Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 625 - 626 

MAURICE A. BURDICK, a farmer in good standing in Afton Township, successful as a tiller of the soil, and one who has been prominently identified with local affairs, is  the proprietor of a good farm on section 15, which comprises 160 acres, fairly improved, and a good set of frame buildings. Mr. Burdick is a Western man in every sense of the word, his native State being Wisconsin, where he was born in Madison, Jan. 16, 1852. He is consequently in the prime of life, and, as the result of good habits, is amply fitted for the duties which lie before him. 

            The parents of our subject were Lewis H. and Harriet A. (Williams) Burdick, the former a native of Vermont, and born in Fairfax County, Sept. 22, 1806. He was a carpenter by trade, a Republican in politics, and a member of the Sons of Temperance. He spent his last years in Madison, Wis., and departed this life June 1, 1883. The mother was born near Binghamton, N. Y., Sept. 5, 1821, and resides at the homestead in Madison, Wis., being now quite well advanced in years. 

            The parental household included seven children, of whom the record is as follows: Charles Edgar was born May 12, 1840, and died in the city of Rochester, N. Y., July 26, 1847; Fidelia D. was born April 6, 1848, and died Sept. 11, 1852, in Madison, Wis.; Frances Charlotte was born Feb. 7, 1850, in Madison, Wis., and died there November 14 following; Maurice A., of our sketch, was the fourth child; James R. was born Sept. 3, 1854, and died a few hours later; Emma K. was born Jan. 23, 1856, and became the wife of Simeon Moulds, a photographer, of Baraboo, Wis.; to them were born five children, one now deceased. Albert Lewis was born Nov. 13, 1858, makes his home with his mother, and occupies himself as a clerk in a dry-goods house. 

            Our subject continued under the home roof until a youth of sixteen years, acquiring a good common-school education, and then served an apprenticeship as carpenter in a sash, door and blind factory. Being now competent to provide for the wants of a family, he was united in marriage with Miss Roena Vangieson, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride, Feb. 14, 1875. Mrs. Burdick is the daughter of John C. and Rachel (Hover) Vangieson, the former a native of New Jersey. He was born Feb. 8, 1828, and was the son of Cornelius and Ellen (Lake) Vangieson, natives of Patterson, N. J., who spent their last years in New York. The mother was born Sept. 11, 1832, near Oswego, N. Y. Their seven children are recorded as follows: Lullas Eldorett married Louisa Blatz; they have two children, and are living on a farm in Kiowa, this State. Livonia Arletta taught school during her girlhood days, and later was married to Edward Beaver, who carries on farming in Afton Township; Mrs. Beaver died Oct. 17, 1880, leaving one child. Roena Ianthe, the wife of our subject, was born Oct. 20, 1858; Emma May is the wife of James Chamberlain, a farmer of Viola Township, and they have two children; Vincent Chedell married Miss Mina Bosburg, who was formerly a teacher in the public schools, and he is engaged at carpenter work in Colwich, Kan.; Etta Evaline is the wife of H. O. Thorn, a farmer residing near Kingman, and they have two children; John Morris remains at home with his parents, being a promising young man in the sixteenth year of his age. 

            Mr. and Mrs. Maurice A. Burdick have three children, namely: Mabel E., born Dec. 21, 1875, in Peru, Ill.; William A., born March 22, 1878, and Milton A., Feb. 11, 1880. The homestead includes among its other improvements a fine orchard, and Mr. Burdick has also given to the smaller fruits considerable attention, so that the household is provided with the luxuries of the season in this line. Our subject came to this county in 1876, and was welcomed as a valued accession to its numbers, and a man capable of filling the various local offices. He has officiated as Township Trustee, Clerk, Constable and School Treasurer, and socially, belongs to Goddard Lodge No. 266, I. O. O. F. He votes the straight Republican ticket, and is contributing his full quota toward the enterprises having for their object the general welfare of the community.

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