FRANK M. BRIDGES, deceased, was born in Greene county, Ill., July 27, 1834, his parents being Archibald and Dorleska (Eldred) Bridges, his father a native of South Carolina, his mother of Connecticut. His parents were among the first settlers of Greene county, and entered 600 acres of land, all in one tract, when they came here, on which they built a little log cabin, where they lived a number of years. His father afterwards built a large two story frame house, in which he resided until his death, in 1861. Mrs. Bridges survived him until 1870. Both are buried in the Carrollton cemetery. Frank was reared to farm life, remaining with his parents until 22 years of age, and receiving his education partly in the district schools and partly in those of Carrollton, until about 1856, when he attended the Shurtleff College, at Upper Alton. After finishing his education, he went to Memphis, Mo., where he was employed as clerk in a dry goods store for two or three years, when he purchased an interest in the store, and the firm became Bridges & Billups. This partnership continued until 1862, when he disposed of his stock of goods, and began buying up a lot of horses, which he took across the plains to California, and there disposed of them. He and his wife then remained there one years, keeping a hotel From there they removed to Virginia City, Nev., where he remained about two years, engaged in a quartz mill. In May, 1864, his wife returned to Memphis, and Mr. Bridges followed about four months later, and after staying there a short time they returned to Greene county, Ill., where they resided with his mother about two years. He then purchased 85 acres of land near the old homestead, built a house, and resided there about five years. After his mother's death, he bought out the heirs, and moved on to the homestead, where he resided the remainder of his lifetime. His marriage occurred Oct. 11, 1860, when he was united with Lena Hudnall, daughter of Dr. Moses L. and Minerva (Henderson) Hudnall. This union was blessed with six children, three of whom are living - Helen, Archibald and Jessie. Those deceased are - Edgar, Nellie and Ruth. Mr. Bridges was elected sheriff of Green county, Nov. 21, 1874, and served four years. In 1878 he was elected to the house of representatives, and to the senate in 1882. When elected senator, his majority was 2,300. Mr. Bridges took his senatorial seat at the commencement of the session, in Jan., 1883, and again, in 1885, for his second term; but during the excitement, then at its highest pitch, over the election of a U.S. senator, he was stricken down with paralysis, and died March 20, 1885. He was a very prominent man, active in politics, who made many friends and few enemies, and stood high in the estimation of all who knew him. He left a farm of 245 acres, which is now owned and controlled by his widow, Mrs. Lena Bridges, an intelligent lady, who is a devout member of the Episcopal church at Carrollton.