(NOTE: Julius Bridegroom probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War and it is unlikely that during his year in the service, he had much of an opportunity to site for a portrait for he spent much of that time in the field and in hospitals.
However, Julius Bridegroom survived the war and lived well into the 20th century. During his life, Julius probably had his picture taken dozens of times, if not hundreds of times, yet we only have a photocopy of a picture and a couple group shots, of him here on his Find A Grave Memorial. If he did have time to have a Civil War period CDV made, I would dearly love to see a copy of it added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see. However, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see some more pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)

Private JULIUS BRIDEGROOM, Co. E, 86th Illinois

Julius Bridegroom was born on August __, 1846 in ____________, Germany, the son of Jacob Bridegroom and Johanna (Schram) Bridegroom. Jacob Bridegroom was born on December 1, 1819 in Germany, the son of ____________ Bridegroom and Marian (Harnish) Bridegroom, who was born c. May 7, 1795 in Germany. Johanna Schram was born on February 22, 1822 in Germany.
In the 1877 list of Voters and Taxpayers of Bureau County, Illinois, the following is found;
BRIDEGROOM JACOB . . Farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. Lombardville; born in Dukedom Saxony Altenburg, Dec. 1, 1819; he lived in Germany thirty-four years, and came to this country in 1854; lived in Steubenville, Ohio, four months; came to this state in the Spring 1855, lived in Peoria Co. fourteen years, and came to this county March 4, 1869; Rep; Luth; owns 155 acres land, value $11,625; he married Miss Johanna Schram, step-daughter of Godfreit Thurm, April 17, 1844; she was born in Saxony Altenburg, Germany, Feb. 22, 1822; they have eight children, two sons and six daughters; lost three daughters.

The children born to Jacob Bridegroom and Johanna (Schram) Bridegroom are believed to include;
1. John Bridegroom, born c. 1843/44 in Germany. John is found with the family in 1860 in Akron Township of Peoria County, Illinois. Nothing more is known about him at this time.

2. Julius Bridegroom, born August __, 1846 in Germany. Julius was married to Corilla Carter on October 6, 1872 in Peoria County, Illinois. See his biography below.

3. Sophia Bridegroom, born September 1, 1850 in Germany. Sophia Bridegroom was married to Levi Blessing (1847 - 1940) on March 3, 1870 in Bureau County, Illinois. Sophia and Levi were the parents of 10 children, 8 of whom were still living in 1900;
A. Ida M Howrey (1871 - 1956)*

B. Emma Estella Blessing Braymen (1873 - 1963)*

C. Julius E. Blessing (1875 - 1882)*

D. Lily Rose Blessing (1880 - 1882)

E. Elmer Blessing, born June __, 1882 in Iowa.

F. Earnst/Earnest Blessing, born July __, 1884 in Iowa.

G. Mary L. Blessing, born March __, 1887 in Iowa.

H. John Jacob Blessing, born June __, 1889 in Iowa. John died on ___________ __, 1903.

I. Fred L. Blessing, born September __, 1892 in Iowa.

J. ___________ Blessing, born in 18__ and died young.

At the time of the 1900 census, Sophia and her family are found in Morton Township, Page County, Iowa. She is listed as having migrated to America about 1853;
Levi Blessing Head M May 1847 53 Pennsylvania
Sophia Blessing Wife F Sep 1850 50 Germany
Elmer Blessing Son M Jun 1882 18 Iowa
Earnst O Blessing Son M Jul 1884 16 Iowa
Mary L Blessing Daughter F Mar 1887 13 Iowa
John J Blessing Son M Jun 1889 11 Iowa
Fred L Blessing Son M Sep 1892 8 Iowa

Sophia (Bridegroom) Blessing died later that year on November 22, 1900 in Bingham, Page County, Iowa and her mortal remains were laid in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah, Page County, Iowa. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 137574687.

4. Amelia Bridegroom, born November __, 1851/52 in Germany. Amelia was married to Fred Keene on February 17, 1878 in Bureau County, Illinois. Amelia and Fred were the parents of four children, three of whom were living in 1900;
A. Harry J Keene, born March __, 1879 in Illinois.

B. Elsie M Keene, born July __, 1884 in Iowa.

C. Fred E Keene, born August __, 1886 in Iowa.

D. Ralph Keene, born in 1889 in _____________ and died on ____________ __, 1890. His mortal remains were laid in the Norton Cemetery in Norton, Norton County, Kansas.

At the time of the 1900 census, Amelia and her family are found in Aldine & Harrison Townships, Norton County, Kansas;
Fred Keene Head M Oct 1845 55 Germany
Amelia Keene Wife F Nov 1851 49 Germany
Harry J Keene Son M Mar 1879 21 Illinois
Elsie M Keene Daughter F Jul 1884 16 Iowa
Fred E Keene Son M Aug 1886 14 Iowa

Amelia (Bridegroom) Keene died on ____________ __, 1924 in Kansas and her mortal remains were laid in the Norton Cemetery in Norton, Norton County, Kansas. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 49689364.

