Biography of Loren Z. Burdick, Daytona Beach, Volusia County, FL

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Transcribed from:  The History of Florida:  Past & Present, The Lewis Publishing Co., Vol. 
II, page 216, 1923.

BURDICK, LOREN Z.  A resident of Daytona Beach since 1896, when he came here because of the 
ill health of his wife, LOREN Z. BURDICK has become one of the successful contractors and 
builders of this part of the state, and has watched the marvelous development of the locality 
since the time that only two trails led here, the South Bridge Trail, now known as Silver 
Beach Avenue, and the Seabreeze Trail, now known as Main Street.

Mr. BURDICK was born at Clifford, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, May 24, 1850, and is a 
son of ZEBADIAH and SUSAN (IRISH) BURDICK, the former a native of Rhode Island and the latter 
of Connecticut.  The parents spent their married lives in Susquehanna County, where each 
died when fifty-five years of age, the elder BURDICK having followed an honorable career 
as a shoemaker and farmer.  LOREN Z. BURDICK passed his school days at Clifford, and on the 
completion of his education began to learn the trade of carpenter and builder.  When only 
twenty-three years of age he had been launched upon his career as a full-fledged contractor, 
and for forty-nine years he has followed this line of business.  That he is still progressing 
is shown in the fact that his last year's business was the heaviest he has experienced, amounting
to $180,000.  Mr. BURDICK is generally his own architect, drawing his own plans and carrying 
on his own business without the aid of a clerical force.  While still in Pennsylvania for a 
time, in addition to contracting, he raised sheep and farmed.  

In 1876 Mr. BURDICK was united in marriage with Miss EVA YOUNG, who was born in Benton Township, 
Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, daughter of JULIUS YOUNG, a lifetime contractor, now in the ninety-
third year of his age.  Mr. YOUNG spends his winters in Florida, making the trips to and 
from this state unaccompanied by friends or family.  His home is now at Ballston Spa, near 
Saratoga Springs.

For some time Mrs. BURDICK's health had been failing, and in 1896 she and Mr. BURDICK decided 
to come to Florida.  The appearance of Daytona Beach at the time of their arrival was not an 
inspiring one, for the homes were almost all little more than shacks, where are now to be found 
some of the most magnificent residences in the country.  Of these homes Mr. BURDICK has built 
in the neighborhood of 400 in the Triple cities, and while so doing has established a reputation 
for splendid workmanship, honorable dealing and fidelity in all business matters.  Incidentally,
while he has been working out his success, Mrs. BURDICK has fully recovered her health.  When 
they came to this locality they formed the choir and almost the entire congregation of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they have continued as the chief support, Mr. BURDICK 
having been Sunday School superintendent for years and both he and Mrs. BURDICK having been 
teachers, Mr. BURDICK has been an official member of churches of this faith since he was 
twenty-two years old.

He has always been interested in civic maters, and for 3 1/2 years served as postmaster at 
Daytona Beach and for a time was a member of the school board.  His support has always been 
at the disposal of worthy movements, of a moral, educational, religious, civic or charitable 
nature.  He belongs to the Peninsula Civic Club, while Mrs. BURDICK is a member of the 
Palmetto Club.