Marion Franklin "Frank" Bridgman

Marion Franklin "Frank" Bridgman was born about 1852, in Maniteau County, Missouri.  He was the son of James Bridgman and Adelia Proctor. 

Some researchers believe Marion Franklin was born in 1837.  He does not appear on a census until 1860 Ellis County, Texas, at which time he is listed as 8 years old.

Marion Franklin reported on the 1930 census that he as a Civil War veteran.  He apparently lied considerably about his age if he indeed served during the War.  At most he couldn't have been more than 13 or 14 in 1865 when the war ended.  We have not yet located his Civil War records. 

We do know that Frank, as he was sometimes called, left home at a young age.  The 1870 Holt County, Missouri census shows  Frank Bridgman, 28, farmer, $1500 real property, $1000 personal property, born in Missouri.  (This census indicates he was born in 1842.)  He was living with the Blair Harrison family.   

Frank married Elizabeth  A. Smith about 1874. 

The couple apparently resided in Kansas for a time after their marriage.  Census indicates their son was born about 1876 in Kansas.  They returned to Missouri prior to 1880.

The1880 Holt County, Missouri census shows M. F. Bridgeman, 36, laborer, born in Missouri, father born in Tennessee, mother born in Kentucky; Elizabeth, 38, wife, born in Arkansas and Marion F., 4, son, born in Kansas.  (This census indicates Frank was born about 1844 and Elizabeth about 1842.)

The 1900 Nemaha County, Kansas census shows Marion Bridgman, born June 1849, 50, married 25 years, a night watch for the city, born Missouri, father born Tennessee, mother born Kentucky; Elizabeth A., wife, born August 1837, 62, married 25 years, had given birth to 9 children, 2 children were still living and John R. Vassar, step-son, born March 1866, 34, single, born in Kansas, a day laborer.  (Remember that Frank did not show on the 1850 census and was 8 on the 1860 census.  Elizabeth is also shown much older on the census.  We assume by this census that Elizabeth was married prior to her marriage to Frank and that she had at least one child from this union.  We don't know where her son was in 1880, as he did not appear on the census with Frank and Elizabeth.)

Elizabeth died between 1900 and 1910.  Frank migrated to Nebraska. 

The 1910 Perkins County, Nebraska census shows  Frank Bridgeman, a hired man working as a carpenter, 71, married 2 times, born in Missouri, father born Tennessee, mother born Kentucky,  living with his employer, John M. Roberts.  (This census indicates Frank was born in 1839, yet he was only 8 years old in 1860.  We know nothing about a second marriage at this point.  We keep including the birth location of Frank's parents so researchers will know that Frank, M. Franklin and Marion F. are all the same person.)

Frank returned to Missouri prior to 1920.  He also remarried prior to that time. 

The 1920 Andrew County, Missouri census shows Marion F. Bridgman, 82, a farmer, born in Missouri, father born Tennessee, mother born Kentucky and Laura, wife, 62, born in Missouri.  (This census indicates Frank was born about 1838.)

The 1830, Buchanan County, Missouri census shows M. Franklin Bridgeman, 92, widowed, born in Missouri, a Civil War Veteran and Amanda C. Boyd, housekeeper, 64, widowed, born in Missouri, a private home housekeeper who was taking care of Frank.  (This census also indicates Frank was born about 1838.)

Some researchers say Frank died June 6, 1938, in Buchanan County, Missouri.

Child of Marion Franklin Bridgman and Elizabeth Smith