Alberne H. Burdick was born in Little Genesee, N. Y., January 1, 1849, and died in New Market, N. J., January 12, 1926. He was the oldest in the family of B. Franklin and Julia A. Crandall Burdick. For thirty-five years he lived in the place of his birth except a few years spent in Alfred, N. Y. Here in his native town was developed the skill in carpentering which trade he followed successfully during the subsequent years.
During his stay in Alfred he met Miss Josephine Dunham, whom he recognized as the one necessary to his future happiness, and won her consent to share that future. After their marriage they made their home in New Market, where the rest of his life was spent. He became a contractor and builder and established such a degree of confidence in the minds of the people of the locality that when he was employed to build a house they knew it would be done in the most approved way.
On coming to New Market he allied himself with the Piscataway Seventh Day Baptist Church, and was a most beloved and devoted member. He was for several years the chorister of this church and was himself a fine singer. As a Bible student and teacher in the Sabbath school he won for himself the respect and gratitude for those who had the good fortune to be in his class. This efficiency was developed through fifty years of almost continuous teaching. The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. He was traveling the path that led toward the sunrise. Jesus said to him as he was here building honest houses for other people, I go to prepare a place for you. He was anxious to live on account of his invalid wife, to whom he devoted the tenderest care.
The high esteem in which Brother Burdick was held is witnessed by the very large company of relatives and friends and the profusion of flowers that were seen at the farewell services on Sabbath afternoon, January 16. He leaves the invalid wife, two sons Frank F., of Dunellen; Harold O., of Salem, W. Va., now in post graduate work in the University of Wisconsin; two daughters Mrs. Mark Sanford, of Little Genesee, N. Y.; and Grace, teacher in the Wayne, Pa., schools, and a sister, Agnes, upon whom for a number of years has devoted the care of the home.
Pastor Van Horn was assisted in the services by Rev. George B. Shaw, of Salem, W. Va., and the former pastor, Rev. W. D. Burdick. The body was laid to rest in Hillside Cemetery, Plainfield.
T. J. V. H.
