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Below is a family biography included in The History of Washington County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Hon. David Bridenthal, whose name is closely associated with the farming interests of Washington County, Ark., is the son of John A. and Elizabeth (Hoevel) Bridenthal. The father was born in Germany, and when about eight years of age he and a younger brother were playing on an emigrant ship when it set sail. They were found on board, but as they were only two little Dutch boys, it was thought best not to turn back. On reaching Baltimore, Md., they were sold to a restaurant keeper, but a few years later John A., coming to the conclusion that he did not want to open oyster shells any longer, ran away to Pennsylvania, and was afterward joined by his brother, who became a wealthy iron manufacturer. John A. Bridenthal, as he grew up, evinced a strong liking for his books, and became an intelligent man. He was a weaver by trade. After reaching manhood he married Miss Hoevel, a native of Pennsylvania, and when their son, David, was an infant, they moved to Ohio. In their old age they resided with a married daughter in Moniteau County, Mo., where they died, she at the age of fifty-six and he at the age of eighty-eight. Both were members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he was a Democrat in politics until the slavery question was brought up, when he became an Abolitionist. In their family were six children, three sons and three daughters. The youngest of these children, David, was born July 7, 1824, near Woodbury, Penn., and was educated first in the common schools, and afterward attended select school in Wooster, Ohio. At the age of about seventeen he entered Granville College, where he attended through the sophomore year. Afterward he taught for several years, and in 1847 was elected professor of Latin and Greek in Union University, at Murfreesboro, Tenn., where he continued for about three years. In 1850 he established the Mountain Home Female Academy, in the mountains of Northern Alabama, and conducted the same for several years, after which he moved to Texas, where he entered the legal profession, being admitted to the bar about 1856. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate army, and was in service for about two years. While in Murfreesboro, in 1848, he married Miss Catherine L. Ashford, a native of North Alabama, and to them were born five children: Ada, Thomas J., Lizzie H., David A. and Maud. Ada is deceased and the rest are all married. Mrs. Bridenthal died in 1876. She was a member of the Baptist Church. They came to this county in 1866, and here Mr. Bridenthal has been very successful, being the owner of 700 acres of land, which he has divided among his children. He is a Democrat in his political opinions, and represented Washington County in the Arkansas Legislature during the session of 1873 and 1874.

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This family biography is one of 300 biographies included in The History of Washington County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Washington County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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