He was married to Blanche Blick Burnham ( February 25 , 1862 - December 22 , 1939 ) of Nevada , Iowa for 55 years . She accompanied him in very primitive conditions through many travels in both the Southwest United States and Southern Africa . Burnham 's wife of 55 years , Blanche Blick Burnham ( February 25 , 1862 - December 22 , 1939 ) of Nevada , Iowa , accompanied him in very primitive conditions through many travels in both the Southwest United States and Southern Africa .