James Bridgeman, the father of our subject, was a native of Virginia, whence he emigrated to this county late in the fifties. He was a farmer by trade, and after coming to Illinois followed this for a time, then purchased sixty acres in Arcadia Precinct, where he lived until the outbreak of the Civil War. Under one of the special calls for troops by President Lincoln, he enlisted as a Union soldier in the 101st Illinois Infantry under command of col. Fox, and which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee. He participated in all the battles of his regiment until near the close of the war when he was taken ill and died in 1864, at Holly Springs. He was stricken down in the prime of life, being less than forty years of age. The wife and mother is still living, making her home in Concord Precinct, and is now fifty-six years old. Her maiden name was Virginia Henderson. She was born in Arcadia Precinct, and was the daughter of Aaron Henderson, a native of Virginia, and who was one of the earliest settlers of this county, where he spent his last days. He came to Illinois with his family during the winter of the deep snow, which covered the fences and upon the surface of which there was formed so strong a crust that the people could ride over it with safety. Mr. Henderson died about 1849. His wife, Mrs. Sally (Boles) Henderson, is still living in Arcadia Precinct and is now eighty-five years old. The Hendersons were of Scotch Presbyterian stock.

Mr. and Mrs. Bridgeman, became the parents of three children, viz: Samuel N., our subject; Lucinda, the wife of William Ader, who lives on a farm in Arcadia Precinct; and James, who married Miss Anna Gilmore, and is also a resident of that precinct. Samuel N. remained with his mother at the homestead until his marriage to Miss M. Rachel Erickson. This lady was born June, 1858, in Indiana, and came to Illinois with her parents in the fall of 1890. The latter were James B. and Nancy E. (Patten) Erickson, and they settled in Arcadia Precinct. They are still there. Mrs. Bridgeman remained under the home roof until her marriage. She is now the mother of two children - James E. and Minerva P. Mr. Bridgeman, politically, supports the principles of the Democratic party, and both he and his wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Church.