5. Herman Bridegroom Sr. was born ___________ __, 18__ in Germany, the son of Jacob Bridegroom and Johanna (Schram) Bridegroom. This also could be the John Bridegroom listed above as there only supposed to be two sons. Herman Sr. came to America about 1853/54 with his parents and they came to Peoria County, Illinois in the spring of 1855. Herman Sr. was married to Caroline Hartung on January 2, 1879 in Bureau County, Illinois. Caroline Hartung was born on April __, 1849. Only one child was born to Herman Sr. and Caroline;
A. Herman Jacob Bridegroom, born February 20, 1880 in Kansas. Herman is found living with his mother in the 1900 and 1910 census records in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. Herman was married to Lillian "Linnie" ___________. They are not believed to have had any children.
At the time of the 1940 census, Herman and Linnie are found residing at what is identified as 422 1/2 Fulton Street in Ward 3 of the city of Peoria, Peoria City Township, Peoria County, Illinois;
Herman Bridegroom Head M 60 Kansas
Linnie Bridegroom Wife F 59 Illinois

Herman J. Bridegroom died on ____________ __, 1955 and his mortal remains were laid in Springdale Cemetery in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial #79955617.

Herman Bridegroom Sr. must have died sometime between 1880 or 1900. It is not known whether he died in Kansas, Illinois or somewhere else. See his Find A Grave Memorial #157868126.
At the time of the 1900 census, Caroline and her son, Herman, are found back in Peoria Township, District 1 Peoria city Ward 1, Peoria County, Illinois. She is widowed;
Carrie Bridegroom Head F Apr 1849 51 Germany
Herman Bridegroom Son M Feb 1880 20 Kansas

At the time of the 1910 census, Caroline and her newly married son, Herman, are found in Peoria Ward 1, Peoria County, Illinois;
H J Bridegroom Head M 30 Kansas
Lillian Bridegroom Wife F 27 Illinois
C P Bridegroom Mother F 58 Germany

Caroline (Hartung) Bridegroom died on ___________ __, 1919 in Peoria County, Illinois. Her mortal remains were laid in the Springdale Cemetery in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 79955606.

6. Emma Bridegroom was born November 14, 1857 in Illinois, the daughter of Jacob Bridegroom. Emma was married to Peter Thurm on November 20, 1880 in Bureau County, Illinois. Peter and Emma (Bridegroom) Sturm were the parents of two daughter according to the 1900 census;
A. Clara B. Thurm, born July __, 1881/82/83. Clara was married to Nicholas Stauffer on July 14, 1903 in Stark County, Illinois. Nicholas was born c. 1877/78.

B. Maud Thurm, born September __, 1886 in Illinois

At the time of the 1900 census, Emma and her family are found in Osceola Township, Bradford village, Stark County, Illinois;
Peter Thurm Head M Nov 1856 44 Illinois
Emma Thurm Wife F Nov 1857 43 Illinois
Clara Thurm Daughter F Jul 1883 17 Illinois
Maud Thurm Daughter F Sep 1886 14 Illinois

Emma (Bridegroom) Thurm died on May 5, 1934 in Princeton, Bureau County, Illinois. Her mortal remains were laid in the Oakland Cemetery in Princeton, Bureau County, Illinois on May 7, 1934.

7. ____________ Bridegroom,

8. ____________ Bridegroom,

At the time of the 1860 census, the Bridegroom family is found in Arkon Township, Peoria County, Illinois, where they are farming. The name is recorded as Bradcomb;
Jacob Bradcomb M 40 Farmer Saxony
Edmond Ryan M 32 Farm Hand Ireland
Anna Bradcomb F 38 Saxony
John Bradcomb M 16 Farm Saxony
Julius Bradcomb M 14 Saxony
Sophia Bradcomb F [Illegible] Saxony
Amelia Bradcomb F 8 Saxony
Emma Bradcomb F 3 Ills

At the time of the 1870 census, Jacob and his family are found in Milo Township, Bureau County, Illinois;
Jacob Bridgroom M 50 Saxony
Amelia Bridgroom F 17 Saxony
Emma Bridgroom F 12 Illinois
Mary Bridgroom F 75 Saxony
August Stadtz M 23 Saxony
Henry Gosse M 17 Illinois

At the time of the 1880 census, Jacob and his family are found in Milo, Bureau County, Illinois;
Jacob Bridegroom Self M 60 Germany
Mary Bridegroom Mother F 85 Germany
Emma Bridegroom Daughter F 22 Illinois
Sylvester Smelsey Other M 31 Germany

Marian "Mary" (Harnish) Bridegroom died on September 27, 1880 in Bureau County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Tiskilwa, Bureau County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 59955894.

