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The sturdy Swedish nationality in the state of Michigan has
a worthy and honorable representative in the subject of this review, who for
some years past has been engaged in the real estate and insurance business at
Cadillac. Axel G. Burman inherits many of the sterling characteristics of his
Scandinavian ancestors and though still retaining fond recollections of the
fatherland and taking a pardonable pride in its splendid history and magnificent
achievements, he is nevertheless a loyal citizen of his adopted country and an
ardent admirer and earnest supporter of the laws and institutions under which he
now lives. It is a pertinent truth that much depends upon being well born, for
with the human race, as with the lower animal and vegetable kingdoms, like
invariably produces like. Fortunate indeed the individual who can point with
pride to worthy ancestors with the consciousness that he has never by word or
deed tarnished the honor of the name they have transmitted to him.
In this
respect the subject has been peculiarly blessed, first, in being well born and,
second, in worthily upholding the reputation of an old and estimable family, the
origin of which is traceable to a very early period in the history of the
Northland.
Mr. Burman was born in Sweden November 14, 1843, being the
son of Rev. Oscar and Elizabeth Mosberg Burman, the father a learned and for
many years distinguished clergyman of the Swedishi Lutheran church, who spent
all his life in his native country. He had charge of a number of congregations,
was an able and eloquent divine and died full of years and honors at the age of
seventy-three. Mrs. Burman bore her husband seven children, the subject of this
review being the next oldest of the number, and she departed this life in Sweden
when about fifty years old.
Axel G. Burman grew up in a domestic atmosphere of culture
and refinement and was given the best educational advantages his country
afforded. After receiving his preliminary training in the common schools, he
completed a high school course and then entered the University of Upsala, where
he prepared himself for the legal profession, graduating from the law department
of that institution in 1863. Opening an office, he at once engaged in practice
and soon built up a lucrative business, in addition to which he also served for
ten years as criminal prosecutor for several districts in which he lived. At the
expiration of his official term Mr. Burman began dealing in real estate, which,
with various lines of manufacture, engaged his attention until 1881, when, by
reason of a general business depression, he disposed of his interests in Sweden
and came to the United States.
After an uneventful voyage Mr. Burman landed
at New York, a stranger in a strange land, and from that city he proceeded to
Chicago, where he remained for a few months, and then engaged in railroad
construction, stone quarrying, levee building and lumbering as a common laborer,
in which work he devoted his attention from 1881 to 1887, traveling during the
interim from the lakes to the gulf and from the Alleghany to the Rocky
Mountains, having been employed by a number of the leading houses in the United
States. Severing his connection with these lines of work in 1887, he embarked on
the sea of journalism by establishing at Marinette, Wisconsin, a Swedish
newspaper called the Nordmannen, which under his able management continued to
grow in favor with his countrymen of that state until 1889, when he exchanged
the plant for a tract of land in Minnesota. Leaving Marinette, Mr. Burman
returned to Chicago, where he was engaged for some months in publishing the
Evening Blade, a paper devoted to the interest of the Swedish nationality in
that city and elsewhere, but in July of 1890 he sold the office for the purpose
of devoting his time and attention exclusively to real estate. In December,
1892, Mr. Burman visited Cadillac in the interest of a friend whom he wished to
assist in the newspaper and publishing business, intending to remain only long
enough to establish the enterprise upon a solid basis. Being pleased with the
town, however, and seeing a favorable opening for an energetic real estate man
to do a thriving business he took council of his better judgment by concluding
to make the flourishing little city his permanent place of abode. Accordingly he
wound up his affairs in Chicago and as soon as possible opened an office here,
which he has since conducted with a constantly increasing patronage, being at
this time the largest real estate dealer in Cadillac, as well as one of the
city's most widely known and highly respected citizens. In addition to real
estate he does a large and successful insurance business, is also a notary
public and has all he can attend to in his various lines. Mr. Burman has been
active in municipal affairs since locating at Cadillac, and has done much to
promote the city's material interests, having served in the capacity of
alderman.
He is classed among the best and most public spirited citizens of
the community, both as regards his business career, which is irreproachable, and
his civic capacity, which is without a stain. He is one of the leading
Swedish-Americans in this part of the state, and has great influence with his
fellow countrymen, as well as with the public in general, all who know him
recognizing his sterling worth in every relation of life. He possesses
exceptional industry and energy, is widely read and thoroughly informed, and is,
in short, a scholarly gentleman of varied culture whom to know is to respect and
honor.
Mr. Burman was married in his native land, June 16, 1868, to
Miss Erica Hellstrom, who has borne him eight children, six living, namely:
Ellen, the wife of Axel Baudin: Bertha, wife of Olaf Anderson; Halfdan, Yngre,
Atle and Rolf, all of whom reside in Sweden.
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