George Albert Bardrick

BARDRICK, BISHOP, LOVELACE, REED

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 9/9/2004 at 21:51:28

George Albert Bardrick, a prominent farmer and stockman of section 27, Douglas township, is a native of this county, born May 3, 1874. His father was George Bardrick, George being the family name for several generations back. He was born at Laten-Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England, in July, 1816, and passed away in this county in September, 1889. On the day that he entered school he unconsciously broke one of the rules, for which he was punished, with the result that he never attended school again. He began his independent career as a gardener and huckster, traveling over all parts of the country, and in that way learned all of the country dialects of England. His mother was an expert at braiding hats and he sold those as well as produce. When twenty-one years of age, in 1837, he emigrated to the United States, landing at New York. A year later he came west with his brother and settled in Sangamon county, Illinois, which district was then little more than virgin prairie and it was necessary to break the sod before crops could be planted. He did that and built a residence, continuing to improve his property until 1852. He then came to this county and purchased land near Winterset, paying therefor the government price of a dollar and a quarter per acre. In 1864 he was married to Miss Rebecca Lovelace, who was born in Smicksburg, Pennsylvania, in the vicinity of Philadelphia. Her natal day was the 3d of August, 1848, and she is still living in Winterset. Mr. Bardrick added to his original holdings from time to time and as he was an indefatigable worker and a good business man he eventually held title to nearly one thousand acres of excellent land in Madison county. He kept large herds of cattle, which ran upon the open prairie with a herder to watch them to see that they did not stray too far. He also raised large numbers of draft horses. In the early days of the county he bought and sold land extensively, taking gold in payment, and he then bought greenbacks with the gold, realizing considerable profit in his financial transactions. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church. His success was noteworthy in itself and was remarkable when one considers that he had no education and that he started out in life empty-handed, depending entirely upon his own resources. He was one of the best known citizens of this county in the early days of its history and left his impress upon its development.

George Albert Bardrick attended the Winterset schools and when twenty years of age began farming on his own account on land obtained from his father. After living upon that place for seven years he sold and bought land in Lincoln township, which he operated for seven years. For the past six years he has made his home on one hundred and twenty acres in Douglas township, which he owns and operates. The residence was one of the first frame houses erected in the township and is built of black walnut which was taken from timber upon the place. The farm is named Oak View and he was the first in the county to register a farm name. Everything about the place is kept in excellent repair, there is a good barn and a large silo, and the value of the property is further enhanced by an orchard which provides the family with an abundance of fruit. Mr. Bardrick is concentrating his attention largely upon stock-raising and feeds many head of young cattle annually, shipping them as "baby beef." He also buys, sells and ships hogs and is prospering in his undertakings, as he devotes his entire time to his business and personally sees that all details are properly taken care of.

Mr. Bardrick was married on the 13th of February, 1895, to Miss Cora Reed, a daughter of Z. S. and Hester (Bishop) Reed. She was born in a log cabin near Peru, this county. Her father was born in 1845 in Bedfordshire, England, near the birthplace of the father of our subject, and they knew each other there. Mr. Reed came to the United States with his parents when but ten years of age, the family settling in Madison county. He worked in his father's sawmill on Middle river in Lincoln township and remained at home until eighteen years of age. He then ran away and joined Company D, First Iowa Cavalry, with which he served in the Civil war for two years, being mustered out February 15, 1866, at Austin, Texas. Returning home he assisted his father, who was engaged in fruit growing, and he also worked at the carpenter's trade in Winterset, as the farm was very close to town. When he began farming on his own account he removed to Scott township, in the vicinity of Peru, and lived there until 1870. He then located near Pawnee City, Nebraska, where he took up a claim, residing in a building part cabin and part dugout. He obtained money to buy the necessary material for his cabin by selling his right to additional land. he set out .six hundred fruit trees and when not busy upon his land worked at the carpenter's trade. There were many obstacles and discouragements, and it was often necessary to fight prairie fires, but he remained in Nebraska until 1873, when he returned to Lincoln township, this county, and was associated with his father in the conduct of a sawmill on Middle river. In 1884 he went to Adair county, Iowa, and bought raw prairie land near Greenfield. He at once set to work to break the sod and in so doing plowed up twenty-three rattlesnakes in one small plot of ground. In 1890 he returned to Madison county and took up his residence upon a fruit ranch, where he raised large quantities of berries and fruits. In 1891 he built a home in Winterset and moved to that city, where he resided until his death. After taking up his abode there he continued to work at his trade to some extent. He passed away on the 7th of November, 1911; and is survived by his wife, who was born in 1847 in Indiana. Mr. Reed was throughout his life active in Sunday school and church work and for many years was superintendent of two Sunday schools, one meeting in the morning and the other in the afternoon. To him and his wife were born nine children, of whom Mrs. Bardrick is the oldest. She was but sixteen years of age when she began teaching in the country schools but later continued her education, attending the high school at Winterset and the normal school at Dexter, Iowa. She is keenly interested in all that is happening in the outside world and is an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which her husband is also a member. Both are very hospitable and their kindness is well known, many having received help from them in a time of need.

Mr. Bardrick is prominent in the local circles of the republican party, has held offices in both Lincoln and Douglas townships and has been a delegate to county and state conventions. He is one of the most valued citizens of Madison county and is not only making valuable contribution to the development of the county along the lines of agriculture and stock-raising, but is also doing much to further its moral and civic advancement.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”