Jacob Bridegroom lived on in Bureau County and died on February 8, 1897 in Tiskilwa, Bureau County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Tiskilwa, Bureau County, Illinois

Now to continue with the biography of Julius Bridegroom;
As seen above, Jacob Bridgroom came to America about 1854, lived in Steubenville, Ohio with his parents for four months, before coming on to Illinois with his parents in the spring of 1855 when he was about 8 years of age. Jacob Bridegroom grew to manhood farming in Akron Township of Peoria County. At the time of the 1860 census, their name is recorded as Bradcomb;
Akron Township, Peoria, Illinois, United States
Jacob Bradcomb M 40 Farmer Saxony
Edmond Ryan M 32 Farm Hand Ireland
Anna Bradcomb F 38 Saxony
John Bradcomb M 16 Farm Saxony
Julius Bradcomb M 14 Saxony
Sophia Bradcomb F [Illegible] Saxony
Amelia Bradcomb F 8 Saxony
Emma Bradcomb F 3 Ills

On January 19, 1864, Julius Bridegroom went into Peoria, Illinois with his friend, Benjamin F. Smith, where they volunteered to serve as recruits to help fill up the badly depleted ranks of Co. E of the 86th Illinois. Company E of the 86th was raised in August of 1862 in Marshall, Stark and Bureau Counties by a local well known farmer by the name of Orlando Fountain for service in the Union Army during the Civil War. Benjamin's older brother, George Arnold Smith had volunteered to serve in this company in August of 1862 and had been elected to serve as 2nd Sergeant at that time by the men of that company.
At the time he volunteered, Julius is recorded as being 18 years of age. At this time, we believe that he was actually only 17 years of age, as we believe that he was born in August of 1846. So whether we are wrong or whether he lied about his age is not known. Julius listed Akron Township of Peoria County as his place of residence.

ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name BRIDEGROOM, JULIUS
Rank PVT Company E Unit 86 IL US INF

Personal Characteristics
Residence AKRON, PEORIA CO, IL Age 18 Height 5' 5 Hair BROWN
Eyes HAZEL Complexion FLORID Marital Status N/A Occupation FARMER
Nativity GERMANY

Service Record
Joined When JAN 19, 1864 Joined Where PEORIA, IL
Joined By Whom CPT ALLAN Period 3 YRS
Muster In JAN 21, 1864 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks IN HOSPITAL AT NASHVILLE TENN WOUNDED AT KENESAW MOUNTAIN GA JUN 27, 1864

