Capt. Oliver A. Bridgeford is a native of Ohio, born in 1830, and is the son of W. A. and Nancy (Wakland) Bridgford, whose sketch will appear in the biographical department of this township. Capt. Bridgford was educated in the common school, and came to Mercer county in 1843, one year after his father. his early life, till he was nineteen years old, was spent on the farm. At that age he went to California on a gold hunt ; he went across the plains with a team, remained in California two years, when he returned by way of Cuba and New York, satisfied that gold was cheaper in Illinois than in the gold regions.

In 1851 he settled in Millersburg, bought a half interest in his father's store, in which business he remained till 1861, when he raised Company I, 45th IL Vol., and entered the army, having been commissioned captain by Gov. Yates. He was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Fort Henry and Shiloh ; was wounded in the last named engagement. Having remained some time in the hospital at Savannah, he was furloughed home, and returned after forty days. At the end of twelve months after he entered the service, he resigned his commission because of disability to discharge the duties of his office, caused by the wound received at. Shiloh, and was discharged from the service and returned to his home in Millersburg. In the fall of 1862 he was elected sheriff of Mercer county, and served the full term, and then he returned to his store in Millersburg, where lie continued till March, 1878.

The following year he moved upon his farm near Joy, where lie now resides, since which time he has given his farm his entire attention. Capt. Bridgford was married in February, 1852, to Miss Eliza A. McLain, native of Kentucky, born in 1833, and daughter of Joseph and Susan McLain, now residents of Millersburg. They have ten children, five living : Medora E., Clayton W., Minnie L., Archie G., Miles E.

He owns a farm of 1.720 acres of land, all of which except eighty acres is in Mercer county. He raises thorough­bred cattle. Poland china. hogs and Leicester sheep. He keeps on his farm 100 head of stock cattle. 200 hogs. 150 sheep. and horses to carry on his farm work. He is among. if not the largest. tax payers in Millersburg township. He is a charter member of the lodge at Millersburg. onl y two of whom are no living. Notwithstanding his disabilit y from the wound received at Shiloh, lie receives no pension, neither has he made application for one. Politically he is a republican.