1848-1908
Adoniram Judson Burt
Railroad Auditor Michigan MI
The page 3 headline of the Detroit Times for 12 June 1908, announced that “Judson Burt is Called Suddenly by Death.” After describing his demise of the previous day, the newspaper reviewed his career and importance to the community:
Mr. Burt had been associated with the Michigan Central railroad since 1875, when he entered the company’s accounting department in a clerical capacity. He displayed such aptitude that he was promoted, soon afterwards, to the position of general bookkeeper. Subsequently he was made chief clerk, then assistant auditor and finally, in 1893, became auditor, a position he retained to his death.
Descendant of the well-known Michigan pioneer family, Mr. Burt was born in Mt. Vernon, Macomb county, Mich., in 1847, attended Kalamazoo college, and when the family moved to Marquette, worked in his father’s general store there for a short time, then came to Detroit to attend a business college. Returning to Marquette he was again associated with this father until the business went to smash in the panic of ’73. For four years previous to his entering the employ of the Michigan Central, he was collector of customs at Marquette, receiving his appointment from President Grant.
Deceased is survived by his widow and three daughters…. His mother, Mrs. Caroline Burt, is the widow of William A. Burt, whose father was conspicuous in the early history of northern Michigan and who is remembered as the inventor of the solar compass.[1]
Besides his long-time career with Michigan Central, Adoniram Judson Burt was also involved with 10 other Michigan-related railroads as secretary, treasurer or director. Since Adoniram Judson Burt did not name himself, the back story of his parents is always of interest. That back story led us to his father, William A. Burt who died on December 23, 1898, and to this news report.
William Burt died at Marquette, Monday morning, age 73. He was the youngest son of Judge Burt, inventor of the solar compass and of the typograph, the first typewriter ever made. William Burt was one of the very earliest upper peninsula pioneers. He came to this region with his father and brothers in 1846. In 1847 he was appointed United States deputy surveyor, and in 1856, surveyed the territory at the end of Lake Superior where the city of Duluth now stands, fixing the meridians, base lines, township boundaries and shore line. Mr. Burt has been engaged in mining, quarrying and milling in the upper peninsula for nearly fifty years….[2]
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[1] “Judson Burt is Called Suddenly by Death,” The Detroit Times (Detroit, Michigan), June 12, 1908, p. 3.
[2] “U. P. Pioneer Dead,” Ironwood News-Record (Ironwood, Michigan), December 24, 1898, p. 1.