My Genealogy Hound

Charles S. Berridge, of the drug and grocery firm of Berridge & Berridge, of Orion, Oakland County, agents for the American Express Company and the Aetna & Pennsylvania Fire Insurance Company, was born at Greenfield, Wayne County, Michigan, near Six Mile Road, a little west of the present Detroit Golf Club grounds, September 9, 1853. He is a son of Joseph W. and Elizabeth (Walt) Berridge, the former of whom was born at Paddington and the latter at York, England.

Joseph W. Berridge came to the United States a young man of 26 years and his first work was in assisting to raise the banks of a mill pond, for which labor he was paid wages, one-half in cash and one-half in whisky. One year later, in 1831, he came to Michigan and opened a tavern at Plymouth road and Grand River avenue, where the building still stands. Later he bought three tracts of 80 acres each on Six Mile road where he followed farming and also conducted the hostelry known to many weary travelers for many years as the Six Mile House. His last years were spent with his sons and his death took place December 20, 1901, while visiting a son at Otter Lake. He was one of the most venerable citizens of Oakland County, having been born December 26, 1803. His wife died December 23, 1884, in her 71st year. She was a daughter of William Walt who settled in Orion township in 1831 on the farm now owned by Charles W. Berridge. The children born to Joseph W. Berridge and wife were as follows: Jonathan, a resident of Bay City, Michigan; Mary, wife of John Allington of Kochville, Saginaw County, Michigan; Eliza, wife of David McVean, of Detroit; George, of Otter Lake, Michigan; William, of Midland, Michigan; Walter, of Flint, Michigan; Charles S., of this sketch; and two who died in infancy.

Our subject was reared at Detroit until he was six years old and accompanied his parents thence to Orion, from that town to Saginaw, from Saginaw to Flint and from there to Clio. His first schooling was obtained in the Clark district and his teacher, Jane Uden, is now the widow of Josiah Clark and a resident of Orion township. He attended the schools in the neighborhood of the farm during the few winter months, but from the time he was 10 years of age he has made his own way in the world. It is interesting to know how a lad of such tender years could earn his own living in those days, and we learn that he was engaged to “pay off boards” and to work white lead into the seams of boats after they had been caulked. After the family removed to Flint, he bought a push wagon and sold popcorn through the streets, after the manner of the present vendors of that delicacy, and thus earned quite a sum of money during vacations when he was not attending school. At the age of 20 years he bought a grocery business at Clio, Genesee County, Michigan, but this proved a loss, as his entire stock was destroyed by fire. He then engaged as a clerk with Mr. Reed, and later embarked in a hardware business. On September 9, 1882, Mr. Berridge moved to Orion and opened up his present line of business, in which he has met with success. He is a prominent citizen of Orion and for two terms has served as village treasurer; before locating in Orion, he had held offices in other localities.

On January 13, 1876, Mr. Berridge married Mary L. Griswold, at Thetford, Michigan, who was born near Lockport, New York. Their three children are: Ralph G., of Fresno, California; Mabel W., and Lena G. Fraternally Mr. Berridge is a member of the Masons, Knights of Loyal Guards, K. O. T. M., Foresters and the Tribe of Ben Hur. Politically he is a Prohibitionist.