10 Facts About Reuben Partridge

Reuben L Partridge was an American pioneer and engineer in Union County, Ohio, known locally as "The Bridge Builder".

Reuben Partridge was born September 10,1823, in Wilmington, New York, to Cyrus and Lucinda Partridge, he was one of four children.

Reuben Partridge's mother moved them to Marysville in Union County, where her son from a previous marriage, Rowland Lee, was an accomplished wagon maker.

Reuben Partridge saw this and worked to design a new truss and brace system to support additional stresses including vehicle traffic.

Reuben Partridge moved back to Marysville in 1896, to a house he designed and built for his wife on West 7th Street.

Reuben Partridge died 4 years later, on July 17,1900, from complications after breaking his leg falling through a bridge he was supervising the removal of in Taylor Township north of Marysville.

Reuben Partridge was an active member of the first militia formed in Union County, a Marysville city council member, township clerk, township trustee, and avid supporter of the local veterans of the Mexican War and Civil War.

Reuben Partridge is buried at the Oakdale Cemetery in Marysville.

Reuben Partridge built four of the six historic wooden covered bridges still standing in Union County today, the Bigelow Bridge, Cullbertson Bridge, Pottersburg Bridge, and Spain Creek Bridge.

The only other bridge of Reuben Partridge's that is still standing outside of Union County is the Bergstresser Covered Bridge near Canal Winchester, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.