Samuel Swinfin Burdett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samuel Swinfin Burdett
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri's 5th district |
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| In office March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1873 |
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| Preceded by | Richard Schell |
| Succeeded by | John Hardy |
| 12th Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic | |
| In office 1885–1886 |
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| Preceded by | John S. Kountz |
| Succeeded by | Lucius Fairchild |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 21, 1836 Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, England |
| Died | September 24, 1914 (aged 78) Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, England |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Education | Oberlin College |
Samuel Swinfin Burdett (born February 21, 1836 – died September 24, 1914) was an important American politician. He served as a U.S. Representative for the state of Missouri. This means he was elected to represent the people of Missouri in the United States government.
Biography
Early Life and Education
Samuel Swinfin Burdett was born in England on February 21, 1836. His family lived in a place called The Old Manse in Broughton Astley, Leicestershire. His father was a minister, which is like a pastor, at a church nearby.
When Samuel was twelve years old, he moved with his family to the United States. They settled in Lorain County, Ohio, where he worked on a farm and went to local schools. He later studied law at Oberlin College in Ohio. In 1858, he passed his exams to become a lawyer and started his practice in DeWitt, Iowa.
A Soldier and Politician
Samuel Burdett strongly believed that slavery should be ended. He joined John Brown in May 1856 during a time of conflict called Bleeding Kansas. This was a period when people fought over whether Kansas would allow slavery or not.
When the American Civil War began, Samuel joined the Union Army in May 1861. He started as a private soldier in the First Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Cavalry. He was a brave soldier and was promoted to lieutenant, then to captain. He served in the army until August 1864. For part of his service, from March to August 1864, he worked as an assistant provost marshal general, which meant he helped with military police duties.
After the war, in December 1865, he moved to Osceola, Missouri. He continued his law career there. In 1868, he was chosen as a delegate to the Republican National Convention, where important decisions for the Republican Party are made.
In 1869, Samuel Burdett was elected to the United States House of Representatives as a Republican. He served two terms, from March 4, 1869, to March 3, 1873. During his time in Congress, he was the chairman of the Committee on Manufactures, which dealt with laws about factories and goods made in the country. He tried to get re-elected in 1872 but was not successful.
Later Years and Legacy
After leaving Congress, Samuel Burdett went back to practicing law in Osceola, Missouri. In 1874, he was appointed as the Commissioner of the General Land Office. This was an important job that managed public lands for the U.S. government.
Later in his life, he practiced law in Washington, D.C.. He lived in a place called Glencarlyn, Virginia, during his final years. From 1885 to 1886, he was the Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. This was a group for Union Army veterans of the Civil War.
In 1888, Samuel Burdett and his partner, George W. Curtis, helped to create the neighborhood of Glencarlyn in Arlington, Virginia.
When he was older, Samuel decided to visit the place where he was born in England. He traveled to The Old Manse in Broughton Astley, Leicestershire. Sadly, he became ill and passed away there on September 24, 1914, in the very room he was born in. He was buried with his wife, Nancy, at Arlington National Cemetery, a famous burial ground for American heroes.
Legacy
A community in Burdett, Missouri is named after Samuel Swinfin Burdett.
