Joel Harrison Bridges

Joel H. Bridges  sergeant  Co. H, 26th MO Inf 

Joel Harrison Bridges was born April 2, 1833, in Marion county, Tennessee.  His father was John A. Bridges, who was born on Sept. 13, 1801 in Loudoun county, Virginia, and died sometime after 1870 in Tennessee.  Joel's mother was Ester (Esther?) Anderson, who was born May 29, 1809 in Virginia and also died after 1870.  Joel's parents were married in the Glade Spring Presbyterian Church, in Washington County, Virginia.  For children and descendents of John A. and Ester Bridges, go to the following link: http://awt.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=captrah&id=I6199 Sometime after 1850 and prior to the Civil War, Joel moved to Missouri.  When the war broke out, Joel was working as a farmer near Chamois in Osage county.  He decided to join the Union army and enlisted on October 5, 1861.  He was sent to Castle Rock with other men from Osage county to be mustered into service.

Joel Harrison Bridges in later life Photo courtesy Shelia Vines

Joel was mustered into service on January 10, 1862, by Lieut. William Wherry, one of the heroes of the battle of Wilson Creek and soon to be named Congressional Medal of Honor winner. Joel is also believed to have served in Capt. Flower's Co. (B), Osage County Batt'n Mo. Home Guard prior to his service with the 26th Missouri.

Joel's time with the 26th Missouri infantry regiment was brief.  His pension papers indicate that he had a hernia, stomach troubles and was plagued by bad lungs due to pneumonia.  He indicated these problems originated during his time in service.  The camp conditions and the operations against Corinth, Mississippi, in the spring of 1862 took a heavy toll on the health of the 26th Missouri and certainly affected Sergeant Bridges.  Joel was sent back to St. Louis and was discharged there on October 1, 1862.  His orders were signed by General Eugene Carr (link to another site). 

Joel returned to Osage county and met and married Mary Catherine Allen in 1864.  Mary Catherine was born May 25, 1846 possibly in Tennessee.  Mary Catherine's mother was Eliza B. Smith and her father may have been James W. Allen, but family records indicate her father's name may have been Henry Allen.  Joel and Mary had two children:

John Lilburn born Feb. 1, 1864   d. Feb. 27, 1884, Texas.

Melissa Esther born June 12, 1867 in St. Mary's, Missouri.  She married Robert Thomas "Tom" Chaney in 1882 in Texas. She died May 6, 1956 in Comanche, Texas.

Between the birth of her last child in 1867 and the 1870 U. S. Federal Census, Mary Catherine died.  As so often happened in those times, her death may have been due to the complications of childbirth.  After the death of Mary Catherine, Joel then met Margaret Ann Lane, who was born in May 15, 1837 in Virginia.  They were married in June 1871.  Margaret and Joel had 2 children:

Lalla Rebecca Bridges was born July 30, 1873, in Missouri, and died June 20, 1909, in Comanche Co., TX. She is buried at the Stage Creek Cemetery in Comanche.  Lalla married Landon "Lann" Leroy Vines November 22, 1891, in Comanche, Texas.  Lann was born November 30, 1872, and died July 20, 1956, in Eastland, Eastland County, Texas.  Both are buried in the Stage Creek Cemetery in Comanche, Texas.

Hattie b. 1875 d. 1876

Joel Bridges and his family lived in Osage county, Missouri until his marriage to Margaret in 1871.  He then moved his family to Maries county and lived there until 1876.  Determined to find a better living for his family and possibly looking for a warmer climate to ease his ailing lungs, Joel moved his family to central Texas and settled near the little town of Bibb (no longer in existence).  Bibb, also known as Bibb Mission, was located twelve miles northwest of Comanche in northwestern Comanche County.  Joel farmed there to make a living for his family. On February 11, 1906, Margaret Bridges died.  Joel buried his wife in Martins Creek Cemetery near Duster, Texas.  With his health declining, Joel moved to Nolan county, Texas, to live with his daughter, Melissa Chaney and her family.  Joel Bridges died on February 15, 1917 and was buried with his wife Margaret in Martins Creek Cemetery.  Joel's tombstone is shown to the right in the little cemetery, which is a nearly forgotten place of about 10 stones.  It is located about 10 miles northwest of Comanche on a county road, off highway 36.

Joel Harrison Bridges tombstone in Martin Springs Cemetery Photo courtesy Shelia Vines

Sources:

1. Vines, Shelia;  Bridges Family researcher, January, 2005; VShelia@aol.com

2. 1850 U.S. Federal Census; District 3, Madison Co., Tennessee; Roll: M432_889; Page: 376 , dw. 8, fam. 8, Joel H. Bridges age 17 living with John and Easter Bridges.

3.  1870 U.S. Federal Census; Benton twp., Osage Co., Missouri; Roll: M593_796; Page: 59 , dw. 193, fam. 193, Joel H. Bridges age 38.

4.  1880 U.S. Federal Census; Precinct #5, Comanche Co., Texas; Roll: T9_1297; Page: 20B (128); E.D.: 32, dw. 153,  J. H. Bridges age 47.

5. 1900 U. S. Federal Census, Justice Precinct #6, Comanche Co., Texas, E. D. 32, page 23A (275) 378/380, number of years married 28, Margaret age 63, May 1837, Virginia.

6. 1910 U. S. Federal Census, Precinct #7, Nolan Co., Texas, E. D. 181, page 8B 197/140, Joel H. Bridges, age 77, widower, living with son-in-law R. Tom Chaney and daughter Melissa.

7.  United States National Archives. Civil War Compiled Military Service Records [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 1999-.