At the time Julius and Benjamin volunteered, the 86th Illinois was encamped near McAfee's Church on the edge of the Chickamauga, Georgia battelfield. Of the time, Kinnear in his HISTORY OF THE 86TH wrote, "The beginning of the year 1864 found the Eighty-sixth regiment in camp at McAfee's church, busily engaged in building shanties and preparing for the winter, which was extremely cold and disagreeable. These rude habitations were soon made comfortable, and had we been well provided with provisions and clothing, everything would have passed off gay and lively. Eighteen hundred and sixty-three passed away, taking with it many fond recollections, and many, too, that were not pleasant. The hardships and privations we were called upon to endure, together with our successes and pleasures, seemed now to be nothing more than an apologue of which the moral is the only reliable feature. There was good cause for rejoicing for success had attended our arms on land and sea. The Mississippi had been opened, and the enemy amazingly defeated at every point in the South-west. Our encampment on the Chickamauga battleground had a fine location, and possessed many advantages in wood and water. A deal of pains and labor was taken to make this camp comfortable and healthy. Green trees were set out in front of the company grounds, which beautified and made them enchanting."
Kinnear continued, "This vicinity of the South is noted for its grand natural scenery, nowhere to be surpassed. We read of the romantic scenery of the Oriental world---of the versatility of Italia's summer winds---of the magic charms of her hills, her rills, and dales; but the realities here presented are more enchanting than the probabilities of a might be in other parts of the world. From the heights of Lookout mountain the country around has the appearance of one vast field of ridges, tending in their direction from north to south. This mountain is 2,500 feet above the level of the Tennessee, and from the Point of Rocks, a man in the valley below appears to be no larger than one's thumb, and a train of cars gliding along at its base has the appearance of tiny toys. Chattanooga, a distance of more than five miles, seems to lie directly at its base. The first range of ridges to the eastward of Lookout range is known as Missionary Ridge. The next in succession are the Pea Vine, Pigeon, Taylor's, and Rocky Face. Missionary Ridge, the scene of Bragg's disaster, breaks off from its regular course at Rossville, in a curve to the eastward, striking the river some five miles above Chattanooga thus forming on the south and south-east a perfect wall of natural defenses, upon which, for two months, lay the besieging forces of the Confederate army. To complete the semicircle of walls around Chattanooga on the south side of the river, Lookout mountain stands in its huge dimensions, a key to the south-west."
Kinnear continued, "In the Chickamauga valley, on the southeast side of Missionary Ridge, from McAfee’s church to Lee and Gordon’s Mills, is the site of the Chickamauga battlefield. That place, even when we went there to camp more than three months after the battle, presented a repulsive sight. The enactment of that terrible conflict, when leaden rain fell thick and fast around us, when the dying were gasping in the last agonies of death, when wounded and dead men covered the gory field, and the terrible thought of immediate danger crowded our minds,---produced not half the emotions of human misery that were experienced nearly four months afterwards when we viewed the same field. Here and there could be seen the putrefied form of a human creature in Union garb. Sometimes the skull and other members of the body were seen detached along the road-side or on a stump, having been taken from their peaceful repose by ruthful hands or hungry dogs."
Kinnear continued, "The entire field was yet cumbered with great numbers of our dead, and, in most cases, the flesh had fallen from the bones, leaving nothing but the mere skeleton. Years hence, children yet unborn will find, in their sports upon this field, a skull or a bone of these poor victims, and wonder and ask what it is; then, some grandfather will tell them of the great battle of Chickamauga. But to return to Camp McAfee. For awhile at first, the boys were obliged, in a measure, to furnish their own supplies. Every day, some one of each mess had to go six miles to mill and try his hand for flour, sometimes being extremely lucky, but more frequently, to return without a mite. Those were, with propriety, called our "milling days." Thus our time dragged heavily on."
Kinnear continued, "On the evening of the 27th of January, our division received orders to march the next morning at daylight, with three days rations in their haversacks. Accordingly, on the morning of the 28th, it led out in the direction of Ringgold, still under the command of General Jeff. C. Davis. General Batie's brigade followed Morgan's, and Colonel McCook's brought up the rear. The evening of the same day the command camped at Ringgold, a distance of twelve miles. Here it remained until ten A. M the next day, waiting the result of a reconnoissance which was being made in the direction of Tunnel Hill, when it returned to McAfee. The enemy was found in force at that place, and his strength tolerably well ascertained, which was the real object of the expedition. This reconnoissance resulted in the capture of forty prisoners, besides five killed and seventeen wounded."
Privates Julius Bridegroom and Benjamin F. Smith most likely joined the 86th and Co. E here at McAfee's Church. The 86th remained there in the McAfee's Church area until the middle of February, when they moved out during the opening movements of what would become known as the "Atlanta Campaign."
The opening movements of what became known as "The Atlanta Campaign, began in mid February of 1864. During the next 4 months, the men of the 86th and McCook's Brigade were witness to and participants in several battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Resaca, Georgia and Rome, Georgia. By the middle of June of 1864, General Sherman's army, of which McCook's Brigade was a part, were closing in on the big prize, Atlanta, Georgia.
