Personal Sketch

Thomas Bridgman, Van Buren [Township]

He was reared on a farm. He came to Ohio and settled in this County, near where he now lives, in the year 1827. November 1, he bought at his first starting out in life in Ohio, as a farmer, one hundred and two and a half acres of land; he now owns some two hundred acres. This gentleman's beginning, and subsequent success, is another illustration which can not too often be brought under the notice of our youthful friends. Mr. Bridgman, we are bound to say, never accumulated his property, or deserved the general respect of his fellows, by inattention to business or through idleness, which invariably brings in its train all the accompanying miseries of intemperance, dishonesty, Sabbath-breaking, and other sins; no, he like all our staunch men of the day, was correct in his habits, temperate, industrious, and economical, and by these means has carved out a prominent and respectable position in society. He commenced life with a capital of eighteen dollars; the result of his proceedings is estimated by the amount of his property to-day, and it tells its own story.

He was married to Miss Sarah John, daughter of Asa and Mary John, in 1829; two children was the result, viz.: B. F. Bridgman, born February 4, 1881; Asa J., born February 13, 1834. His wife, who was born July 8, 1814, departed this life March 26, 1836. Mr. Bridgman again married; his second life-partner as the sister of his first wife, being Miss Esther John, who was born June 12, 1820. They were married July 4, 1838. The result of this union was nine children, the names of whom, and the time of births, are as follows: Sarah Bridgman, born September 24, 1839; Mary J., born May 14, 1841; William H., born January 27, 1944; John T., born March 18, 1847; Perry B., born May 5, 1850; Albert V., born March 13, 1853; Francis M., born April 12, 1859; Charles G., born September 12, 1863. These children are living. Mr. Bridgman and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church, and he is one of the directors of his Church. In politics he was a Whig, then a Republican. From 1825 to 1826 he worked in the Armory at Harper's Ferry. The result of his industry may be seen by looking at his fine page view as represented in this work.