JACOB BARDEL, a prominent and representative citizen, an early settler and successful farmer, is now living in retirement at his old home on section 18 in Ridott Township. Mr. Bardel was born in the province of Alsace, then a part of France, Dec. 22, 1813. His father, Jacob Bardel, Sr., was a native of the same Province and of German parentage, but was born under the French Government. He grew to manhood, following the occupation of a farmer, and was married to Miss Mary Bastian. After the birth of three children, Jacob, John, and one deceased, the mother died.

When Jacob Bardel, Jr., was three years of age, his father married the second time, to Catherine Weilhien. He died in 1840, and the step-mother and her children came to this country and settled in Ridott Township, Stephenson County. Jacob previously had emigrated to America in 1832, and lived in Lower Canada until 1840, whence he came to Ridott Township, and prepared to received the other members of the family who came directly to this country from Germany.

Mr. Bardel, our subject, upon his arrival in Stephenson County purchased 150 acres of land, and soon began to make additions to his original possessions; he gradually acquired five good, well-improved farms, consisting of about 1,000 acres of land. This is located in Ridott, Silver Creek and Lancaster Townships. Mr. B. came to this country very poor, in fact, $16 in debt to an uncle, who loaned him money to start with, but his unflagging exertions have obtained a competency for him.

Our subject was married in Canada in 1835, to Miss Margaret Scaup, who was born in Alsace, Germany, and came with her parents to Canada, when she was a young woman. Her parents died in Lower Canada, the father in 1858 and the mother in 1860, each aged seventy-seven years. Mrs. Bardel died at her home in this township, Jan. 8, 1884. She was then nearly seventy-three years of age, and had been the mother of eight children. These are, John A., Michael W., Jacob J., Polly M., Catharina, Elizabeth, Maggie and Anna. All are married except Anna, who yet remains at home and like a dutiful daughter takes care of her aged father, for whom she exhibits much reverence. Indeed, the whole family look up to Anna, as the tender guardian of her remaining parent. The family are members of the Evangelical Church and for many years Mr. Bardel was Church Trustee. He is a solid Republican, of the kind whose political faith never wavers.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888)