Sudden death of Anson S Burdick, 91, on Wednesday, Feb 24, 1954, brought to an end an historical era in McKean County.
He was the last surviving member of the first generation of native-born white residents of McKean County.
He was the son of Rowland Burdick, who was one of the first settlers of McKean County who was a native of NY state and came here in 1825 with a small band of people who settled in Norwich Twp.
Rowland was married 3 times. His first wife was Alvira Webb and their first child born in 1816 was Ransom, who lived to be 103 years old. He died at the Burdick homestead near Betula in 1919.
Rowland and Alvira had 8 children, including. Rowland, Sylvester Orin, George Washington, Ira V. Benjamin, Eliza Ann (Mrs. Montague Rose), Emily Angeline (Mrs. George Chapin) and Chordis A (the father of Wellington Burdick of East Smethport).
The second Mrs. Rowland had no children and third to a widow Mrs. Mary Grigsby, who gave birth to a son Anson and daughter Leora.The latter disappeared and is presumed to have died many years ago.
Anson was fatally stricken Wednesday afternoon last week while walking on South St.
He had lived alone in the old house in which he was born Oct 24, 1862.
He was the oldest member of the Smethport Fire Department having joined on April 5, 1889. He had been a member of McKean Lodge # 388, F& AM since 1909.
Mr Burdick was married twice- to Amanda Keefer and Ida Bennett-both deceased. He had no children and his only survivors are cousins.
He worked as a plumber here for many years. He was a remarkable physical specimen. He took a walk nearly every day. He eyesight was keen without the use of glasses and he frequently drove an automobile.
He was interred in Rose Hill.