On the morning of June 27, 1864, the men of McCook's Brigade found themselves laying in the trenches across from Cheatham Hill on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. The five Union Regiments of McCook's Brigade were formed up in line of battle, one regiment stacked behind the other, the 86th Illinois third in line. It was hoped that this formation would allow the Union Brigade to punch a hole in the Confederate line, each regiment giving some protection to the regiment in back of it. When the signal gun fired, the men of the brigade stepped off and moved down a hill, crossed a small stream and then moved through a wheat field before beginning the climb up Cheatham Hill and the Confederate breastworks toward an angle in the Confederate line that was soon to be called "The Dead Angle." The following assault, which proved to be only partially successful, lasted less than 30 minutes. On the evening of June 27, 1864, Sgt. Levi A. Ross, a member of Co. K, wrote the following of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. "Our forces rushed upon the rebels five lines deep and in fifteen minutes were hurled back, by them, leaving 2500 brave Union Soldiers dead within twenty feet of the Enemy's works. The loss in the 86th was 106 -- in our Brig. over 400."
During this 30 minute assault, 6 members of Co. E were wounded, three of them severely. One of the men known to have been wounded was Private Julius Bridegroom. Private Julius Bridegroom was first sent to the rear where he was treated in a field hospital. His wounds were so severe that he was then sent back north, probably first to Chattanooga, Tennessee and then on north to a big army hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. It is believed that Private Bridegroom's wounds were so severe, that it took a long time to heal and he was never to join his regiment again.
On Cheatham Hill, when the men of McCook's were forced to withdraw from the Confederate breastworks, they were forced to withdraw under fire. They were forced to leave all of their death and many of their wounded as the retreated away from the breastworks. Julius Bridegroom is believed, at this time, to not have been among the wounded left behind. His wounds are now known to have been serious upper body wounds and he may have been able, with assistance to walk a short distance to the lines. However, the union officers decided they did want to retreat all the way across the open ground if they didn't have to. As the union officers had made the assault, they noticed that the Confederates had built their breastworks not on the true crest of the hill, they had built it about 30 yards back from the crest. When the Union soldiers came up the hill, there was a small area below this crest, where if they stayed low, the Confederates couldn't get clean shots at them and so the decision was made to fall back to this crest and try to dig in and create some simple breastworks of their own. So, the men fell back 30 yards to this 2nd crest and as half tried to shoot to keep the Confederates heads down, the other half dug with whatever they had, cups, plates, knives, their bare hands. In a short time, they had some primitive breastworks that gave them some more protection. They hadn't been able to take the Confederate works but, they gave them hell and they were dug in and had come to stay.
Sniping became the order of the day, both sides shooting at each other, creating a 30 yard no man's land where no one dared go or even stand. The day was hot, many wounded Union soldiers lay among the dead and the dying, but even if they were able to , they dared not stand up for fear of being shot by one side or the other. Certainly, some men died that day, bleeding to death out there among the dead, that could have been saved if someone could have got to them. One of those wounded left was left behind in the melee was Pvt. Andrew Keller, of Co. K.
In 1904, Sergeant John McGinnis, of Co. K (who was an Acting Lt. that day) was being interviewed by a reporter from a Kansas newspaper. They got talking about Kennesaw Mountain and the horrible situation the Union soldiers found themselves in that day. Part of this interview appeared in the July 8, 1904 edition of THE OLSBURG GAZETTE newspaper, of Olsburg, Kansas. Here is part of what John McGinnis remembered about that terrible day. "Our wounded, however lay between the lines, in danger of being shot by both sides. Just as I realized this Coburn (this is Sergeant Elijah Coburn, also of Co. K) called to me. 'John! Andy Keller is out there and he is calling to you!' Leaving my gun, I crept out to Keller and lay down beside him. He said he was badly hurt, and as he could not move, he feared mortally. He asked me not to let him fall into the hands of the rebels, and to be sure and write his mother that he fell at the front, doing his duty. I called Coburn and his brother, Billy, and they crawled out to us. We three, hugging the ground all of the time, placed a blanket on the ground, rolled the helpless Keller on it, and then, the two Coburns taking him by the feet and I holding the blanket about his head, we dragged him down to the company. Stretcher bearers carried Keller to the rear (which had to done under some fire) and he died in the hospital and is buried in the Chattanooga cemetery."
Then McGinnis got to talking about Julius Bridegroom. In the interview, seen below, McGinnis states that Bridegroom "had been with is only two days." It is known that sometimes, when it was known in advance that a fight was coming. Companies would be balanced out by a man or two from one company to another, temporary transfers. It is now believed that Private Bridegroom, may have been "loaned" to Co. K to balance out the size of the companies.. Whatever the case, McGinnis stated, "Julius Bridegroom, a recruit who had been with us only two days caught three bullets that day, one through the shoulder and two through the arms. He recovered and is now president of a bank in Boston, Kansas. As he went back that day I thought he wouldn't live an hour, and here he is forty years later, with children and grandchildren."
It is not known at this time, when Private Julius Bridegroom was actually discharged from the service, but it may very well have been after the war came to a close from one of those army hospitals in Nashville, Tennessee. A biography of Julius Bridegroom's that was published long after the war stated, "He carries the scars of four gunshot wounds as proof that he bore himself as a true soldier should." It is believed that he was back home in central Illinois by the end of the year 1865.
After the war, Julius Bridegroom and Henry H. Nurse, another member of the 86th Illinois, both attended the Illinois Soldiers College, which was established March 30th, 1866 in Fulton, Illinois, in Whiteside County. The school was a place where disabled veterans and their children, as well as orphans of Union soldiers, could receive an education.
At the time of the 1870 census, Julius is found living in Limestone Township of Peoria County, Illinois where he is living and working for the Borland family as a farm hand;
James Borland M 34 Scotland
Louisa Borland F 30 Ohio
Nora Borland F 4 Illinois
Julius Bridgroom M 25 Illinois

