His grandfather assumed full ownership in 1848, which was passed along to his sons, and in 1881 was reorganized as Burden Iron Works.

Following his graduation, he studied for a year at Harvard Law School before going to work at the family company in 1894 and assuming the presidency in 1906 upon his father's death.

[8] In 1910, then Democratic candidate, and eventually, New York Governor, John A. Dix spoke in Troy about the burden of overtaxation.

Dix was then hosted for dinner by James, a Republican who had recently announced his intention to support the Democratic nominee.

[5] As a wedding gift for Burden and his bride, his father-in-law commissioned Warren & Wetmore to design and build a residence at 7 East 91st Street on Carnegie Hill in New York City.