Bodell Garage - Harrod, Ohio
Let's look at this vintage 1910 RPPC real photo postcard of the BODELL GARAGE in Harrod, Ohio, a very small town east of Lima. Online research turned up just a little info.
Tom W. Bodell owned a hardware store in Harrod. First appearance in the Lima News was in 1895 when his store was burglarized. In 1899 he attended the Ohio Hardware Association Convention in Toledo, according to THE IRON AGE trade magazine. His name appears in horse breeding trade magazines too, selling stallions. In 1900 he was on the Board of Directors of the Allen County Fair.
The postcard shows the Bodell garage building in 1910. In 1914 he sold his 'stock of vehicles and hardware' for a farm in Ashtabula. The Mr.'s Pole and Tappan (of Michigan) became the new owners.
Apparently things did not go well with the sale as the next year finds T.W. Bodell in a court case against them. Finally in 1917, Bodell bought the business back. He had it listed for sale again in 1918.
There the trail goes cold, other than a mention of Mr. and Mrs. Bodell visiting friends in Lima in 1937
Researched by:
- Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk
https://msdowantiques.blogspot.com/2017/11/tw-bodell-garage-hardware-store-owner.html
Location of Bodell’s Garage on the corner of Main and Third Streets in 1910.
Tom Bodell Machinery Sale - 1914 - Main Street near 4th Street. Note the location of the railroad depot in the background across Main Street. - From the ATHS Archives