taken to Charleston, a month later to Florence, S. C., and thence to Goldsboro, N. C., where he was parolled in March, 1865. When captured, his weight was one hundred and seventy pounds, and when released weighed only eighty-seven pounds. He was wounded in the battle of Fair Oaks and at Plymouth. After his release from southern prisons he served as clerk in the paymaster's department in Elmira, N. Y., until honorably discharged, June 9, 1865, at the close of the war.
On the 8th of July following, Mr. Burdick married Miss Martha A., daughter of George Irish. Her father was a native of Rhode Island and was a farmer and lumberman. His grandfather was one of the Revolutionary soldiers,and in his home General Prescott was captured. George Irish married Mary S. Adams, whose father was a cousin of John Quincy Adams, and they removed to Allegany County, N. Y., where Mrs. Burdick was born March 31, 1848. She is a lady of culture and refinement, and for thirty years, both before and aftor her marriage, engaged in teaching. Her maternal grandfather was born at South Braintree, Mass., the old Adams country seat. Unto Professor and Mrs. Burdick were born a son and daughter, both now deceased.
Professor Burdick purchased a farm in Fayette County, ILL., and there he and his wife engaged in teaching for four years. In 1870 they came to Centralia, and he was employed as Principal of the Third Ward School for three years. During the next six years they both followed teaching in Allegany County, N. Y., and also in Steuben County, N. Y., for a year. Mr. Burdick was Principal of the schools in Andover for five years, and both he and his wife were teachers in Friendship Academy. They also attended the State Normal in Geneseo. Going to the state of Washington, Professor Burdick served as Principal of the schools of Dayton and as Superintendent of Columbia County. lie holds state certificates from New York, Wisconsin and Washington. In 1882 he came to Centralia, and the same year was elected City Superintendent, which position he filled continuously until 1890, with the exception of one year (1886-87), when he was Principal of the schools of Montrose City, Colo. In the fall of 1890 he was elected Superintendent of Schools of Marion County and is the present incumbent of that office. His wife was for eight years Principal of th,e high school of Centralia and is recognized as one of the most efficient lady educators in the state.
In politics the Professor is a Republican and has served as Justice of the Peace in Fayette County. He has been Commander of Wallace Post No. 55, G. A. R., of Centralia, and for two years was chief mustering officer of the department of Illinois.
He was also Junior Vice Commander and was a delegate to the National Encampments in Boston and Detroit. He has been very prominent in Grand Army work and has done much for the order. He is now Captain of Company K, Fourth Illinois National Guards, and was a Lieutenant of the National Guards both in Colorado and Washington.
He and his wife hold membership with the Seventh Day Baptist Church.
Ever since becoming County Superintendent of Schools it has been the constant endeavor of Professor Burdick to grade the district schools and advance the standard of education. During his administration sixteen schoolhouses have been built, and the excellence of the schools is such that the citizens may well be proud of the educational privileges here afforded. That Professor Burdick is a most competent and faithful officer, and that he has the confidence of all, is shown by the fact of his frequent re-election on the Republican ticket in a Democratic county. He is prominent in military and educational circles, and his broad and cultured mind and his many excellencies of character well entitle him to the leading position which he occupies.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 299 & 300
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer