The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume III,
pg. 403-404

FRANK G. BURDETT, whose experience has covered the im-
portant field of teaching, farming, civil engineering and
building contracting, has been a resident of Charleston since
November, 1890.  In October, 1909, he was appointed
county road engineer, and has been in continuous service
from that date to the present. Every mile of modern high-
way in Kanawha County has been built since he came into
this office. He has supervised and handled the technical
problems involved in a large part of the improvements which
have already gone far toward giving this county a system
of high class roadways.

Mr. Burdett was born in Fayette County, West Virginia,
Septcmber 14. 1856. son of David Clarkson and Susan
(Byera) Burdett, and moved to Roane County with his
parents. The old homestead where he was reared was on
the line between Roane and Jackson counties. His father
was a farmer all his life and died at the age of seventy-
three. Frank G. Burdett remained on the farm until he was
past thirty-two years of age. He acquired a good educa-
tion, and from the age of nineteen to thirty he taught
school in the rural district. At the same time he did farm
ing, and early took up the work of land surveying. From
this he broadened out into contracting and building, and in
1890 located in Charleston, where many residences of the
city attest his skill and handiwork. Mr. Burdett continued
active in this business until October, 1909, when the County
Court appointed him county road engineer, and he has been
in that office continuously. It was in 1913 that the first
stretch of three miles of improved highway was constructed
from Charleston north towards Sissonville. This was an
asphalt concrete road.  At the present time Kanawha
County has about sixty-four miles of hard surface road, with
extensions being made every year. This was done by con-
tract and some by the county. Mr. Burdett has looked after
the technical details, and has supervised the building of
many county bridges.

Mr. Burdett is a republican, and has been active in the
party through every campaign since he became of age. He
married Maude C. Swaar, who died in 1892, and later he
married her sister, Elizabeth Swaar, both of Kanawha
County. All of his children are of his first marriage, Nat
C., Tom S. and Susie S. Nat is a graduate of West Virginia
University and is an attorney and coal producer living in
Morgantown. Tom S. received his education at West Vir-
ginia University, and is a civil engineer at Charleston.
Susie S. died in infancy. The son Nat married Margaret
Davis, of Morgantown, and they have a son, Bobby.


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