Nelson Burdick was born December 27, 1820 at Point Peninsula in the Town of Lyme, the son of Adam and Elizabeth Moore Burdick. He was educated in the common schools in the Town of Lyme and at Watertown High School. 

Mr. Burdick lived in the Town of Lyme until he was 40 and served as that Town’s Supervisor in 1854.

Moving to Watertown in 1860, Mr. Burdick at once became actively interested in the industrial and public life of this city. He established a carriage making plant at the foot of Franklin Street and conducted it successfully for many years, later relocating on the site of the present Burdick Block. He served on the Board of Assessors of the city and also as a Commissioner of the Board of Public Works.

A Democrat, Mr. Burdick was elected Mayor of Watertown in 1881 and was re-elected in 1882.

He was a member of the Watertown Mason Lodge F.&A.M.

He was first married to Catherine Getman, who died after giving birth to twin daughters, Catherine Rose Delancy Burdick Carlisle and Delia Ann Eliza Burdick. After Catherine died, he married her sister, Delia Getman. The couple had three daughters, Aleta Burdick, Dora Burdick and Rose Burdick Carey, and three sons, Alfred M. Burdick, Wayne W. Burdick and Jesse D. Burdick. 

He died on February 20, 1908 at his home on Franklin Street in Watertown at the age of 87. He is buried at Brookside Cemetery.