Carey, Charles Henry. "History of Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago-Portland: Pioneer Historical Pub. Co., 1922. p. 634. HON. DENTON GRAVES BURDICK Among the prominent members of the Oregon legislature is Hon. Denton Graves Burdick, of whom the Oregon Voter in commenting on the various members of the legislature says: "He is especially interested in good roads and irrigation legislation; a powerful factor in promoting enactment of constructive measures and in defeating freak bills; acts and votes independently of popular prejudice. He is a forceful speaker and a resourceful leader." A native of Michigan, Denton Graves Burdick was born in that state on the 25th of March, 1891, a son of Nelson A. and Minerva (Hicks) Burdick. He received his education in the schools of his native state and at the age of sixteen years graduated from the high school. He then attended college for a year and worked his way through the law department of the University of Iowa. In 1912 he came to Oregon with his father who was extensively interested in irrigated land development in the Deschutes valley and he located in Redmond, Deschutes county, where he opened offices for the practice of his profession and soon won recognition as the result of his ability. The zeal with which he devoted his energies to his profession, the careful regard evinced for the interests of his clients and an assiduous and unrelaxing attention to all the details of his cases, brought him a large clientage and made him successful in its conduct. In 1913 he became police judge, a position in which he was active until 1917, when he was elected to the Oregon legislature from the twenty-first district embracing Cook, Deschutes, Grant, Jefferson, Klamath and Lake counties, and though but twenty-five years of age he soon won a prominent place in that body. In 1919 he was re-elected and the popularity he had achieved as a member of the legislature was evinced by his becoming minority candidate for the speakership. In 1921 he was again elected and he is now active in that capacity. He has not given his entire attention to politics, however, for in 1919 with his father, he organized the Redmond National Bank, becoming vice president, while his father was made cashier. He is likewise treasurer and manager of the Burdick Mortgage Company and he took an active part in the Central Oregon Development League and in the Oregon Irrigation Congress. He is especially interested in land interests and irrigation projects and has handled much important litigation along that line. In 1913 occurred the marriage of Hon. Mr. Burdick to Miss Zoa Mae Bronson, a daughter of Earl Bronson of Spencer, Iowa. Mr. Bronson is one of the best known citizens of that state and for years has been proprietor of the Spencer Herald and postmaster of Spencer. To Mr. and Mrs. Burdick two children have been born: Denton G. (II), and Bronson. Mrs. Burdick is prominent in the social circles of the community and is regarded as a model mother and housewife. Both she and her husband are members of the Episcopal church and are active in all church affairs. Hon. Denton Graves Burdick is practically a self-made man and one any community would be proud to have as a citizen. He is thoroughly versed in the principles of jurisprudence and as a member of the governing body of Oregon is courageously true to the interests of the people he represents. The path of his success has been the path of common sense and what he has achieved has not come by accident. Longfellow says: "The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well, and doing well whatever you do without a thought of fame. If it comes at all it will come because it is deserved, not because it is sought after." Transcriber's additional notes: "History of Oregon" Author: Charles Henry Carey Publisher: Pioneer Historical Pub. Co. Chicago-Portland; 1922; Vol. 3, Page 618 From the biography of Max Alden Cunning: "In the acquirement of an education Max Alden Cunning attended the grade and high schools of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and then removing west with his parents he entered the University of California. He pursued a law course in that institution and was graduated in 1913, with the LL.B. degree. Immediately after admission to the bar he visited friends who had moved from Iowa to Redmond, Oregon, and liking the town, he decided to make it his home. He associated with Hon. D. G. Burdick in the practice of his profession, the firm being known as Burdick & Cunning, and from the beginning he was unusually prosperous in every respect. At the termination of four years the association was discontinued by the retirement of Mr. Burdick and since that time Mr. Cunning has practiced alone. He has won a position of prominence among the members of the legal profession in Oregon and the success which he has attained is due to his own efforts. He has frequently been called upon to fill public office and for several years he was city recorder and was deputy district attorney for two years." Census 1900, June 1; Chippewa Co, MI; Sault St. Marie Wd 1, p 95, 994 Pine st. Nelson A. Burdick, 29, Dec 1870, IA, PA, PA, mar 10 yrs, chief of police, rents Minnie, wife, 28, July 1871, IA, NY, CT, mar 10 yrs, 2 children-2 living Denton, son, 9, March 1891, MI, IA, IA, att. school Eva?, dau, 7, April 1893, MI, IA, IA, att. school Katie Mutart, servant, 12, May 1888, CAN, CAN,CAN, att. school Frank Atwood, boarder, 43, Feb 1857, NY, NY, NY, city treasurer 1910, April 20; Cass Co, ND; Fargo Wd 3, p 169, 408 8th ave st. N. A. Burdick, 40, IA, PA, PA, 1st mar, mar 20 yrs, credit man Minerva, wife, 41, IA, NY, CT, 1st mar, mar 20 yrs, 4 children-3 living Denton, son, 19, MI, IA, IA, student, law office Ewa/Eva, dau, 17, MI, IA, IA Dunbar, son, 4/12, ND, IA, IA Ella Skog, servant, 17, MN, Swe, Swe, single 1920, January 2; Deschutes Co, OR; Redmond Wd 1, p 240, A st. Denton G. Burdick, 28, MI, IA, MN, lawyer, general practice Zoa A, wife, 29, IA, IA, IA Denton G, son, 3, Or, MI, IA Bronson, son, 1, OR, MI, IA ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.