Samuel Swinfin BURDETT, Congress, MO (1836-1914)

BURDETT, Samuel Swinfin, a Representative from Missouri; born at Sutton-in-the-Elms, Leicestershire, England, February 21, 1836; when twelve years of age immigrated to the United States; worked on a farm in Lorain County, Ohio, and attended the common schools; studied law at Oberlin College, Ohio, was admitted to the bar in 1858 and commenced practice in Dewitt, Iowa; entered the Union Army as a private in the First Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, in May 1861; promoted to the rank of lieutenant, later becoming captain, and served until August 1864; assistant provost marshal general from March 1, 1864-August 1, 1864; moved to Osceola, St. Clair County, Mo., in December 1865; attorney for the seventh circuit in 1868 and 1869; delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1868; elected as a Republican to the Forty-first and Forty-second Congresses (March 4, 1869-March 3, 1873); chairman, Committee on Manufactures (Forty-second Congress); unsuccessful candidate in 1872 for reelection to the Forty-third Congress; resumed the practice of law in Osceola, Mo.; appointed Commissioner of the General Land Office in 1874; engaged in the practice of law in Washington, D.C., residing at Glencarlyn, Va., during his last years; commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, 1885-1886; died at Sutton-in-the-Elms, Leicestershire, England, September 24, 1914; interment in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present