The Isdell Mercantile Company was founded in 1876 in Pony, Montana, by N. J. Isdell. He incorporated the business in 1892. The store was taken over by Henry and Eli Adkin in 1901.

N. J. Isdell was born in Onondaga County, New York on December 5, 1840, the son of Nelson and Perlina (Spaulding) Isdell. He was raised in Maryland and in Washington D. C. In 1866 he drove a freight wagon to Virginia City, Montana. He worked for the Midas Mining Company at Sterling and then was hired to work in Hall and Spaulding's store in Sterling. He purchased the store in 1871 and moved it to Harrison and then in 1876 to Pony where it remained until he turned it over to his son-in-law Eli Adkin and his brother. Isdell also had a large ranch in the area. He died in Minneapolis, Minn. on February 26, 1902.