My Genealogy Hound

JACOB BURRIDGE. One of the prominent citizens of Benton Harbor is the subject of this biographical notice. His popularity is evinced by the large circle of acquaintances he possesses, all of whom bear tribute to the nobility of his character. For a number of years Mr. Burridge has been engaged in raising fruit, and now owns one of the finest and most highly-improved fruit farms in Berrien County. Being located only three and one-half miles from the city of Benton Harbor, it is convenient to the market, and can also be personally superintended by the owner from his home in the town.

The Green Mountain State was the early home of Mr. Burridge and he was born in that State, in the town of Braintree, Orange County, on the 25th of September, 1825. His father, Jacob, was likewise a native of Vermont, where Grandfather Jacob Burridge had made a settlement upon emigrating from England. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Sallie Spear and was born in Vermont, her ancestors having emigrated to this country from Scotland. With the thrift and probity characteristic of Scotch people, our subject combines the perseverance and determination of the English, and these traits have contributed largely to his success.

The record of the childhood of Mr. Burridge is a simple one. The winters were passed in the school, where he was fitted for actual contact with the business world, and the summer seasons were spent on the home farm, where he early learned lessons of industry. After leaving school, he commenced to work on the railroad, and continued thus engaged for a period of seven years. In 1854 he removed to the site of the present large and prosperous city of Winona, Minn., and he became one of the early settlers of that place, where for a time he followed farming pursuits, and later was the proprietor of an hotel for seven years.

In 1865 Mr. Burridge came to Benton Harbor and purchased a farm three and one-half miles from the city, which he still owns. The place consists of thirty-six acres and upon it he raises the very finest grades of peaches, apples and pears. In addition to the farm, he is the owner of a substantial business block in Benton Harbor. In his political views he is an outspoken advocate of the Democratic party, and favors all measures calculated to promote the progress of his fellow-townsmen. He resides in the city, where he has a pleasant and cozily furnished home at No. 185 Belleview Street. The lady who presides over this home with an ever-gracious hospitality was formerly Miss Olive Sargent, of Canada. She was the daughter of Benjamin Sargent, a native of Maine and a descendant of English ancestors, who emigrated from Great Britain in an early day and settled in the State of Maine. The marriage of Mr. Burridge to Miss Sargent was solemnized in 1856 and was blessed by the birth of two sons, in the loss of whom by death this worthy couple suffered an irreparable loss.