U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Burdett, Samuel C. (1847-1927) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Men of West Virginia, Volume II Biographical Publishing Company George Richmond, Pres.: C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas. Chicago, Illinois, 1903 Pages 493-494 SAMUEL C. BURDETT, a prominent attorney at Charleston, West Virginia, who bears the reputation of being the best criminal lawyer in the State, was born September 16, 1847, in Scioto County, Ohio. He is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Ratcliffe) Burdett, the former of whom was born in England and the latter in Pennsylvania. Samuel Burdett, our subject's father, was for a long period known as a skilled painter and interior decorator and his artistic work won him ample means and an extended clientele. In his later years he engaged in teaching, dying at the age of 52 years, in 1869. His widow resides at Ironton, Ohio, spending the evening of life with one of her daughters. A family of eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Burdett, five of whom reached maturity: Fannie, Mary, Lizzie, Sue B., who is assistant principal of one of the public schools of Ironton, Ohio, a very prominent educator; Robert, in the employ of the Georgia Railroad; and Samuel C., of this sketch. Samuel C. Burdett was educated in the public schools of Ohio, and learned the trade of painter and decorator and followed the craft until 1880. In the meantime he had prepared himself for entrance to the bar and was admitted in West Virginia. He removed to Charleston, Kanawha County, in November, 1870, where he has resided ever since. He has made a success in his profession and the able manner in which he has handled noted cases and his thorough comprehension of criminal law has given him a reputation and a business which reaches over the State. Thus his election as prosecuting attorney for Kanawha County, West Virginia, in 1884, was most judicious and he held the position until 1889, having previously been assistant prosecutor, from 1883 to 1885. In June, 1889, he was appointed assistant United States district attorney, under President Harrison's administration, and served four years until the change of administration. Upon the election of the late beloved President McKinley, he was re-appointed to the office, but in 1900 resigned it in order to confine his attention to an absorbing private practice. Mr. Burdett has always been actively interested in politics and is stanch in his adherence to the principles of the Republican party. He has "stumped" the State during every political campaign for the last 20 years, and, as he is a clear, forcible and logical speaker, is of the greatest service to his party, being known as the "Little Giant of Kanawha." Mr. Burdett was married, first, to Miss Taylor of Louisiana and eight children were born to them. His second marriage was to Miss Cunningham, who was born in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, and two children were born to this marriage. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1900 Census, Kanawha County, WV ED:46, Charleston, Ward 3, Sheet 17A 181 Shade Street; Lines 36-41 BURDETTE, S. C. (head) born Sep-1847, OH-Eng-PA, Atty-at-Law ", Mary Louisa (wife) born Apl-1869, mar-4-yrs, 2-ch/1-living, WV-VA-WV ", S. C. Jr. (son) born Aug-1879, WV-OH-LA, Salesman grocery ", Charles (son) born Apl-1882, WV-OH-LA, Messenger W.N.Tel Co ", Frederick C. (son) born Mch-1889, WV-OH-LA, at School ", James C. (son) age 7/12, WV-OH-WV ------------------------------------------------------------------- From Death Certificate, Kanawha County, WV #1964 FULL-NAME: Samuel C. Burdette BIRTH-DATE: September 23, 1846 BIRTH-PLACE: Ohio DEATH-DATE: February 22, 1927 (at age 80y-4m-29d) DEATH-PLACE: 1710 Va. St, Charleston, Kanawha County, WV USUAL-RESIDENCE: 1710 Va. St, Charleston, Kanawha County, WV MARITAL-STATUS: Married (Mollie Burdette) OCCUPATION: Retired FATHER: Samuel R. Burdette (born in England) MOTHER: Sarah Ratliff (born in Pa.) CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Hemorrhage of brain / Senility INFORMANT: Frank C. Burdette (city) BURIAL: Spring Hill Cemetery ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Kanawha County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/kanawha/bios.html -------------------------------------------------------------------