Hon. Luther Ingalls Burditt, for many years a prominent attorney of
Cooperstown, now living retired, was born in Duanesburg, Schenectady Co., NY
December 26, 1810.  He is a son of Wigglesworth Burditt, who was born in
Boston in 175, and removed to the State of New York while yet a young man.
The latter was one of the patriots of the war of 1812-15, and rendered
valuable service to the Government of the United States by removing heavy
ordnance from Hudson to Sacket's Harbor.  In 1817 he removed to Cooperstown,
and died there in 1820.  The maiden name of his wife, the mother of the
subject of sketch, was Sarah Wood, daughter of Daniel Wood, a soldier of the
Revolutionary war, serving under General Stark in the battle of Bennington,
and being assigned to the duty of guarding prisoners on their removal to
Cheshire, Berkshire co., Mass.  Mrs. Sarah Burditt was left a widow with two
children, named Levi and Luther Ingalls.  After the death of her husband she
went with her children to live with her brother Levi, in the town of
Middleton, and there the subject of this sketch was reared.  His youthful
days were spent n the farm and in the district school, during the summer and
winter seasons respectively, until he was seventeen years of age, when he
began teaching in the Mohawk Valley.  For some years he taught during the
winter season, and in the summer worked on the farm, in this way earning
money with which to pay for his advanced education at the Clinton Liberal
Institute.  In 1839, with a small capital saved from his earnings, he
established himself in the grocery business at Cooperstown, but as he
unfortunately carried on a credit business, at the end of two years he found
himself financially embarrassed, and compelled to suspend business.  He then
turned his attention to the study of law, entering the office of
Starkweather & Field, being admitted to the bar in due time, and at once
entering on a successful practice, in which he continued for many years.  As
soon after commencing practice as his means would permit he began dealing in
real estate, first buying property in and around the village, which he laid
off into lots and sold.  Later he became interested in farm property, and
from time to time increased his landed possessions, now owning some 700
acres in Otsego county.  He continues to maintain a home in Cooperstown,
though he spends but little of his time there, having a beautiful summer
home on the St. Lawrence River, and spending his winters in Florida.
 
In 1830 he married Eliza Clark, who was a daughter of Caleb and Sally (Dennison) 
Clark, both natives of Brooklyn, Conn.  Mr. and Mrs. Burditt have four children 
living, viz:  Byron W., Mary E., Sarah J. and William Dean.  In politics Mr. 
Burditt gives his allegiance to the Democratic party, and during the late war of 
the Rebellion was what was known as a War Democrat.  He has filled various 
offices of trust - serving as School Inspector several years, representing 
Cooperstown on the County Board of Supervisiors, and being a member of the 
building committee when the present courthouse was erected.  he has also served 
as a member of the State Assembly, to which honorable position he was elected in 
1865.  While a member of the Assembly he secured the legislation necessary to 
the building of the Cooperstown & Susquehanna Valley Railroad, and was the first 
President of the company.  He has also served as director, Vice President and 
attorney for the First National Bank.