Mrs. Burdick was the daughter of Captain Jabez Campbell, and was born in Adams, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Dec. 30, 1815, and died in Milton, Rock Co., Wis., July 5, 1897, being in the 82nd year of her age. She was the youngest, and for a number of years the last surviving member, of a family of seven children. Three of these children were the brothers, Alexander, Orson, and Zuriel Campbell, so well known among Seventh-day Baptists in the generation now passing away. Of the sisters the eldest, Clarissa, married Willet Burdick, late of Utica, Wis., and was the mother of Rev. Charles A. Burdick, of Farina, Ill., and Rev. Frank O. Burdick, of North Loup, Neb. The second sister, Calista, was the wife of William Poole, of Adams, N. Y., and the third, Azubah, married William Davis, of Lincklaen, N. Y. None of these are now living. The father of this family was a military officer in the American army in the war of 1812-14, and was a descendant of the Campbells of Scotland, famous in history and song. They were sturdy defenders of the principles of religious liberty of the Scottish Presbyterian type; but early in the history of the family they all became Seventh-day Baptists.
In the 21st year of her age, Sept. 20, 1836, Adaline Campbell, the subject of this sketch, was married to Russell Green Burdick, whose home was in Persia, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., and whose first wife had died some time before, leaving him with a family of four small children. Shortly after their marriage, the family removed to what was then known as Truxton, near DeRuyter, N. Y., now known as Cuyler Hill. Here Mr. Burdick, who had preached some as a licentiate of the Methodist church, was ordained as a Seventh day Baptist minister, the late Elder James Bailey having the principal charge of the service. Mr. Burdick was soon called to Scott, N. Y., where he served as a pastor for five years, thence back to Truxton for two years, thence to Lincklaen, N. Y., for five years, and finally to Utica, Wis., in 1856, where he lived and labored for nineteen years, except two years spent as missionary pastor at Berlin, Wis. Mr. Burdick died at Utica, Sept. 22, 1875.
During these years of frequent changes and largely of pioneer work, there were born to them nine children, two of whom died in infancy, and one daughter died in the dawning of womanhood. The remaining six-four daughters and two sons-survive their mother.
These are Mrs. B. H. Stillman and Mrs. J. L. Shaw, of Milton, Mrs. J. T. Polk, of Greenwood, Ind., Rev. Geo. W. Burdick and Mrs. E. D. Coon, Milton Junction, and Rev. Clayton A. Burdick of Brookfield, N. Y. Of the four children of Mr. Burdick by his first wife, to all of whom Mrs. Burdick was a true and devoted mother, only one survives, D. D. Burdick, of Scott, N. Y. Deacon Dighton Burdick, the other son, died in Milton twelve years ago, and the two daughters, many years before.
It is worthy of mention that an unusually large proportion of Mrs. Burdick's family and near relatives have occupied and do occupy positions of prominence in the world. As already noticed, her husband, three brothers, two sons and two nephews were Seventh-day Baptist ministers. To this list are to be added two grandsons, including the son of Dighton Burdick, above mentioned, Rev. W. D. Burdick of Jackson Centre, Ohio, and Rev. Geo. Shaw of Nile, N. Y. Another grandson, Mr. Orson Stillman, is a licentiate in another denomination, and expects soon to be ordained to the work of the ministry. All of her children are, or have been, teachers, and among her grandchildren are college graduates prepared for professional study and work, and others engaged in such work. Prof. Edwin Shaw, of Milton College, is one of these.
Mrs. Burdick herself was not much in the eye of the public. Having the care of so large a family, and her husband preaching to small churches on pioneer fields, this would have been impossible had she desired it. But she did not seek it. Devoted as she was to the work in which her husband was engaged, she was more than content to live in the quiet of her own home, exercising those economies and practicing those self-denials which in no small measure contributed to the success of her husband's labors, and gave to her children those advantages which have fitted them for usefulness in the world. The heroism of such a life surpasses that of battle fields, and merits a crown of honor brighter than human hands can ever bestow. She possessed a spirit of sweet charity. Kind words for everybody and kind words about everybody were native to her lips, because her heart was free from guile. Few persons possess a more methodical mind than did she.
Though the earlier years of her life were devotedly given to the care of her family, she found time to read the denominational papers, and to the day of her death she was authority upon the persons and events of our denominational history during the long period of her natural life. During the later years of her life, when cares were laid aside, her reading took in a wider range and she became familiar with current history, politics, etc., to a remarkable degree.
Her religious life was of that even, quiet, undemonstrative but unfaltering type that belongs to a nature so evenly balanced and so nobly endowed as was hers. The Campbell blood lost none of its richness in her veins and like all the other gifts of nature her life came to its highest perfection when it was by the power of the indwelling Christ, transformed into his glorious likeness. Such transformation came to Mrs. Burdick in early youth, glorified her earth-life, and at a ripe old age was the signal for her translation to the realms of endless day.
The funeral was held July 8, in the Seventh-day Baptist church at Milton Junction, where her son, Geo. W. Burdick, is pastor, the services being conducted by L.A. Platts, pastor at Milton, after which seven grandsons tenderly bore the remains of grandmother to their resting place in the silent city. Over the open grave the memory of her blessed, Christ like life was felt to be a glorious heritage; and the words of Jesus, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever believeth in me shall never die,' brought comfort and healing to stricken hearts. L. A. P.
