James Bridge b. 1838

BRIDGE, PARKER, COX, KETCHAM

Posted By: Mike Miller (email)
Date: 1/8/2008 at 02:25:40

James Bridge

James Bridge, one of the older residents of this community, was born at Stockport, England, May 13, 1838.

At the age of 21 years he came to America, settling in Philadelphia, where he secured employment as a spinner, which trade he had learned in his native manufacturing city.

He enlisted in the civil War, and after being honorably discharged, he came west in 1866, at which time he became a naturalized citizen of the United states, living at Franklin, Iowa, where he married Miss Emma Parker.

In 1868 he came to Bonaparte to be employed as a spinner in Meek Bros. woolen mills, and continued in that capacity until his death in 1905, a period of 37 years.

Mrs. Bridge's early childhood home was near Potter's Creek-the creek received its name from a potter's shop operated by her uncle. The house occupied by her father's family was torn down to make way for the Des Moines and Keokuk railway track. The mode of transportation having been steamboats on the Des Moines river which were plainly visible from the home.

Mrs. Bridges passed away in 1930 having made Bonaparte her home for 62 years. Two sons, Lee Edward and Sidney Parker, are deceased, but the two daughters, Nellie B. Cox and Marie E. Ketcham reside in this community.

-Marie E. Ketcham

copied from the Dorothy Watson Scrapbook G