A. Delos Burdick was born in Alfred, N. Y., Dec. 22, 1828, and died in Milton, Wis., June 29, 1907, in the 79th year of his age. His parents were Edward Burdick and Susana Stillman Burdick, both of whom were of Rhode Island parentage born in the later part of the 18th century. To this worthy couple were born five children - four sons and one daughter - all of whom, except the youngest son, are now dead. The daughter, wife of the late Horace Hamilton, died in Milton a little more than eleven years ago. The remaining son, Alfred D. Burdick, is well known in Milton.
When the subject of this sketch was 13 years of age he came with his parents to Wisconsin, then the Northwestern Territory, arriving in Milton Sep. 12, 1841. In 1849 he returned to Alfred and worked for some time in the Potterville woollen factory. He was there employed as a painter on the depots and other buildings of the Western division of the Erie Railroad which was then under construction; and in 1853 returned to Milton. Then came the years of the civil war, and on Oct. 7, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, 13th Wisconsin Infantry, in which he was elected 2d Lieutenant and received his commission Oct. 30, which after six months he was compelled to resign on account of failing health. About one year later, he obtained employment as a clerk in the commissary department of his old regiment and was stationed at Nashville, Tennessee.
In the fall of 1880 he engaged in carriage painting for Fish Brothers in Racine, and subsequently with the Racine Wagon and Carriage Company where he was foreman of the finishing department, remaining with that firm till the fall of 1888, when he was elected county Treasurer of Rock County, which office he held for three consecutive terms of two years each. Removing to Walworth he, although a pronounced Republican, was appointed by a Democratic administration, to the office of postmaster, which office he held till again compelled by failing health to resign his position, after which he came again to Milton where he has since resided.
On Christmas day 1857, Mr. Burdick was most happily married to Miss Mary F. Bond, daughter of Deacon Jonathan Bond, whose family has been well known to the citizens of Milton for more than 50 years. Of this union two daughters were born - twins - one of whom died in infancy, the other, wife of Dr. Edward Campbell of Walworth, remains to comfort her mother in this their great bereavement.
The parents of Mr. Burdick were from strongly religious families and in early youth he made a public confession of his faith in Christian baptism, uniting it is thought, with the 2d S. D. B. church of Alfred. On coming to MIlton, with his father and mother, he brought his membership by letter to the S. D. B church here, then but two or three years after its organization. For a few years, while living away from Milton, this relation was discontinued, but on returning to Milton nine or ten years ago, he again united with the church and walked happily in this fellowship to the end.
Mr. Burdick was too well known in Milton to need extended encomium. Everyone who knew him, knew him as a sweet spirited companionable man, full of charity for others. He was a man of versitle talent as shown by the variety of employments which he found from young manhood to old age. In his youth and prime he was a sweet singer and took prominent part in the musical performances of his time. His penmanship, both plain and ornamental, showed a fine artistic gift and gave pleasure to all who saw it. He kept this hand to a remarkable degree to the last. His patriotism was manifest not only in his services as a soldier, but in the interest he took in governmantal affairs in private life. His religious instincts and impulses appeared in early youth and were present with him through life. The Bible, especially the Psalms and the gospel of John, was a continual solace to him. His affiliation was with the Seventh-day Baptist church having entered its fellowship in his native state 65 years ago.
The funeral was held at the house Monday at 2 o'clock conducted by his pastor Dr. Platts. Music was furnished by a quartet of mixed voices led by Mrs. J. Fred Whitford. The large attendance of old friends and acquiaintances bore elequent witness to the high esteem in which he was everywhere held.
