For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 141
CHARLES WEED BRIDGMAN. The Bridgman family of which Charles W. Bridgman of Muscatine is a worthy member dates back in this country to James Bridgman, who came to America about 1640 from Winchester, County Hants, England, and settled in Northampton, Massachusetts. Jospeh Bridgman, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Massachusetts and a well known lawyer, serving for many years in the legislature of his state. His wife before her marriage was Ruth Hawkes. They both died in Massachusetts and were buried in Belchertown cemetery. Their children were Frederick, Elizabeth, Arthur, Sarah, Joseph, Frank and Clarissa. The maternal grandfather was Benjamin Weed, a native of Connecticut, who became a physician of well established reputation. He was born January 25, 1789. amd died March 5, 1846. He married Ann Seymour, who was born May 24, 1792, and departed this life April 23, 1827. She was a direct descendant of the famous Jane Seymour, wife of Henry VIII of England. There were six children in the family of Dr. and Mrs. Weed: James, Edward, Eliza, Chester, Eliza Ann and Seymour.Charles W. Bridgman was born in Muscatine, Iowa February 25, 1848. He is a son of Joseph and Eliza A. ( Weed ) Bridgman, the former of whom was a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Connecticut. The father was born October 30, 1813, and reared on a Massachusetts farm. Later he went to Boston, and in 1836 he came to Iowa and settled at Muscatine. After this he spent a short time at Burlington, Iowa, but returned to Muscatine in 1844 and was identified with general merchandising---dry-goods, groceries, boots and shoes---and later insurance and real-estate until his death, which occurred February 21, 1900, when he was in his eighty-seventh year. At the time of the Civil war he served as captain of the Home Guards in Muscatine and he lived to be the oldest Odd Fellow in the state of Iowa. While he was not an aspirant for public office, he served most acceptably as a member of the city council and had many friends among all classes of citizens. The mother of our subject was born December 7, 1820, and was called to her reward March 19, 1892. She was married in a log cabin, June 4, 1840, in Bloomington, now Muscatine, and may truly be classed among the worthy pioneers of the early days of Iowa.
Charles W. Bridgman was educated in the public and high schools of Muscatine and after laying aside his books began his business career as a clerk in his father's store. He engaged in the manufacture of brick and tile for some time but for thirty years or more has been prominently connected with the real-estate and insurance business under the firm name of J. Bridgman & Son. Being a man of good judgment, he has attained a marked degree of success, and the firm is one of the leading concerns of its kind in Muscatine. He is the owner of considerable valuable city property. He has lived in Muscatine for sixty-two years and it is doubtful if any man in the city is better acquainted with real-estate values and possibilities than he.
On the 25th of September, 1872, Mr. Bridgman was united in marriage to Miss Anna Barrows Coe, who was born in Knox county, Illinois, August 3, 1850. Her parents were natives of New England and became early settlers of Knox county. Two children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bridgman: Chester C, who married Grayce M. Thomas, of Rathdrum, Idaho, and is the father of one daughter, Maxine; and Elizabeth M., the wife of Oscar R. Brandt, of Muscatine.
Mr. Bridgman was reared in the Presbyterian church but is not identified with any religious organization, although his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is in close sympathy with the republican party, believing from his observation and experience that its principles are best adapted for the prosperity and perpetuity of the republic. Although he has arrived at an age where most men prefer the quiet of a retired life, he is still actively connected with business affairs and is a prominent factor in the community. A worthy representative of a good American family, he has the characteristics of a true gentleman and public-spirited citizen. He is a man whose actions are in accord with his words and whose career has been a credit to himself and to all whom he has associated.
Back to Biographical Index Page