Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Bridel, William D ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 25, 2006, 7:20 pm Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900 WILLIAM D. BRIDEL. The specific history of the west was made by the pioneers; it was emblematically emblazoned on the forest trees by the strength of sturdy arms and gleaming ax, and written on the surface of the earth by the primitive plow. These were strong men and true that came to found the empire of the west— these hardy settlers who builded their rude domiciles, grappled with the giants of the forest, and from the sylvan wilds evolved the fertile and productive fields which have these many years been furrowed by the plowshare and traversed by rejoicing harvest hands. The red man in his motley garb stalked through the dim, woody avenues, and the wild beasts disputed his dominion. The trackless prairie was made to yield its tribute under the effective endeavors of the pioneer, and slowly but surely were laid the steadfast foundations upon which has been builded the magnificent superstructure of an opulent and enlightened commonwealth. To establish a home under such surroundings, and to cope with the many privations and hardships which were the inevitable concomitants, demanded invincible courage and fortitude, strong hearts and willing hands. All these were characteristics of the pioneers, whose names and deeds should be held in perpetual reverence by those who enjoy the fruits of their toil. Mr. Bridel is numbered among the early settlers of Grundy county who took up their abode in Maine township at an early day. He was born in Southchard, Somersetshire, England, June 5, 1826, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Diment) Bridel. His paternal grandfather, Richard Bridel, was a cooper by trade and owned a small property in England, consisting of a home, his shop and about five acres of orchard and meadow land. His industry brought to him a comfortable competence and he lived to a ripe old age, his death occurring when he had passed the ninetieth milestone on life's journey. By his first marriage he had two sons, John and Richard, and by his second union he had a son and daughter, Robert and Rachel. Robert Bridel, the father of our subject, was born in Somersetshire, about 1805, and received a common-school education. Under his father's direction he learned the cooper's trade in early life and followed that business in his native land. In the county of his birth he married Mary Diment, who was born in Somersetshire, and by their marriage they became the parents of the following named: William D.; Richard; Mary, who died in England when about six years of age; Isabel; Mary, the second of that name; Rachel; Robert; and a daughter, Alice, who died, aged about nine years, when on the journey to Kendall county, Illinois, having been bitten by a rattlesnake. In 1841 Mr. Bridel determined to seek a home in the New World and secured passage on the sailing vessel Europe, which weighed anchor in the harbor at Liverpool, and after a voyage of six weeks and three days reached New York city, and Mr. Bridel made his first location in Plymouth, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming. About five years later he came to Illinois, by canal and steamboat, locating in Kendall county, October 14, 1846. He secured one hundred and one acres of government land, which he transformed into a good farm. Later he came to Grundy county, but did not sell his farm in Kendall county. His wife died in 1858, in what was then Braceville township but is now Maine township, and her death was widely mourned, for she was a woman of many virtues, having the respect and friendship of all who knew her. Mr. Bridel afterward returned to Kendall county, where he was again married, to Alice Sutliff, a widow, but by the second union he had no children. His death occurred in that county, when he was about eighty-two years of age. William D. Bridel obtained a common-school education in England, and when about fifteen years of age accompanied his parents on their journey across the briny deep. He remained with his father until he had attained his majority, when he entered eighty acres of government land in Kendall county, Illinois, ten miles south of Oswego, and began farming on his own account. In 1854, however, he came to Grundy county and purchased three hundred and twenty-one and a half acres of land, at five dollars per acre. It is well watered by Mazon creek and is a rich and arable tract, which returns to the owner a good tribute for the care and cultivation he bestows upon it. He erected a comfortable and commodious residence, made other needed improvements and engaged in raising horses, cattle, hogs and grain. His thorough understanding of his business, his capable management and close application enabled him to win prosperity. During the early years of his business career his sister Rachel acted as his housekeeper, but when thirty-six years of age, in April, 1862, he was married, in Maine township, Grundy county, to Caroline R. Towns, who was born in Kendall county, Illinois, a daughter of Aaron and Mary (Green) Towns. Her father was an early settler in Kendall county, and also took up his abode in Grundy county at an early period of its development. He was a native of New York state and was of New England ancestry. His children were Joshua, Edward, William, Sarah, Caroline and Clarinda. Mr. Towns died in this township at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Bridel, with whom he had made his home for fifteen years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bridel have been born the following children: William H., born in 1863; Mary R., 1865; George W., 1867; Robert, April 21, 1869; Lillie E., August 11, 1876; and a daughter, Belle, who died when about seven months of age. Our subject has successfully engaged in farming operations and is today the owner of a valuable and productive farm, comprising three hundred and twenty- one and a half acres of the rich land of central Illinois. In politics he is a Democrat, and he has held the office of school director, but has never sought or desired political preferment, wishing rather to give his entire time and attention to his business interests, in which he has met with creditable success. Additional Comments: Source: Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, p690-692 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/bios/bridel55gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 6.9 Kb