When John Bridwell was born on 20 August 1822, in Fairfield Township, Highland, Ohio, United States, his father, James W. Bridwell, was 42 and his mother, Sophia Oatyar, was 40. He married Mariah ( Maria) Hopkins on 22 December 1842, in Ross, Ohio, United States. They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 5 daughters. He lived in Ohio, United States in 1870 and Fairfield MM, Highland, Ohio, United States in 1880. He died on 21 September 1892, at the age of 70, and was buried in Leesburg, Highland, Ohio, United States.