The Bedell family's legacy in Manitowoc Rapids
Manitowoc County Plat Map for the Township of Manitowoc Rapids in 1893, showing the Bedell Farm just northwest of Manitowoc Rapids.
A telegram arrived in Manitowoc from Buffalo, New York in August 1897 announcing the death of Edwin S. Bedell, a prominent area resident.
Edwin Bedell left Manitowoc on Thursday, August 19, 1897, on the steamship “J.W. Moore” for Buffalo. He was traveling with 100 others as part of an encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R). As they arrived in Buffalo, Edwin went on an excursion to Niagara Falls on August 21 and by the time he and his acquaintance returned, it was late. Edwin was making his way to his sleeping quarters, missed his footing and fell through the hatchway, and was instantly killed. His body reached Manitowoc the following week and was received by the local G.A.R. post.
Mr. Bedell was born in Vermont in 1833 and came to the Manitowoc area in the 1850s. He was married to Miss Katherine Hubbard in 1857, and she died in the early years of the Civil War. Katherine was the daughter of Oliver Hubbard, one of the first residents who came to Manitowoc County with Benjamin Jones in 1836. The Hubbard family was one of three families who remained here when the panic of 1837 sent the rest of the 40 settlers rushing back to Chicago.
After Katherine’s death, Edwin enlisted in the war effort on November 20, 1863, in the 32nd Wisconsin. After the war, he returned to Manitowoc Rapids and managed a very successful farm, with a focus on ‘small fruits’. In 1868, Edwin married Jennie Steele. The Manitowoc Tribune reported: “But to say we were surprised and pleased at hearing of this arrangement would express little of what we felt. But it is no more than we might have expected. A friend said to this happy fellow, "Ed--win!" and he won: and, not to put too fine a point on it, he has steeled his heart to all the world beside and won a beautiful happy bride.”
In the 1880s, Edwin purchased a herd of 13 Jersey cattle and later pure-bred registered Jersey were purchased from some of the best herds in Wisconsin. He was also a teacher and became the town superintendent of schools. Edwin also served as the Deputy Sheriff in 1868 and 1869.
Edwin was survived by a wife and a son, Edwin Steele Bedell. Edwin Steele was born in 1869 and went on to become a leader in the dairy industry and was a strong supporter of the Manitowoc County fair. Edwin passed away in 1937 at his farmhouse in Manitowoc Rapids. “At his death he was president of the Manitowoc-Two Rivers Pure Milk association, head of the Manitowoc County Jersey Breeder’s association and president of the board of trustees of the Maple Crest sanatorium, Whitelaw. Mr. Bedell served several times as clerk of Manitowoc Rapids and was elected chairman to represent the town on the county board. As various movements were launched in the county for the promotion of agriculture and dairying Mr. Bedell was always prominent in these groups.”
The younger Edwin “was one of the founders of the County Jersey Breeder association and served several terms as president. One of the first picnics of the association was held on the Bedell farm.”
Though the Bedell farm has now passed from the family’s ownership, their rich legacy of community and agriculture is still evident today through the many organizations the family helped create.