Charles L. Bridge was born January 6, 1852 at Clinton, Massachussetts. He had one brother, Henry, fifteen years his senior, who died at 25. Charles, age ten, was left to carry on the family name. When he was 15, his father died leaving him and his mother. Charles attended school for several years. He was an accomplished musician, harness maker and carpenter.
His mother decided there was more opportunity for Charles in the west, so sent him on his way. He traveled by stage, oxen and on foot until he reached the Missouri River. From there he walked to central Nebraska. He settled on a farm near Ewing. Charles married Mahalia Chapan and was the first to do so in Holt County. They had ten children: Henry, Nellie, C. William; Jessie, Mary, Fredrick, Rufas, James , Grace and A Arthur. Charles was an original member of the Ewing band. A Arthur married Rosa Belle Harvey in 1907. They worked on a farm west of Orchard. Five children were born: Harrison, Edythe, Clifford and Kenneth. Edna was last. In 1920 they moved southwest of Orchard and later west of Orchard. In 1931 they purchased their own farm in Pleasant Valley community where they resided until 1957. They moved into Orchard. Art died in 1966. Harrison Bridge operated a service station in O'Neill for nine years. He and Opal Landis were married in 1934, two children. Edna married Ray Reed in 1932 the farmed north of Orchard until 1972. Ray died in 1982; two children, Ronald and Karena. Edythe married Marvin Howard in 1931 and lived north of Orchard until 1936 when they moved south of Orchard. Marvin passed away in 1974 and Edythe moved to Orchard where she died in 1978. Clifford married Gwendolyn Luth in 1940. Kenneth married Arlene Davis and remained on the farm. He served in the Army Air Force in World War II. Two children: Cheryl and Dennis.
Source Unknown: Originally submitted for this website in June 2007