BARDWELL, Eli J.

BARDWELL

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 5/31/2021 at 11:36:09

Eli J. Bardwell
born 1858

E. J. Bardwell, of the firm of Walrod & Bardwell, hardware merchants, Ida Grove, is one of the prominent business men of the town. Messrs. R. P. Walrod and E. J. Bardwell established their business here in 1889. They occupy a room, 24 x 75 feet, carry a full line of shelf hardware, tinware, stoves, etc., and make a specialty of Garland stoves. Both are men of good business qualifications. They have a large trade, and have honestly earned, by diligent work, the liberal patronage which they have received.
The junior member of the firm, Mr. Bardwell, is a native of Genesee County, New York, born in 1858, son of Milton and Mary (Evans) Bardwell, descendants of New England families, who trace their ancestry back to the mother country. Milton Bardwell was born in Whately, Franklin County, Massachusetts, in 1821, son of Noah and Rachael (Bond) Bardwell, and was reared on a farm, remaining in Massachusetts until he was eighteen. At this time he came West as far as Illinois. A year later, however, he went back to New York State, and made his home there until 1864, when he came to Clinton County, Iowa. In 1882 he moved to Ida county. Here he improved a farm of 240 acres and became one of the leading farmers of the county. Since 1889 he has been retired from active life. His marriage occurred in 1847, his wife being a native of New York. Following are the names of their four children: Emogene, wife of A. Needham, of Ida county; Philena, wife of R. P. Walrod, a partner in the hardware firm referred to at the beginning of this sketch; E. J.; and Milton D., a farmer residing in Texas. The father is a Republican and a Baptist.
E. J. Bardwell was five years of age when his father moved to Clinton county, Iowa, and he was reared to farm life, in this State. In 1882 he came to Ida County and located on a farm in Corwin Township. This farm, 160 acres, was partially improved at the time he purchased it, and he placed it under a high state of cultivation, being engaged in general farming here until 1889. Since that date, as already stated, he has been identified with the hardware business in Ida Grove. Socially, he is connected with the following organizations: I. O. O. F., Ida Grove Lodge, No. 259; Encampment, No. 45, Golden Rule; and M. W. of A.
Mr. Bardwell was married in 1880 to Miss Minnie Dickinson, a native of Iowa, and their two children are named Eva and Nina.
Source: Biographical History of Crawford, Ida, and Sac Counties, Iowa, 1893, p.547