Julius Bridegroom was married to Corilla R. Carter on October 6, 1872 in Peoria County, Illinois. Corilla was said in the biography below to have been from Ohio. However, she may very well have actually been from Kentucky. She may be the daughter of William A. C. Carter and his first wife, Sarah (___________) Carter. At the time of the 1850 census, the Carters are found in Daviess county, Kentucky;
Will A C Carter M 32 Kentucky
Sarah Carter F 33 Kentucky
Alfred J Carter M 13 Kentucky
John H Carter M 10 Kentucky
Mary M Carter F 8 Kentucky
Emma C Carter F 6 Kentucky
George W Carter M 4 Kentucky
Sarah Carter F 2 Kentucky
Corella C Carter F 0 Kentucky

At the time of the 1860 census, the Carters are found in District No. 1, Owensboro, Daviess County, Kentucky;
W A C Carter M 42 Kentucky
Sarah Carter F 43 Kentucky
Jno H Carter M 20 Kentucky
Emma C Carter F 26 Kentucky
Geo W Carter M 14 Kentucky
Sarah C Carter F 12 Kentucky
Carlila C Carter F 10 Kentucky
Rhemus E Carter M 8 Kentucky
D M Carter F 4 Kentucky
Wm M Carter M 1 Kentucky
B R Kelley M 18 Kentucky
Jno H Nelson M 21 Kentucky

In the 1860's, Sarah (_________) Carter is believed to have died. William A. C. Carter was married to Cyrene/Surrena Whitler in April 5, 1866 in Ohio County, Kentucky. Cyrene was born c. 1826 and died c. 1882.
William and Cyrene brought the Carter family north to Illinois in the late 1860's. At the time of the 1870 census, William C Carter and his family are found in Salem Township, Edwards County, Illinois;
William C Carter M 50 Kentucky
Cyrene Carter F 48 Kentucky
Currilla Carter F 20 Kentucky
Remus Carter M 18 Kentucky
N Kirkpatrick M 8 Illinois

Two children were born to Julius Bridegroom and Corialla (Carter) Bridegroom. They were;
1. Frederick Warren Bridegroom, born January 25, 1874 in or near Princeville, Peoria County, Illinois. Fred was married to Sarah Regina "Sadie" ____________ c. 1897/98 in Kansas.
The children born to Fred and Sadie include;
A. Lester Bridegroom, born c. 1899/1900 in Kansas. Lester is found with the family in the 1900 census, but, can not be found after this. He may have died in the early 1900's.

B. Howard D. Bridegroom, born c. 1900/01 in Kansas. At the time of the 1940 census, Howard Bridegroom is working as a Salesman in the Real Estate business and is residing on East Sierra Madre in Tract 450, Glendora, Monrovia Judicial Township, Los Angeles County, California. His parents live with him and it appears he is still single. In 1935 they all resided in Rural, Phillips County, Kansas;
Howard Bridegroom Head M 40 Kansas
Fred Bridegroom Father M 66 Illinois
Sarah Bridegroom Mother F 65 Pennsylvania

At the time of the 1900 census, Fred and his family are found just a few doors down from his parents in Center Township Norton city, Norton County, Kansas;
Fred Bridgroom Head M 26 Illinois
Sadie Bridgroom Wife F 24 Pennsylvania
Lester Bridgroom Son M 0 Kansas
Ada Clark Servant F 17 Colorado

On September 17, 1908, the Henry Republican newspaper contained the following notice;
"H. H. Nurse went through here Monday evening on his way to Fulton in company with Julius Bridegroom to visit the scenes of their school days when they attended the old Illinois Soldiers College after the close of the war. The institution was constructed by the state to give the boys a chance for education who had spent the years in the army which should naturally have been spent in school."

At the time of the 1910 census, Fred is found in Phillipsburg, Phillips County, Kansas. In 1925 he is in rural Phillips County, Kansas. At the time of the 1930 census, Fred is found in Phillipsburg, Phillips County, Kansas. In 1935, Fred is still found in rural Phillips County, Kansas. Fred was in the Hardware business in Kansas for some time.
At the time of the 1940 census, Fred is found in Monrovia, Los Angeles County, California. Frederick Warren Bridegroom died on August 23, 1945 in Los Angeles County, California and his mortal remains were laid in the Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, Los Angeles County, California. See his Find A Grave Memorial #151568312.

2. Nellie Grace "Nell" Bridegroom, born c. March 30, 1878 in Kansas. Nellie was married to William Rhoades (1871 - 1966) c. 1898/99. At the time of the 1900 census, Nell and William are found residing next to her parents in Center Township Norton city, Norton County, Kansas;
William Rhoades Head M 29 Iowa
Nellie Rhoades Wife F Mar 1878 22 Kansas

