FRANK NOYES BURDICK, M. D., ex-state senator, has since 1873 been a prominent
resident of Vermillion, and is one of the leading physicians of the city. His birth
occurred at Guilford, Windham Co., Vt., on the 14th day of September, 1839. He
enjoyed fair educational advantages in both public and private schools, and early
evincing a strong desire to enter the medical profession, he subsequently became a
student in the University of Vermont, and from that excellent institution graduated
with honors in the class of ’59 after completing a four-years’ course.
Dr. Burdick at once entered upon the practice of his profession in his native town,
Guilford, where he continued to remain until 1862. He then came to Sycamore, DeKalb
Co., Ill., where the following summer love of his country led him to offer his
services to the government. He enlisted in the Eighty-eighth Illinois regiment,
infantry, was commissioned assistant surgeon, and went with his regiment to
Kentucky. After the battle of Champion Hills he was detailed on hospital work and
had charge of four hospitals, which he organized at Bowling Green. On account of ill
health the following winter he was obliged to give up his duties and relinquish
charge of the hospitals, and then, after being under treatment in Chicago for
several weeks, he resigned his commission and soon afterward resumed private
practice in Elgin, Ill., where he continued until about 1866. At that time he was
again compelled to change climate on account of ill health, and he decided to return
east. He went to New England, and for some four years practiced medicine in
Pittsfield, Mass., but in 1868 he located in Philadelphia and assumed charge of a
Greenback paper known as the Labor Tribune, until after the Greeley campaign of
1872. In July of the following year he came to Vermillion, as stated above, and here
he has since made his residence. Since coming to his present location the Doctor has
not only succeeded in building up a large and valuable practice, but he has also
closely identified himself with local and political affairs. For several years he
was the proprietor of the Dakota Republican —from 1874 to 1890— and for ten years he
served as mayor of the city of Vermillion, leaving a record of credit both to
himself and the public. In 1883 he was elected to the state senate, in which body he
served one term. Dr. Burdick was also a member of the first board of regents of the
State university, and was one of the moving spirits in locating that institution and
getting it started on a sound footing.
Dr. Burdick has been twice married, his first wedding occurring in Pittsfield,
Mass., in March, 1860, at which time he led to the altar Miss Hattie Bowker, a
native of that city. She died in Guilford, Vt., after but two short years of married
life, and Dr. Burdick was subsequently married in Vermillion to Mrs. C. H. True, the
widow of Charles H. True, the former owner of the Dakota Republican. Dr. Burdick is
a member of Miner post No. 8, G. A. R. He is active in all good works, and a man of
progressive and enterprising spirit.
File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/sd/clay/bios/burdick303gbs.txt
Source: MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota. (1897)
Author: Geo. Ogle & Co.
