JOSEPH BRIDGES is a native of Boone County, Ky., born on the 6th of April, 1823. His grandfather, John Bridges, was a native of Virginia, and of Welsh descent. He served in Washington's army during the war of the Revolution, and distinguished himself by many acts of bravery during that struggle. He came West several years after the war, making the journey by flat-boats down the Ohio River, landing at the site of Maysville, Ky., and making his first settlement at Old Dover, in Mason County, being one of the first permanent residents of the section. He afterward moved to Boone County, and settled at Cobb's Station, now known as Richwood's Station, where he died at an early day at the advanced age of one hundred and six years. His widow, Jenny Bridges, died in Covington, Ky., a few years later, aged one hundred and three, Joseph Bridges, Sr., subject's father, was born in Virginia, where he lived until after marriage, when he came to Kentucky with his uncle and father, settling first in Mason County. Later he moved to Boone County, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1832, at the age of forty-five or forty-seven years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and served under Gen. Harrison; he was taken prisoner by the Indians at Fort Meigs, remained in captivity a short time, being afterward delivered from his enemies by a detachment of the American army. He was an active business man, and during his life accumulated a handsome competency. Subject's mother, Celia (Cooper) Bridges, was a daughter of Nyras Cooper, of Norfolk, Va. She died in Newport, Ky., in 1881, at the age of eighty-eight years. Joseph and Celia Bridges' children were Jane, John N., Caroline, Joseph (subject), William M., Seth C. and L. P., all of whom are living; the deceased children were Joseph and Slatie. Joseph Bridges, whose name heads this sketch, passed his youth upon the farm, and in school during the winter months. He afterward attended schools in Cincinnati, and commenced life on his own responsibility as a tobacconist, serving an apprenticeship several years with W. B. Murphy. He afterward worked at his trade at Napoleon, Louisville, Cincinnati, Covington and other places for a number of years, and, later, purchased a farm in Kenton County, four miles from Independence, on which he resided until 1856. In that year he disposed of his farm and moved to Livingston County, locating about four miles from Smithland, where he engaged in farming for one year, at the end of which time he moved to Carrsville, where he engaged in the tobacco business, opening a large factory in partnership with P. C. Barnett. They continued the business until 1861, at which time the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Bridges engaging in buying and shipping tobacco, in which he was very successful. He opened a hotel at the same time, also, and has kept public house ever since, his hotel being one of the best in the county at the present time. He discontinued the tobacco business in 1874, and since that time has been engaged dealing in stock, buying and shipping for the markets of Cincinnati and other places. Mr. Bridges has been a very active business man, but, like many others, he sustained heavy losses during the war, which interfered materially with the river trade. He was married, in the year 1846, to Mary G. Pavy, daughter of P. H. and Lucy Pavy. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bridges: Lucinda J., America A., M. F. (deceased), Josie, J. R., Belle, Ruth, L. E., R. L. and Willie. Mr. Bridges belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is also a member of Boone Lodge No. 1, I. O. O. F., the first society of Odd Fellows constituted in Kentucky. In politics he was originally a Whig, but since the dissolution of his party, he has been independent, generally voting with the Democrats.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 810-811.