Bridges, Charles H.

BRIDGES, REYNOLDS, FOREMAN, SMITH, NUGTEREN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/27/2009 at 10:27:49

Bridges, Charles H.

Among the native born residents of Jasper County who have reached a well merited success must certainly be included the name of Charles H. Bridges, well known young business man of Newton. He represents one of the County's old and influential families, and honesty and fair dealing having been his watchwords, these twin virtues having ever been personified in his active life. He has kept unsullied the fair name of his forbears and is in every way deserving of the high respect, which is accorded him by all his acquaintances.

Mr. Bridges was born in Newton Township, this County, April 16, 1877. He is the son of Absolom Green Bridges, commonly known as "Green" Bridges. He was born in Indiana and he married Sarah A. Reynolds, a native of Kentucky, who came to Iowa when twelve years of age, her parents having come direct to Jasper County from Kentucky in 1853. Green Bridges was also young when he came to this County, his advent here being in 1845 or 1846. He came with his mother and first wife, who died a few years after locating here. Here the parents of Charles H. Bridges, of this review, met and married. They devoted their lives to farming, their parents also having been farmers on both sides of the house. By thrift and untiring industry Green Bridges became one of the leading farmers of the County, at one time owning five hundred and forty acres of valuable land, all in Newton Township. Later, through his too generous nature and his kindness of heart and faith in his fellow men, he lost a considerable portion of this property. He was ever willing to heed the story of another's misfortunes and always willing to help. He frequently gave assistance that was not properly appreciated, and lost by so doing. He was a sturdy, true, likable character and few men in the country were better liked. A man of strong convictions, he was deeply interested in educational and Church work, serving the Church and his Township in many capacities. For years he was superintendent of the Sunday school and was always working to ameliorate local conditions, to make his fellow men better. Once he left the farm and came to Newton, where he conducted a general store for three years, but returned to the farm when he sold the store, dying soon afterwards at the age of sixty years. In politics he was a Republican and was active in party affairs, in fact, he was a local leader in his party and served it in many ways.

By his first marriage Green Bridges became the father of three children, but one of whom, Emoline, wife of Joseph Reynolds, of Des Moines, is living. Twelve children were born of his second union, five of whom are now living, namely: Freddy and Etta died when children; Oliver Perry died in Newton when twenty-six years of age; Hayden died on the home farm when twenty- five years of age; Absolom G. died there when twenty-four years old; Carrie May died at home when seventeen years old; Rilla Maud died at the age of fifteen. Those living are: Rebecca, wife of John W. Foreman, lives in Newton; Jennie is the wife of W. E. Smith, of Newburg, Iowa; Joseph M. lives in Plankinton, South Dakota; Charles H., of this review; Frank G., the youngest, lives with his mother in Newton. All the children by the second marriage were born in Newton Township and all but two in the same house.

After the death of the father Charles H. Bridges was left to care for the home farm, and he managed the same very successfully for a period of five years, although a mere youth. He left the same when eighteen years old and came to Newton and engaged in the livery business. After about three years he added a transfer business, which combination was continued for eight years, at the end of which time, the transfer business becoming so large, he disposed of the livery business, and now devotes his attention exclusively to his transfer work, his patronage ever increasing. He handles all kinds of baggage and freight, moves household goods and pianos, and he is well equipped for prompt and first class service in every respect. He has only reliable and competent assistance and he has made a great success in this line by his courteous and fair dealing with the public. During the past four years, however, he has been agent at Newton for the American Express Company.

On October 3, 1906, Mr. Bridges was united in marriage with Pauline Nugteren, daughter of Peter Nugteren, a native of Holland. Both parents are living near Prairie City. Mrs. Bridges was born near Pella, Iowa. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Newton. Mr. Bridges and wife have one child, Earl LeRoy, who was born December 11, 1909.

Politically, Mr. Bridges is a Republican and fraternally he belongs to the Delta Lodge No. 53, Knights of Pythias, of Newton, being at present second lieutenant in the Uniform Rank. He was for four years a member of the Newton volunteer fire department. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 602.