Santa
Clara County
Biographies
REUBEN
BURDETT
REUBEN BURDETT. The life of Reuben Burdett, a retired citizen
of San Jose, has been full of the varied experiences which come as a result of
much travel and observation in different parts of the globe, the years which he
spent before the mast in no way incapacitating him for the profitable and
pleasant pursuit of a livelihood among the pioneer conditions of a new
statehood. After nearly a score of years
in a seafaring life he decided to locate in California, which was then (in 1853)
attracting thousands of emigrants to its hard conditions, but also its promises
of a splendid future, and he accordingly settled in San Francisco. He eventually located in San Jose, where he
has remained a resident to the present time, building up for himself a position
of esteem and respect in the community.
Born in Nantucket, Mass., March 19,
1823, he was a son of Barzillai and Eunice (Robbins)
Burdett. He was reared and educated in
his native town, which borders upon the sea, and with the opportunity of
becoming a sailor constantly before him he embraced this occupation when over
sixteen years of age. His first trip was
as assistant cooper’s mate on a whaling voyage and easily acquiring a
proficiency in his duties he enjoyed the work and at the end of the voyage
sought a continuance of it. He continued
to meet with success in the years which followed, in time being promoted to the
position of first mate. He rounded the
Horn several different times and as a great part of his time was spent in the
Pacific he was more or less in touch with the attractions of California. In 1853 he decided to locate in the Golden
state and accordingly came from Massachusetts via the Isthmus of Panama,
arriving in March of that year in San Francisco. The ensuing four years he remained in that
city, for the greater part of his time driving a water cart, supplying the
citizens with water brought from a few artesian well[sic]. For a short time he was also employed as
stevedore in the warehouses on the wharf.
Anxious to take a part in the agricultural development of the country he
then purchased a squatter’s right to a ranch located three miles north of
Saratoga, Santa Clara county, where he farmed for six
years. At the end of this time he was
compelled to vacate through a technicality, and in 1868 became a deputy street
commissioner of San Jose. This position
he held for six years, when in 1874 he was elected to the office of street
commissioner for a term of four years.
On retiring from his official duties he became a contractor for the
building of the sewers of the city of San Jose, continuing in this line of work
for some time and building many miles of sewers. In 1890 he was elected a member of the city
council for a term of two years, after which he retired permanently from public
life.
The marriage of Mr. Burdett united him
with Caroline Coffin, also a native of Nantucket, Mass., who died in 1901 at
the age of seventy-four years. Of the
three children born of this union George L. is a mechanic; Ella is deceased;
and Hattie is at home. In memory of the
time when he first came to California Mr. Burdett is a member of the Santa
Clara Pioneers and takes an active interest in all their meetings. Politically he is a stanch[sic]
Republican and has always been true to the principles of his party. Well-preserved both mentally and physically,
Mr. Burdett’s days of usefulness are not over, for he still exercises a
marked influence toward the advancement of the best interests of the city and
keeps in touch with all movements of the day.
[Inserted by D.
Toole.]
REUBEN BURDETT
1884
Mar 29, Evening News, P3, San Jose, California
Sexton’s
Cow
There
has been some inquiry lately as to what has become of Sexton’s cow. The cow disappeared during the Greeley
campaign of 1872, and has never since showed herself in public. The old timers will be pleased to learn that
the cow is now in possession of Reuben Burdett.
1888
Apr 7, Evening News, P3, San Jose, California
Reuben
Burdett
The
old time Street Commissioner who was never afraid to do his duty despite the
cry of “Bosses” hereby announces himself as a candidate for said office of
Street Commissioner, with the promise that if elected he will treat every one fairly regardless of politics or worldly
condition – and bestow the patronage of the office equally among the different
parties, republicans, democrats and prohibitionists. His motto is “The poor woman’s cow has as
much right to the sidewalk as the rich corporations[sic]
lumber.”
1890
Jun 13, Evening News, P2, San Jose, California
Reuben
Burdett has sued A. Parker for $90 alleged to be due for sewer work.
1901
Nov 15, Evening News, P4, San Jose, California
Died
Burdett
– San Jose Nov. 14, 1901 Caroline C. Burdett, wife of Rueben[sic] Burdett,
mother of George L., and Hattie Burdett, and sister of Mrs. Mary J. Ray, a
native of Nantucket, Mass., aged 75 years.
1901
Nov 15, Evening News, P4, San Jose, California
Death
of Mrs. C. C. Burdett <snipped>
The
death of Mrs. Caroline C. Burdett, wife of Reuben Burdett, a well known pioneer
lady of this city, occurred at the family residence, 390 South Fifty street at
6 o’clock last evening after a week’s illness.
The deceased was a native of Nantucket, Mass., and was in her 75th year
at the time of her death. Besides her
husband, who is one of the best known pioneer residents of San Jose with whom
she lived fifty-three years, forty of which were passed in this city, she is
also survived by two children, Geo. L. and Mattie Burdett. Mrs. Mary J. Ray, who resides in this city,
is a sister of the deceased. The funeral
will be held tomorrow from the family residence, at an hour yet to be
determined. The interment will be held
in Oak Hill Cemetery.
1901
Dec 1, San Jose Mercury News, P5, San Jose, California
Reuben
Burdett Asks for Letters of Administration on His Wife’s Estate
Administration
Matters
Reuben
Burdett petitioned the probate Court yesterday for letters of administration
upon the estate of Caroline Burdett, deceased.
Mrs. Burdett died on November 14, 1901, and left an estate valued at
$1510, which consists of real and personal property. The reality[sic]
consists of a lot at Pacific Grove, and it is valued at $1500. The personal property is valued at $10. The heirs are the petitioner, and Hattie
Burdett of San Jose and George Burdett of Pacific Grove. The petition was set for hearing on December
20th, at 10 a.m. Jerome I. Van Derwerker is the attorney for the plaintiff.
1904
Dec 8, Evening News, P7, San Jose, California
Died
Burdett
– In San Jose, Cal., December 7, 1904, Reuben Burdett, beloved father of George
L. and Hattie Burdett, a native of Massachusetts, aged 81 years.
1904
Dec 9, Evening News, P1, San Jose, California
Reuben
Burdett Buried Today
The
funeral of Reuben Burdett, a pioneer resident of this city who died on
Wednesday, was held from the family residence this morning. The services were largely attended and the
members of the Santa Clara County Pioneers were present in a body. The interment was at Oak Hill cemetery. Mr. Burdett was a native of
Massachusetts and was 81 years of age.
He came to California in 1853 and six years later took up his residence
in this valley. He was a member of the
Common Council for a number of years and served as street superintendent.
1904
Dec 9, The San Francisco Call, P7, San Francisco,
California
Death
of a Former Councilman
San
Jose, Dec. 8 – Reuben Burdett, who came to California in 1853 and who had
served San Jose as Street Commissioner and Councilman, died last evening. In the early days he supplied San Francisco
with water, distributing it in barrels.
1907
Dec 14, Evening News, P4, San Jose, California
Law
and Motion
In
the matter of the application of Hattie Burdett for a decree vesting the
homestead of Reuben Burdett – Decree granted.
Transcribed by Donna Toole.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Page 1149. The Chapman Publishing
Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Donna Toole.