John Jex Bardwell—Chicago Fire Ruins

Detroit Free Press, December 15, 1902

John Jex Bardwell (1827-1902) was one of the most novel characters that ever lived in this city. He was the oldest photographer in Detroit, if nt in the state, and was widely known.

Mr. Bardwell was born in a suburb of London, England, which has since been absorbed by the city itself. At the age of 19 he came to America and later to Detroit. About the year 1860 he started a photograph gallery at 120 Jefferson avenue, and there he remained until 1872, later moving up Woodward avenue to a place very near the store now occupied by C. M. Hayes & Co. Mr. Hayes has perhaps the most intimate knowledge of the old man’s professional life:

Naturally, during a long life of work, he picked up many valuable things, although it can not be said that he actually made any great discovery. It was through his knowledge of chemistry, however, that he was able to defend the photographers in the famous Cutten bromide suits, in which Cutten claimed a patent on material used with dry plates. He proved that the patent was not a legal one, and it in this way that he served the entire profession.