My Genealogy Hound

Robert Sharpe Bridgman was born in Moultrie County, Ill., in 1853, being the son of William and Amanda Bridgman. The former was born and reared in Illinois; the mother was born in Kentucky, and died in 1867 in Cumberland County, Ill. William Bridgman married again, and came to Arkansas in December, 1877, and located near Charleston, Franklin County. He has been a Baptist minister for over forty years. Robert S. was reared on a farm near Charleston, Ill., and had the advantage of a common-school education. He began teaching school at the age of seventeen, and at twenty embarked in merchandising in Casey, Ill., in the stove and tinware business. In 1877 he studied medicine in the office of his brother, Dr. N. S. Bridgman, at York, Ill., but gave up this profession, and came to Arkansas in December, 1877. He resumed business again the following year at Roseville, Ark., and after a short time removed to Charleston, where he has built up a good trade. His goods and effects consist of a stock of merchandise, houses and lots, farming lands, the Vindicator office, etc., etc., worth $5,000. Mr. Bridgman was married November 26, 1879, to Miss Laura Swinney, the only daughter of James O. and Lucinda Swinney. They have two children, Clarence, a boy of seven, and Nettie, aged three years. Mr. Bridgman took no part in the late war, being too young at the time to enlist. He has never aspired to office, but has filled various minor positions, such as recorder for the town council, clerk of the Concord Baptist Association, and in 1884 was elected mayor of Charleston, Ark. He is a Democrat, and himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church. They have always contributed to any and all good causes to the full limit of their ability. He is a member of the K. of H. Mr. Bridgman bought the Vindicator in 1885, and has been its editor ever since, conducting the paper with signal success and marked ability.