Silas Washington BARDWELL was born May 11, 1843 in Tunkhannock Township, Pennsylvania. His father was Silas BARDWELL, born 1807 in Rome twp., Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania. His mother was Bathsheba Mahala BALL, born April 23, 1811 in Tunkhannock Township., Pennsylvania. His grandfather was Silas BARDWELL, born 1764 in Hatfield, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. His grandmother was Lavina ABBOTT. Silas the "eldest" served three years in the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War.

"Silas BARDWELL, who had served three years in the struggle for Independence, came to Wysox about 1790, settling on a strip of land adjoining that of John HINMAN and extending to the river. He was a son of Lieutenant Perez BARDWELL (also lived in Wysox a few years) and was born, 1764, at Hatfield, Mass. Soon after the war he removed with his father's family to Ontario county, N.Y., where he remained until coming to Wysox. He had married Lavina ABBOTT. In 1811 during an epidemic of smallpox he was stricken and died, and three days later his wife passed away of the same disease. They left eight children, six sons and two daughters".
Page 196, Pioneer and Patriot Families of Bradford Co., Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Clement F. Heverly.

After 1853 Silas (Jr.) moved to La Salle Co., Illinois taking Silas Washington and his other children with him. Silas Washington BARDWELL enlisted in 26th Illinois Infantry in August 1861.He was wounded November 25, 1863 in Chatanooga, Tenn. He was MIA in November 1864, found to be captured. Paroled by Confederate Forces April, 1865.

Silas Washington BARDWELL married Mary Susan OLIVER in 1866. Mary Susan Oliver was born March 27, 1847 in La Salle Co., Illnois. They had the following children:
---Bertha Elizabeth, born August 13, 1867 Grundy Co., Illinois
---Kitty Prudence, born July 30, 1870 Grundy Co., Illnois
---Zack Millard born February 16, 1872 Newton Co., Indiana

Lizzie Lorina born September 12, 1875, Newton co., Indiana
---Ira Silas born September 19, 1878 Ness Co., Kansas
---Marrietta " Etta" born November 10, 1885 Great Bend Barton Co., Kansas.

Silas Washington BARDWELL died June 9, 1909 in Great Bend Barton Co., Kansas. Mary Susan BARDWELL died October 21, 1929 in Great Bend Barton Co., Kansas. They, along with some of their children and grandchildren are buried in the Great Bend Cemetery in the Family Plot Section Q.