Submitted by Robert Kingrey

Source: Unknown

T.C. Bridwell, ex-mayor, and a prominent citizen of Evansville, is a native of Lawrence County, Ohio, Where he was born February 18, 1841, and is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Combs) Bridwell. The father was a native of Virginia, and the mother of Pennsylvania. From Virginia the father removed to Ohio, where he lived until his death occurred. The mother now resides in Ironton, Ohio. Mr. Bridwell was reared in Lawrence County, Ohio, and attended public schools, graduating from the Ironton High School. In 1859, he located to Cincinnati, where he remained for about one year, and then removed to Owensboro, Ky., where he remained for six years, the first two of which he spent in the drug business. In 1863 he entered the United States Revenue service, as chief clerk, under Col. Todd, assessor of internal revenue for the Owensboro district. Four years were spent in the service, and in 1866 he located to Evansville, and re-entered the drug business on the corner of Third and Main streets. He continued so engaged until 1882, when he retired from active business.

In 1875 he was elected trustee of Pigeon Township, and was re-elected in 1878, holding the office altogether for five years, when he resigned. In 1880, while serving in the capacity of trustee, the Democrats elected him as Mayor of Evansville, at a time when the city politics were decidedly republican. He was re-elected in 1883, and held the office for a term of six years, giving universal satisfaction and doing much to advance the general welfare.

Since leaving the mayor’s office he has been engaged in street gravel contracting in Evansville and other cities, and now has a large contract on hand at Decatur, Ala. He is a charted member of Orion Lodge, No. 35, Knights of Pythias, in which he has held all the chairs, and was elected representative to the Grand Lodge. He is also a member of La Valette Commandery, No. 15, K.T., and of the A.O.U.W. Lodge, No. 43.

Mr. Bridwell was married September 22, 1864, to Bettie McFarland, daughter of Hon. John S. McFarland, a prominent citizen of Daviess County, KY. To this union three children were born.