Sometime before 1910, the Rhoades' moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, where the were trying to make a living operating an orchard (Palisade Tribune Vol., 17, No. 31, Dec. 19, 1919). R.H. Rhoades and William A. Rhoades purchased ten acres of orchard (apples and peaches) in 1907 (Palisade Tribune, Vol., 5, No., 15, Sept. 7, 107). William A Rhoades subsequently purchased another orchard in 1909 (Palisade Tribune, Vol., 6 No., 51, May 22, 1909). At the time of the 1910 census, Nell and William are found residing in Palisade Township, Mesa County, Colorado.
In the 1910's, the Rhoades moved on the California, where they settled in Pasadena, California area. There they operated a Lemon orchard for some years. At the time of the 1920 census, Nell and William are found in Pasadena Township, Los Angeles County, California;
William A Rhoades Head M 47 Iowa
Nell B Rhoades Wife F 40 Kansas

At the time of the 1940 census, William and Nell are found residing on Manzanita Avenue in Tract 443, Sierra Madre, Monrovia Judicial Township, Los Angeles County, California, where William is a Rancher;
William A Rhoades Head M 69 Iowa
Nell B Rhoades Wife F 62 Kansas

No children are believed to have been born to Nell and William. Nell died on September 15, 1952 in Los Angeles, California and her mortal remains were laid in the Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, Los Angeles County, California. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 151660674.

Now to continue with what we know about Julius and Corilla.
In 1875, Julius and Corrilla moved their family west to Kansas. At the time of the 1880 census, Julius and his family are found in Columbus, Cherokee County, Kansas, where he is listed as a Teacher;
Julius Bridegroom Self M 33 Germany
Corrilla Bridegroom Wife F 28 Ohio
Fred W Bridegroom Son M 6 Illinois
Nellie Grace Bridegroom Daughter F 2 Kansas

In Cutler's HISTORY OF THE STATE OF KANSAS, published in 1883, the Crawford County, Kansas chapter contains the following biography. "JULIUS BRIDEGROOM, of the firm of Bridegroom & Gambill, millers, was born in Germany in 1846. His father was one of the German patriots of 1848, who, like Carl Schurz, Hecker and a host of others, since prominent as lovers of freedom in America, were forced to flee to the United States for refuge from the powers of kingcraft in their native land. The subject of this sketch came to America with his parents in infancy. His childhood was passed on a farm in Illinois, where he received such education as the common schools afforded. He was a resident of that State during the war of the rebellion, and entered the service in 1864 and remained until the close of the war. He carries the scars of four gunshot wounds as proof that he bore himself as a true soldier should. At the close of the war he returned to Illinois and entered the Illinois Soldiers' College, Fulton, Ill., from which he graduated in 1872. He was subsequently in the grain business for a short time, and taught school for five years, three years of which time he was Principal of the public schools at Princeville. He came to Kansas in 1875 and located in Cherokee County, on a farm of 200 acres, where he remained two years teaching mean while[sic] during the winter months. In the fall of 1880, he purchased a half interest in the Monmouth Mills, with which his business connection still continues, the mill doing a large custom and merchant business. He is now a resident of Monmouth, where he owns a fine residence and ten acres of land in connection with his mill. He is also the owner of a fine farm of 200 acres. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and of the G. A. R., being now Commander of his Post. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Church. He was married in 1872, to Miss Corilla Carter, of Ohio. They have two children--Freddie W. and Nellie Grace.

At the time of the 1885, Julius Bridegroom and his family are found briefly in Poe, Ringgold County, Iowa. In 1887, the surviving members of the 86th Illinois organized a reunion, which was held in Peoria, Illinois on August 27, 1887, the 25th Anniversary of the mustering in of the 86th Illinois. Julius Bridegoom was not able to attend that first reunion. However, over 130 surviving members of the regiment were able to attend and it was such a success that it was decided to continue these reunions for as long as possible. They were held in Peoria every year on or as close to that August 27th anniversary as was possible. Coming from Kansas, and later Colorado and then California was not easy in those days and it turned out that the only reunion which Private Julius Bridegroom was ever able to attend was the 1908 reunion, when Julius was able to meet with 8 other members of Co. E, almost certainly none of whom he had seen since he left Illinois.

In 1888, Julius Bridegroom was Quartermaster for G.A.R. Post # 209 in Norton County, Kansas. At the time of the 1895 Kansas State Census, Julius and his family are found in Center Township, Norton County, Kansas;
J Budegroom M 48 Germany
Corrilia Budegroom F 43 Ohio
Fred Budegroom M 21 Illinois
Nelly Budegroom F 16 Kansas

