John Anthony Bridenthal

Hon. David Bridenthal, whose name is closely associated with the farming

interests of Washington County, Ark., is the son of John A. and Elizabeth

(Hoevel) Bridenthal. The father was born in Germany, and when about eight

years of age he and a younger brother were playing on an emigrant ship when

it set sail. They were found on board, hut as they were only two little Dutch

boys, it was thought best not to turn back. On reaching Baltimore, Md., they

were sold to a restaurant keeper, but a few years later John A., coming to the

conclusion that he did not want to open oyster shells any longer, ran away to

Pennsylvania, and was afterward joinetl by his brotl:.er, who became a wealthy

iron manufacturer. John A. Bridenthal, as he grew up, evinced a strong liking

for his books, and became au intelligent man. He was a weaver by trade. After

reaching manhood he married Miss Hoevel, a native of Pennsylvania, and when

their son, David, was an infant, they moved to Ohio. In their old age they

resided with a married daughter in Moniteau County, Mo., where they died, she

at the age of fifty-six and he at the age of eighty-eight. Both were members

of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he was a Democrat in politics until the

slavery question was brought up, when he became an Abolitionist. In their

family were six children, three sons and three daughters. The youngest of

these children, David, was born July 7, 1824, near Woodbury, Penn., and was

educated first in the common schools, and afterward attended select school in

Wooster, Ohio. At the age of about seventeen he entered Granville College,

where he attended through the sophomore year. Afterward he taught for

several years, and in 1847 was elected professor of Latin and Greek in Union.

University, at Murfreesboro, Tenn., where he continued for about three years.

In 1850 he established the Mountain Home Female Academy, in the mountains

of Northern Alabama, and conducted the same for several years, after which

he moved to Texas, where be entered the legal profession, being admitted to

the bar about 1856. In 1862 be enlisted in the Confederate army, and was in

service for about two years. While in Murfreesboro, in 1848, he married Miss

Catherine L. Ashford, a native of North Alabama, and to them were born five

children: Ada, Thomas J., Lizzie H., David A. and Maud. Ada is deceased

and the rest are all married. Mrs. Bridenthal died in 1876. She was a member

of the Baptist Church. They came to this county in 1866, and here Mr. Brictenthal

has been very successful, being the owner of 700 acres of land, which he bas

divided among his children. He is a Democrat in his political opinions, and

represented Washington County in the Arkansas Legislature during the session

of 1873 and 1874. ·