Bridgman, Gen. Arthur 1797 -1880

BRIDGMAN

Posted By: nancy dorwart (email)
Date: 12/11/2003 at 18:11:49

The Fairfield Ledger, Dec. 3, 1880, p.3,col.2. STRICKEN WITH APOPLEXY. Gen Arthur Bridgman, a resident of Fairfield in its early history and a brother-in-law of the late Thomas D. Evans of this city, was stricken with apoplexy at his home in Keokuk on Thanksgiving day and died Monday morning. Gen. Bridgman was in the 83rd year of his age, but time had dealt gently with him and his erect figure and general manner were those of a man a quarter of a century younger. Deceased came to IA in 1838 and located in Burlington, where he was in business for six years. In 1848 he came to Fairfield and formed a partnership with the late Capt. Evans for the transaction of a general mercantile business. Their store was on the site now occupied by the Crawford block on the southeast corner of the square. Gen. Bridgman was also register of the land office at this point for a time. He removed to Keokuk in 1849 and was in business in that city until 1861. When the Keokuk and Des Moines railway company was organized, one of the first corporations of its kind in the new state, he was elected secretary, a position he held at the time of his death. Deceased was in this city this fall for a short visit.