William C. Burdick is the second son of Amos and Anstis Clark Burdick, and was born in Alfred Nov. 26, 1829. He worked on his father's farm, and usually attended school at Alfred Academy winters, and when of age he entered the service of Judge Clark Crandall, at that time a dealer in cheese. After a few years he, with Ira B. and Ezra P. Crandall, organized the Allegany Cheese Company, which continued and greatly enlarged the cheese trade of the town of Alfred. Purchasing the interests of his partners, Mr. Burdick for many years conducted the business alone, but in 1886 Calvin D. Reynolds and Wm. C. Dunham were taken into partnership under the firm name of Wm. C. Burdick & Co. This business, practically established and managed by Mr. Burdick, has, for more than 40 years, continued to be one of the most prosperous business enterprises of Western New York. Mr. Burdick has twice represented his town on the board of supervisors (1874, 1875), and has served Alfred University as trustee continuously since 1857. He married Susan Sherman, of Alfred, June 19, 1856, who died in February, 1863. He afterwards married Mrs. Amanda (Crandall) Prescott, of Chicago, Ill. His daughters are Juliaette (dec.), the wife of William C. Dunham, and Susan M., who is connected with the Seventh-day Baptist mission at Shanghai, China.
