From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

pages 557-558

J. L. Burdick, one of the pioneers of Steuben County, Ind., was born in Windham County, Vt., April 10, 1825, son of Jared and Lurancy (Franklin) Burdick, his father a native of Connecticut and his mother of Massachusetts. They were married in 1820 and settled in Vermont. In 1836 they moved to Steuben County, going from Vermont to Troy, N. Y.; thence to Buffalo, where they took a boat for Detroit. At Detroit they bought an ox team and came across the country to Indiana. They settled in the eastern part of Jamestown Township, in the oak openings, and there they made a home and lived thirty years. They afterward moved to Hillsdale, Mich., where they died. They had a family of twelve children-- Charles, of Washington County, Neb.; Jared L., our subject; Amanda, deceased, married Charles T. Dewey; Mary, wife of Asa Waterhouse, of Coldwater, Mich.; Eunice E., widow of Dr. S. L. Dart, lives in Fremont; Harriet A., wife of Charles D. Chadwick; Melissa, wife of Charles T. Gilbert; Lydia A., wife of Jacob Michael; Frank L., of Mendon, Mich.; Frederick, of Nebraska, and two who died in infancy. Jared L. Burdick grew to manhood in Steuben County, receiving his education in the common schools. He was married Feb. 29, 1852, to Sarah A. Sowles, a native of Oneida County, N. Y., born April 5, 1831, daughter of A. W. A. Sowles. Soon after their marriage, March 15, 1852, they started for California, crossing the plains and arriving at Placerville the first of August. They remained in California till 1856, when they returned East by water, landing in New York, and thence to Indiana. Since his return to Steuben County he has followed agricultural pursuits, and now has a pleasant home in Fremont Township. Mr. and Mrs. Burdick have three children. Edgar was the first white child born in Placerville, Cal.; Ida is the wife of William Wells, of Angola; Arta lives with her parents. Mr. Burdick is a member of Northeasten Lodge, No. 210, F. & A. M.

Submitted by Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com