Samuel Swinfin Burdett

Who was Samuel Swinfin Burdett?

Samuel Swinfin Burdett was a U.S. Representative from Missouri.

Born in The Old Manse, Broughton Astley, bordering Sutton-in-the-Elms, Leicestershire, England where his father was Minister at the Baptist Chapel. When twelve years of age he emigrated to the United States. He worked on a farm in Lorain County, Ohio, and attended the common schools. He studied law at Oberlin College, Ohio, was admitted to the bar in 1858 and commenced practice in DeWitt, Iowa. He entered the Union Army as a private in the First Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, in May 1861. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, later becoming captain, and served until August 1864. He served as assistant provost marshal general from March 1, 1864-August 1, 1864. He moved to Osceola, St. Clair County, Missouri, in December 1865. Attorney for the seventh circuit in 1868 and 1869. He served as delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1868.

Burdett was elected as a Republican to the Forty-first and Forty-second Congresses. He served as chairman of the Committee on Manufactures. He was an unsuccessful candidate in 1872 for reelection to the Forty-third Congress. He resumed the practice of law in Osceola, Missouri. He was appointed Commissioner of the General Land Office in 1874. He engaged in the practice of law in Washington, D.C., residing at Glencarlyn, Virginia, during his last years. Commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic from 1885 to 1886. He died at The Old Manse, Broughton Astley, nr. Sutton-in-the-Elms, Leicestershire, England, September 24, 1914, whilst on a visit, in the room in which he was born. He was interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.