Genesee County MI Archives Biographies.....Bridgman, Charles T. 1845 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com November 22, 2007, 11:29 pm

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

CHARLES T. BRIDGMAN. This gentleman is the manager and one of the partners in
the largest mercantile establishment in the State, namely: Smith, Bridgman & Co.
He is a man of intelligence and extensive business connections and experience
and is considered one of the best financial managers in the State. He has
devoted much time to travel and reads upon every subject with which he comes in
contact in traveling. He has journeyed in every State and Territory in the
United States, with the exception of the Northwest corner of our domain which he
will explore during his next trip. He has visited Europe twice, taking his
family with him the second time when he spent some six months abroad.

  The firm of Smith, Bridgman & Co., was first organized in 1862 as William L.
Smith & Co. and has passed through various changes since then. Our subject was
born in Huntsburg, Ohio, December 6, 1845, and was a son of Charles Bridgman, a
native of Northampton, Mass., and a grandson of Noah Bridgman. Their ancestry is
traced back to James, who came from England to Massachusetts, in 1632. The
grandfather died here at the age of eighty years surrounded by his children and
grandchildren.

  The father was married in Massachusetts to Juliana Warren and became one of
the earliest settlers on what is known as the Western Reserve, in Ohio. He
carried on farming and the manufacture of brooms and died at Huntsburg at the
age of eighty-one. He was one of the original Abolitionists, being one of the
few who voted for James G. Birney. Upon the formation of the Republican party he
transferred his allegiance from the Whig ranks and was a stanch Republican till
death, and a member of the Congregational Church. His wife was an aunt of Bishop
H. W. Warren of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and also of William F. Warren,
President of the Boston University. She was a daughter of Cotton Mather Warren
and died in Ohio, in 1873, leaving three children—Lewis W., who died in Illinois
in 1868; William H., who resides in New York City, and our subject.

  Charles T. Bridgman had his early training in Ohio, but in 1859 being then
thirteen years of age he went with his brother W. H., to Chicago, and entered
the preparatory department of the University of that city. After two years in
that institution he returned to Ohio and at the age of eighteen entered
Russell's Military School, where he finished his education. In 1864, he entered
the employ of W. L. Smith & Co., in Flint, and soon took charge of the office,
and in 1871 became a partner in the concern. Three years later the name became
Smith, Bridgman & Co., which includes four partners, W. L. Smith, Eli T. Smith,
Charles H. Bowker and our subject. Their fine store measures 42x140 feet on the
ground and occupies four floors. They carry a fine stock of merchandise and have
an extensive trade. Mr. Bridgman is a stockholder of the First National Bank and
was a charter member of the Water Works Company. He was also a director of the
Conservatory of Music.

   The marriage of our subject with Miss Sarah McKay, took place in Caledonia,
N. Y., in 1870, and they have one child, Harry L., who graduated from the High
School of Flint in 1891, and is now a student in the University of Michigan,
taking the civil engineering course. Our subject was a  member of the Board of
Aldermen for two years and is a true blue Republican. He is a member of of the
Congregational Church and is on its Board of Trustees.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892


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