John Wardell
The prosperity of Pickaway County cannot be attributed entirely to the efforts of Americans, for much has been accomplished by those of foreign birth who have sought a home in the land of the free. England has contributed of its thrift; France of its economy; Germany of its vigor; Holland of its industry, and Norway and Sweden of their patient perseverance. Among the natives of England who have sought a home in this county, and have here attained independence and prosperity, may be mentioned Mr. Wardell, a prominent farmer of Wayne Township, who was born in Yorkshire, England, April 3, 1831.
The father of our subject, who bore the same name as himself, was born in Yorkshire, in 1789, and pursued the vocation of a farmer until his death in 1849. He was a member of the Church of England, and a man of stanch integrity. His wife, whose maiden name was Ann Beelby, was born in the same shire as himself, and after the decease of her husband, emigrated to America, in 1856, and remained in Pickaway County until her death, April 26, 1886, at the age of eighty-two years. John was the eldest among her children, and is the only one now living.
The educational advantages which our subject received were somewhat limited, and he did not attend school after he was thirteen years old, but he is a man of broad culture and splendid information which he has acquired through reading and travel. At the age of fifteen, he commenced to work as a farm laborer, receiving 5£ the first year, 8£ the second, and continuing to receive increasing wages until his salary was 18£ a year. Having concluded that he could better his condition in America, he left England in 1853, taking passage on a merchant ship, and landing in New York City in August, after a voyage of seven weeks.
The first work which Mr. Wardell secured in America was in a sawmill at Elmira, N. Y., where he remained until November, 1853. At that time he removed to Ohio, and from Columbus came to Circleville on a canal boat, and thence by stagecoach to his present farm, which was then owned by a cousin, Joseph Wardell. For perhaps two years, he secured employment by the day or month, and by hoarding his earnings, secured enough to embark in farming for himself. He farmed land on shares until 1881, wlien he purchased his present estate, and has resided here since, usually operating from one hundred and fifty to two hundred acres per year. A view of his homestead is shown on another page.
In 1853, Mr. Wardell and Miss Sarah Douglass were united in marriage in England. The young wife died the following year, and in 1857 Mr. Wardell was married to Miss Mary Clearwater, a native of New York, who died in 1881. Nine children were born of this union, namely: Peter, John, George, William, Robert, Thomas, Mary, Fannie and Cora (deceased). The lady who, on March 31, 1881, became the wife of Mr. Wardell, bore the maiden name of Lydia Clearwater; she was a sister of the former wife, and was born in Pickaway County. They are the parents of one child, Magdalene. In his political belief, Mr. Wardell is a strong Repulilican, and has served for three years as Trustee of Wayne Township, which is a suffiient indication of his popularity, for the township is strongly Democratic, and he was elected on the Republican ticket.
In religious views, Mr. and Mrs. Wardell are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as Trustee and President of the Board. They are worthy people, may always be found on the right of justice, and favor all progressive measures. Mr. Wardell owns two hundred and eighty-seven acres of finely-improved land, which is devoted to general farming and stock-raising purposes. He has put in about three thousand five hundred rods of tile, and has the place perfectly drained. His success in life has resulted from his tireless industry and enterprise, and he is numbered among the most prosperous farmers of the county. He has given his children every educational advantage possible, and feels amply repaid for every effort he has put forth in their behalf, for they are intelligent and well-informed young people, pleasant, social companions, and possess the industry and energy which have contributed so largely to the success of Mr. Warden.
From PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF FAYETTE, PICKAWAY AND MADISON COUNTIES, OHIO - Chapman Bros. [Chicago, 1892]