In the 1890's, while he was in Kansas, a soldier's wife, Caroline Boston, and her daughters fashioned a quilt for the G. A. R. with the names of local G.A.R. member on it. Caroline was the wife of James B. Boston, who had fought in the Civil War as a member of Company F of the 53rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In March of 2019 I received the following email for Richard L. Boston, a great great grandson of the Bostons. "For the past 3.5 years I have been researching 320 Union veterans whose names and military units appear on a Civil War quilt made by my Great - Great - Grandmother, Caroline Boston. Her husband served in the Illinois Infantry and was wounded during the battle of Big Hatchie. He was shot through the gut and sent via hospital ship to Benton Barracks, St, Louis MO. He remained in the hospital until discharged in the spring of 1864 (unfit to return to duty or to the Veterans Reserve Corps). Caroline left four small children in Illinois and went to St. Louis where she was trained and then served as a Civil War Nurse at Benton Barracks General Hospital. After the war Caroline was a member of the WRC and James was a member of the GAR. Sometime around 1890, Caroline and two of her daughters made a civil War quilt and embroidered the names and military units of 318 soldiers. Caroline and James are the other names on the quilt. One of the names on the quilt is that of Julius Bridegroom, CO. E, 86th Illinois Infantry." A photograph of the square with Julius Bridegroom's name can be seen on this site. Private Jeremiah Patch, of Co. B. of the 86th Illinois is also given a square on this quilt. At the time of the 1900 census, the Bridegrooms are found in Center, Norton County, Kansas.
Sometime in the early 1900's the Bridegrooms moved to Grand Junction, Colorado in Mesa County, where one of their children, Nell B. (Bridegroom) Rhoades, and her husband had moved earlier and were trying to make a living operating an orchard (Palisade Tribune Vol., 17, No. 31, Dec. 19, 1919). R.H. Rhoades and William A. Rhoades purchased ten acres of orchard, apples and peaches, in 1907 (Palisade Tribune, Vol., 5, No., 15, Sept. 7, 107). William A Rhoades subsequently purchased another orchard in 1909 (Palisade Tribune, Vol., 6 No., 51, May 22, 1909). While the lived in Grand Junction, Julius and Corrilla rented a home located at 340 Chepita Avenue, pictured on this site, and owned a small acreage just outside town, near what is Clifton Colorado. At the time of the 1910 census, the Bridegrooms are found in Grand Junction Ward 2, Mesa County, Colorado. Julius was a member of the local GAR during their time in Grand Junction, Colorado.
In the 1910's, Mr. & Mrs. Bridegroom moved on to California, where they took up residence at what is identified as 1299 N. Los Robles Avenue in Pasadena, Calfornia. The Rhoades also moved to Pasadena during this time and and had a lemon orchard there. It is not known who made the first move to California.
The PASADENA STAR newspaper reported that on June 27, 1914, the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, in which so many men lost their lives, "Mr. and Mrs. Julius Bridegroom entertained today at their charming home, at 1299 North Los Robles Avenue, with a handsomely appointed luncheon of singular interest. With covers for twelve guests there were six places for Civil War comrades who were members of the Eighty-sixth Illinois regiment, and were together fifty years ago to-day in one of the noted battles of the war, that of Kennesaw Mountain, Ga. -- the battle fought June 27, 1864, and of which there are few survivors in the part of the country. The comrades meeting on this interesting occasion are Captain L. A. Ross, of Los Angeles; A. W. Stewart, of Los Angeles; Adam Crawford, of Pomona; George W. Hall, of Baldwin Park; S. W. Rilea, of Pasadena, and the host. Comrades Bickford and Lewis were expected, but found it impossible to be present."
The article continued, "Each of the veterans present contributed his share toward the program of speaking that followed the luncheon." In his part of the speaking, one of the statements that Julius Bridegroom said was, "We, a few survivors of one of the gallant regiments that participated in this charge, are met here to commemorate this well remembered event; to think, and talk a little while with each other about the heroic deeds that were performed on that day by our comrades, living and dead, to clasp hands once more in friendly greetings, and look into each other's faces and note what changes time has wrought in us, since we were mustered out." A photocopy of a photograph that was published in the PASADENA STAR that was taken during this luncheon is shown on this site.
Through the years, Julius Bridegroom continued to stay in contact with the surviving members of the 86th back in Central Illinois. The last mailing address that they had for Private Bridegroom was for his home located at 1299 N. Los Robles in Pasadena, California. Julius Bridegroom died on December 8, 1919 in Los Angeles County, California and his mortal remains were laid in the Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, Los Angeles County, California.
At the time of the 1920 census, Corella is found widowed and living in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California;
Correlia Bridegroom Head F 67 Ohio
Fred Bridegroom Son M 45 Illinois
Sarah Bridegroom Daughter-in-law F 42 Pennsylvania
Howard D Bridegroom Grandson M 19 Kansas

by Baxter B. Fite III and Richard Boston, an Anthropologist/Archaeologist, whose telephone number and email address are 970-443-0438 and [email protected]

(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Bridegroom family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Julius Bridegroom and the Bridegroom family. Baxter would also like to see copies of other photographs of Julius Bridegroom, which have survived the years, especially any showing him in uniform from his days in the service, added to his Find A Grave Memorial for all with an interest to see.)