Mini Bios of People of Scots Descent
Frederick A Burdick

Mr. Burdick was born in Brasher Falls, St. Lawrence county, New York, on the 17th of October, 1864, and is a son of Charles B. and Alice L. (Smith) Burdick, both of St. Lawrence county, New York. John Burdick, the grandfather of the subject, was born in Chateaugay, Franklin county, that state, and was a son of John Burdick, who came from Scotland prior to the Revolution and settled in the old Empire state, with whose history the name has been ever since identified. The father of the subject was a machinist by vocation and devoted the greater portion of his active life to this line of enterprise. In 1864 he enlisted in the Sixth New York Artillery, and met his death in an engagement in the Shenandoah valley of Virginia about six months later. In 1867 his widow removed with her family to South Bend, Indiana, where they remained about eleven years, and then removed to Minneapolis, where she passed the remainder of her life, her death occurring in 1885.

F. A. Burdick received his early education in the public schools of South Bend, Indiana. He then learned the trade of plumbing, and was engaged in this line of business for himself, at. Minneapolis, Minnesota, until February, 1892, when he started for Fort Pierre, South Dakota. Upon his arrival he engaged in the raising of sheep, securing a tract of excellent grazing land in Stanley county, and he continued in this line of industry for six years, at the expiration of which he disposed of his sheep and turned his attention to raising of horses and cattle, in which he has since been successfully engaged. His well-improved ranch is located on the Cheyenne river at the mouth of Big Plum creek, so that an ample supply of water is afforded. The ranch is located five miles south of the village of Leslie, which is the post office address of Mr. Burdick. He gives preference to the Hereford breed of cattle, his range stock in the line being three-fourths Hereford blood. He is a man of progressive ideas and superior business judgment, and is one of the loyal and enthusiastic advocates of the advantages and great resources of South Dakota, having selected this state as his place of residence in preference to the many other sections of the Union in which he has been. When he and his family took up their residence on the present homestead ranch their nearest neighbor was one mile distant, while no others were to be found save at distances varying from ten to forty miles. The famous Dupree herd of wild buffaloes grazed in the vicinity, while deer, antelope, wolves and coyotes were in evidence on every side. The family lived an isolated and somewhat lonely life for the first few years, but manifested the courage and determination which have been so characteristic of the sturdy citizens who have developed the great resources of the state. Mrs. Burdick is a lady of education and distinctive refinement. She completed her education in Tabor College, at Tabor, Iowa. In politics Mr. Burdick gives his support to the Republican party.

On the 7th of May, 1886, Mr. Burdick was united in marriage to Miss Alice L. Percival, who was born in the province of New Brunswick, Canada, being of staunch English lineage. She is a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Loye) Percival, who are now dead, and at the time of her marriage was a resident of Minneapolis. Of this union have been born five children, all but one of whom . are living, namely: Henry M., Percival S., Samuel L., Grace A. and Frederick A., Jr.