MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS BOOK ONE

Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 346
submitted by Jo Ann Carlson, October 21, 2007

DIED.

At 6 o’clock p.m., Saturday, March 19, 1892, at the family residence, No. 229 West Second street, MRS. JOSEPH BRIDGMAN, in her 72d year. The deceased had been an invalid for a number of years and during the past winter had failed so rapidly that her family circle and many friends have known that the end was near.

Mrs. Bridgman was the daughter of Dr. Benjamin Weed and was born in Canton, Conn., December 7, 1820. In October, 1839, her father came west with his family and settled in Bloomington, now Muscatine.

One the 4th of June, 1840, she was united in marriage with Joseph Bridgman, her death severing a companionship of almost fifty-two years’ duration. The celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Bridgman’s golden wedding anniversary, June 4, 1893, is still fresh in the minds of their many friends present on that occasion. For fifty years they had lived in the same block on which stood the log cabin in which their marriage took place. At this anniversary seven of the guests present were also present at the wedding fifty years before.

Mrs. Bridgman was a consistent member of the First Presbyterian church and until ill health confined her to her home she was one of its most devoted and active workers. She had been a member of the society since 1858 and was closely allied with its interests and good work.

Beside the bereaved husband, who has rejoiced in her companionship for these many years, she is survived by two sons, Fred., of Kansas City, and Charles W., of Muscatine. The venerable Dr. Weed is also a brother of the deceased.

The funeral services were conducted at the family residence this afternoon by Rev. S.H. Parvin, of the Presbyterian church, and were largely attended.

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IN MEMORIAM.

As we reflect upon the character of Mrs. Eliza Weed Bridgman we think of a true life. It was marked with fidelity. As the needle points unerringly toward the pole, so her life was true, always tending in the right direction. Hers was an eloquent life, and in doing good she seemed not to grow weary. Mrs. Bridgman was a Christian. The reason her life was full of good works was because the fountain of life was pure-a good heart. She became a member of the First Presbyterian Church on the 5th day of May, 1858. She obeyed the Scripture injunction, “Be ye therefore followers of Christ as dear children,” and she responded to the leadings of her Savior. As two stringed instruments may be so tuned to one key-note that if you strike one an ethereal echo is heard from the other, so her life was in unison with her Redeemer and responded to the leadings to his service. A noble life has been removed to a higher realm. Can we not say: “Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates?” --- Pastor.

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