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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
HON. JAMES BRIDGES. Among the old settlers of Mahaska County who have lived to see it develop from its primitive conditon the fine agricultural position it occupies in comparison with other counties in the State, and who has done his share toward its advancement, is the subject of this notice. He came to this county when twenty-nine years of age, in June, 1849, and has made a continuous residence here since that date. He is a gentleman who has accumulated what he has of this world's goods through his own energy and perseverance, and in the sunset of life is enabled to retire from active labor; he resides on the corner of South and Marion streets, Oskaloosa. James Bridges was born in Dearborn County, Ind., near Aurora, Aug. 7. 1820, and is a son of Bartholomew and Pruah (Green) Bridges. When eleven years of age he accompanied his parents to Indianapolis, and three miles from that city was occupied in farming. He was married in Indianapolis, Feb. 2. 1843, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John Taylor. She was born in Smyrna, Kent Co., Del., and bore her husband four children, two sons and two daughters: James J. was twice married; first to Miss Emma, and secondly, to Miss Nettie Ferry, and is at present residing in Courtland, Neb.; Hannah U. became the wife of William B. Harris, a farmer of Monroe Township, this county; William R. married Hettie S. Fisher, and they are living near Indianapolis, this county; Mary I. is the wife of Eli C. Piersel, and they also reside near Indianapolis. The loving wife and kind mother departed this life April 12, 1883, her demise occurring on the farm in Monroe Township. In 1849 Mr. Bridges moved to Monroe Township, Mahaska County, locating at Indianapolis, where for four years he was engaged in merchandising. He was the first Postmaster there, and from that place moved on a farm in that township, where he embarked in the raising of stock and in the cultivation of his land, and continued in agricultural pursuits until August, 1885. He was a second time married, March 4, 1884, near Indianapolis, to Miss Rebecca E. Fisher. She was born in Zanesfield, Logan Co., Ohio, and to her union with our subject one child has been given, Earle F., born Dec. 14, 1884. Mr. Bridges was a member of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Iowa General Assemblies, and is the only man who has been his own successor in this county. He has held the minor offices of the county, such as Township Supervisor, School Director, Treasurer, etc. He was at one time proprietor of about 800 acres of land, but has divided it up among his children, with the exception of one farm of 120 acres, which he still owns, and is now living in retirement. Socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Triluminar Lodge at Oskaloosa. In politics he is a Republican, having voted with that party since its organization, and prior to that time was a Whig. He is a gentleman respected for his integrity, and is one of Mahaska County's leading and foremost citizens.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy