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Category: FAMILY STORIES AND DOCUMENTS
ELDRIDGE: Duncan CAMPBELL's Last Will and Testament, Scott County, Iowa - 11 Feb 1881
Scott County, Iowa Circuit Court #2030 - Probate
Now all men by these presents [presence?]: That I Duncan C. ELDRIDGE of the City of Davenport in the County of Scott and State of Iowa, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, and being desirous of settling my worldly affairs while I have strength and capacity so to do, have made published and declared. And now here do make publish and declare as and for my last Will and TEstament (hereby revoking all former wills by me made) in manner and form following that is to say -
I. It is my will that as soon as practicable after my death all my just debts if any there should be shall be paid in the manner provided by law.
II. All my property real personal or mixed, and of whatwoever kind or nature which I shall own and be in possession of as entitled to at teh time of my death, and which shall not be needed for the payment of my debts as aforesaid. I give and bequeath and devise onto my beloved wife Rebecca E. [Elizabeth LIPPINCOTT] ELDRIDGE, to have and to hold the same absolutely and forever, and free from any restriction, except as to the remainder after teh death of my said wife Rebecca E. ELDRIDGE, should there be any of my said property or the proceeds thereof left that any and all such remainder and remainders I give and bequeath as follows: The undivided one-half thereof. I give and bequeath and devise to my son Micajah LIPPINCOTT ELDRIDGE to have and to hold the same forever. The other undivided one-half thereof I give and bequeath and devise to my four grand children to wit: Mary Rebecca (sometimes called Birdie) ELDRIDGE, Anna ELDRIDGE and Rea ELDRIDGE, children of my son Charles Henry ELDRIDGE, and Lewis M. ASHER [son of dtr Sarah], my said grand children to share and share alike of the undivided one-half bequeathed to them to have and to hold the same forever.
III And I hereby appoint my said wife sole Executrix of this my last will and testament and I direct that she shall not be requried to give bonds for the faithful performance of her duties as such.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and have published and declared these presents as and for my last will and testament in presence of the witnesses whose names are subscribed hereto attesting such my acts and deeds, so done in the City of Davenport, Scott County, Iowa this eleventh day of February A.D. 1881. Signed - D. C. ELDRIDGE.
...in witness thereof we have at the request of said testator and in his presence or names as witnesses of such his acts and deeds. Signed C.H. KENT, Davenport, Iowa; M. D. SNYDER, Davenport, Iowa.
ELDRIDGE: Duncan CAMPBELL obituary and list of Firsts in the Davenport Iowa Democrat newspaper 3 Oct 1882
A Landmark Fallen
Death of Duncan C. ELDRIDGE
The Oldest Remaining Male Settler of the City of Davenport - The First Miller, One of the First Merchants and the Builder of the First Brick House, The Postmaster for Thirteen Years. An Industrious Life - The Patriarch's Career - The Funeral
A landmark has fallen! The venerable Duncan CAMPBELL ELDRIDGE, who was teh only man of the old settlers who became residents of Davenport in 1835 who was still remaining among us, is dead. He fell asleep at 11-1/2 o'clock this forenoon. The fatal ailment was paralysis. On Saturday September 23d, while in the Christian chapel attending to his duties as member of committee on repairs, the stroke came, and prostrated him - his whole right side being paralyzed while the left side seemed strong as ever. He lost his power of speech at the same time. He was borne to his home, 214 west Fifth street, and it was soon discovered that he must now journey rapidly toward the dark river. As old asthmatic trouble asserted itself, and aided in theweakening process. He could take little or no nourishment, and so he lay awaiting death with calm resignation. Old settlers would call upon him, and he would give them a warm clasp of the hand, the tears would well up into his eyes, he must part from his old friends - but he was ready. He isgone - one of the spirited citizen, teh philanthropic and charitable neighbor and friend, the kindly, tender-hearted old man, gone to his reward. His widow is the only remaining person of the group of people who settled here immediately after the town was laid out in 1835. There are those still living - may they abide with us many years - who settled some distance outside the limits of the town, but not another person beside Mr. ELDRIDGE who were the first settlers in the original village is living here.
MR. ELDRIDGE'S CAREER WAS PARTICULARLY INTERESTING
Duncan CAMPBELL ELDRIDGE was born, son of Josiah [and Sarah MIDDLETON] ELDRIDGE in Haddonfield, New Jersey, six miles from Philadelphia, on the 3d day of August, 1801. His parents were Quakers of the strictest sort. He received a good common school education and learned the trade of brick-layer and plasterer. He worked at his trade in his native town and in Philadelphia til the summer of 1824 when he went to Rocheswter, NY and stayed there, in that then growing place, til 1828, when losing his first wife [Rachel BROWN], he returned to Philadelphia - but moved that very year to Cincinnati. He worked at his trade there - and there he met Miss Rebecca LIPPINCOTT, whom he had known in his youth, back in Haddonfield - an own cousin of the great Philadelphia publishers - and the twain became one flesh in a few months after renewing their acquaintance. In Cincinnati Mr. Eldridge met Antoine LeCLAIRE and "Col." [honorary not military] George DAVENPORT, who described to him the beauty of the country opposite Fort Armstrong [on Rock Island Arsenal Island] and the village of Stephenson,[Rock Island] Illinois. [Davenport, Iowa was still part of the Michigan Territory]. LeCLAIRE and DAVENPORT met Duncan ELDRIDGE in Cincinnati on a supply trip and told him a town had been laid out there in the Spring to be called Davenport, and thought it would be a good thing for ELDRIDGE to move out there. He took their advice. He and Mrs. Eldridge [and 5 yo son Charles Henry b 26 Jul 1830 in Cincinnati] left Cincinnati early in September 1835. [see 'float boat' story in Micajah Lippincott ELDRIDGE blog].
The only dwelling house on this side of the river was one occupied by Antoine LECLAIRE, the ferryman, the site of which was near where the present freight depot of the C.R.I. & P. railroad stands. Mr. ELDRIDGE brought enough lumber from Cincinnati to erect a shanty as he called it, and in that shanty they passed the winter, their neighbors being the LECLAIRES and two or three families who landed soon after the ELDRIDGES did. In that shanty the first girl baby born in Davenport saw the light [Sarah Elizabeth ELDRIDGE b. 3 May 1837. First white male child - no name - was son of Levi S. COLTON, born Autumn of 1836, died in Indian village - mother was Native American]. Sarah is deceased six years since.
The next year Mr. E. went to Cincinnati andpurchased a stock of goods for a general store, which he opened in a frame building on the northeast corner of Ripley and Front [River Drive] Streets which that winter became known as "brimstone corner', because revival meetings were held in the second story of it, the Methodist preacher who officiated preaching the lake of fire all the time.
THE VILLAGE WAS INCORPORATED
In 1839 and Mr. ELDRIDGE was elected a member of the first board of trustees, with A. C. DONALDS
ON, John FORREST, Jonathan W. PARKER, John LETCH, and John OWENS. Rodolphus BENNETT was mayor, Frazer WILSON recorder, James M. BOWLING treasurer, George COLT marshal. In 1847 Mr. ELDRIDGE served as alderman of the Second Ward.
THE FIRST SERMON
Ever delivered in the town was preached in Mr. ELDRIDGE's house by the Rev. Mr. (nfn) GAVITT [also GAVET].
POSTMASTER
Antoine LeCLAIRE was the first postmaster but he turned over teh dities of theposition to Mr. E. who fulfilled them as deputy for a year and a half, when he was appointed postmaster, and thus his establishment was post office as well as general store. In a year he became postmaster, Mr. E sold his stock of goods and devoted his attention to post office business with matters of insurance and other doings he could attend to as well as not.
FIRST BRICK HOUSE
Mr. ELDRIDGE built it on the northeast corner of 3rd & Main [still existed at the obit date - not anymore]. Harvey LEONARD made teh brick and laid them for him. The quarters becoming too small as residence and post office. In fact since his residence, Mr. ELDRIDGE has built thirty-four houses [see Micajah Lippincott ELDRIDGE blog for partial list]. Thirty-five counting the spacious golden dining hall which was improvised for the celebradion of his golden wedding on the west side of the home. He remained Postmaster for thirteen years. He was a Whig - and after Franklin Pierce was inaugurated, Mr. A. F. MAST, Democrat, was appointed Duncan's successor.
DEALER IN DRUGS AND MEDICINE
In 1851, Mr. ELDRIDGE bought out the drug stores of Alfred SANDERS and John F. DILLON, andunited them in one store, next door west of what is now Wadsworth's block. He sold this store to Wm. WEBB who moved it to No. 105 W. Second Street - and is E. S. Ballard & Co's drug store now. Since his sale of drug stock Mr. E. has confined his business to insurance mostly, several years for himself and for the last twelve years with Mr. D. M. HARTWELL's now - HARTWELL and BEMIS Agency.
THE FIRST FLOURING MILL
Was introduced by Mr. Eldridge. IT was one of "GETTY's Patent Metallic mills". It was something of the style of the feedmills now ysed by farmers, and it's motive power was a strong horse.
OLDEST ODDFELLOW
Duncan was the oldest west of the Alleghanies. He was initiated a member of Kensington Lodge, in Philadelphia in May 1828, more than fifty-four years ago, and has been an affiliated member of the Order ever since, occupying the highest chairs in the subordinate lodges to which he has belonged. He belonged to Davenport Lodge, No. 7.
GOLDEN WEDDING
It was on the fourth day of November 1879 that Mr. and Mrs. ELDRIDGE celebrated their anniversary in their home on Fifth Street. The festivities were attended by a great number of people and the turnout of old settlers was so large as to be a compliment in itself.
THE PIONEER SETTLERS ASSOCIATION
Mr. Eldridge was one of the most active and influential supporters. He called the meeting held in LECLAIRE Hall in January 1858, for the purpose of organizing the association. He was, with James McINTOSH, Willard BARROWS, John F. DILLON and Edw RICHSER on the committee on organization; he was one of its first vice presidents, he was elected president in January 1861. Messrs. Antoine LeCLAIRE and Evenezer COOK having been his only predecessors in the office. Always he has been at the front in furthering the interests of the organization. The ASsociation will sadly miss him.
HIS FAMILY SURVIVORS
John M. Eldridge [brother] who came to Davenport in 1839; Mrs. Anna RUMBOLD [d-i-l by marriage] who lives near Plankinton, Dakota; William ELDRIDGE the younger brother who lives near Great Egg Harbor, New Jersey. He was like a father and brother us us all - especially to me said Mr. John ELDRIDGE today as his voice choked with emotion.
THE CHILDREN
Mr. ELDRIDGE was the father of eleven children - four by his first wife [only Jacob survived]; and seven by her [Rebecca] who survives him, and has been for fifty-three eyars one of the most faithful of wives and best of mothers. Of these, Jacob M., Charles and Micajah are living, and are residents of Davenport, the number of grandchildren is nearly a score - while there are great grandchildren also. But within two days of the 47th anniversary of his landing in Davenport he passes away. Had he lived until Thursday next he would have seen that anniversary. But the patriarch has left us - passing away while his fellow townsmen cherished feelings of deepest respect for him.
THE FUNERAL takes place next Thursday afternoon, the 47th anniversary of the day of Mr. Eldridge's arrival in Davenport. Mr. Eldridge belong belonged to the Church of the Disciples (the Christian denomination) for more than fifty years, and in the Christian Chapel the services will be held at two o'clock.
ELDRIDGE: Micajah LIPPINCOTT gives a story in 1920 to the Davenport Democrat and Leader newspaper about his father, Duncan CAMPBELL ELDRIDGE
This was an article dated 22 Aug 1920, quoting the youngest child of Duncan CAMPBELL and Rebecca LIPPINCOTT ELDRIDGE: It appears in the appendix of The ELDRIDGE-BAWDEN Families noted in comments.
AN OLD SETTLER OF SCOTT COUNTY BECOMES REMINISCENT
M. L. ELDRIDGE is 75 years old today. He tells of some of the first beginnings in Davenport [Scott County, Iowa]: "I have heard my father tell of living in Cincinati [Ohio], and that in 1835 he built a floatboat with a house cabin on it; he put in a stock of groceries and provisions [along with enough wood to build a shanty] and together with his wife and baby [Charles Henry b 26 Jul 1830 in Cincinnati] journeyed down the Ohio River to the Mississippi thence was towed up the river to Galena, Illinois - not liking it there, he bargained with the steam boat captain to tow him back to St. Louis. The winter was setting in early and very cold, the ice formed so fast that a little later the captain in order to save his boat cut loose from the flat boat in order to fun faster, leaving the ELDRIDGE outfit to its fate, the flat boat floated along with the ice during that day and night. Toward morning the cold was intense. When daylight came the ice had stopped moving and the flat boat and cargo was frozen in the middle of the river opposite the site of Davenport [town of Stephenson, Illinois, now Rock Island].
A little later several settlers came to the river bank and called saying to have ptience and when it was safe they would come out and help to get them ashore. The boat was torn to pieces, the lumber was used toward building a cabin.
When the lumber dried out, large cracks appeard. Mother made paste with flour and pasted old newspapers 9mostly illustrated) over the cracks, the settlers would come in and stand or sit on a box and enjoy the pictures and reading matter--a Bible and a few books that mother had brought along constituted the first library and reading room. Mother baked bread and made dried apple pies for the settlers (no Federal Bakery here then) and father sold groceries and provisions, the first grocery and bakery; it was located on the corner of Front [River Drive now] and Ripley Streets.
Antoine LeCLAIRE was the first postmaster and carried the mail in his pocket. He tired of the job and put father in charge of the mail, so that the cabin became the first post office. In the same cabin was preached the first sermon by E. M. GAVET, a Methodist minister.
In 1837 father put up a small mill to crack corn, a horse was the motive power. "Old Joe" TOPIN, an old discharged soldier was the miller and he rolled out the bread stuff by the quart. This was the first grist mill.
During the summer of 1838 the first brick house was erected by father, who was a practical brick mason. It was located on the northeast corner of Main and Third Streets, now the Masonic temple. [no longer exists] on a lot bought of Antoine LeCLAIRE. It was in his corn field and a row of corn was purchased and cut out to form a road to haul the brick. A few years later, in 1845, I was born in that first brick house. My recollection of the event is somewhat clouded but I know I was there just the same.
The same year that he [father] built the brick dwelling he was appointed postmaster. Mr. LeCLAIRE having resigned. Then he [father] built a small brick building on the same lot for a post office. This was the first postoffice building in Iowa. Postage was twenty-vife cents, paid by the recipient. No stamps yet. In 1839 the LeCLAIRE house, built of brick, a grand hotel in those days, was erected by Antoine LECLAIRE at a cost of $35,000. It was located on the northeast corner of Main and Second, now teh PUTNAM block. Father did the brickwork. July 4, 1845, "Colonel" Davenport was murdered and robbed in his residence on the island [Rock Island Arsenal on the Mississippi River - still exists]. The same year, 1845, Iowa became a state [Dec 28, 1846]. I was born that same year [22 Aug 1845], just like we were twins but Iowa has outgrown me.
I remember the horse ferry boat, before the steam ferry appeared. It was a flat boat with side paddle wheels; a horse on each side of the boat working on an inclined tread mill to make the 'wheels go round'. The steam ferry commenced 5 May 1852.
September 21, 1854, I saw the first stone -- the corner stone -- laid for the first bridge across the Mississippi. The bridge was about 1600 ft. long from the Iowa shore to the Island [Rock Island Arsenal]. The abutment is still standing on both sides.
INFO from author-compiler Alice Richardson Sloane, C.G.
2. According to several accounts, D. C. ELDRIDGE built or helped to build 34 houses in the town of Davenport. He is supposed to have lived in each of the 34 houses. This may be true but difficult to prove since city directories for the period are oncomplete and house numbers and street names were changed periodically. Listed are excerpts from existing (years listed)Davenport City Directories which list the residences of D. C. ELDRIDGE:
1856 - 4th & Rock Island Street (now Pershing Ave)
1861 - 14 E. 14th St.
1862 - 22 E. 3rd St.
1863 - NW Corner 9th and Farnam Street
1866 - 3rd btw Harrison and Main
1867 - 3 ss 1e College Ave (possibly built by A. C. FULTON, 1863, NE c Front [River Drive] and College Ave. E.D. [was B&B but is now for sale 2012]
1868 - 13th NW corner Perry Street
1873 - 13th NW corner Perry Street
1874 - 304 Rock Island Street (Pershing Avenue)
1876-89 - 214 W. 5th St.
WILLIAMS: Charles CLARK marries Eliza HIGH MILLER in Westfield, Essex, New Jersey and they have 10 children - parents of Mary HIGH WILLIAMS ELDRIDGE
Charles Clark WILLIAMS was born 29 Nov 1797 in Westfield, Union, New Jersey, son of Nathaniel and Anna CLARK WILLIAMS. He married Eliza HIGH MILLER in 1820 in Westfield, New Jersey. She was born ca 1801 in New Jersey, the dtr of Ezra and Mary HIGH MILLER.
From the History of Scott County, Iowa 1882:
"Charles C. Williams came to Iowa in August 1844. He was from Newark, New Jersey. He was an elder of the First Presbyterian Church of that city and afterward in the Central Church for many years. He was a man of most ardent piety, ever ready to lend his aid and influence in promoting the cause of his Redeemer's Kingdom. His connection with the church of Davenport when it most needed spiritual aid and encouragement seemed providential. At this time Mr. Hoge [Hogge?], one of the elders, moved to Galena [Illinois]. So Mr. Williams and James M. DALZELL were ordained and set apart as elders in this church. His first work, with the help of others was to establish a Sunday-school which continued to date, and of which he was superintendent to the time of his death, which occurred in September 1852"
Charles was said to have been a 'sweet singer'. He died of cholera in Davenport, Scott, Iowa 3 Sept 1852; Eliza died 2 May 1878 in Creston, Platte, Nebraska. They are buried in Davenport's Oakdale Cemetery.
1. Jane Henderson born ca 1822 in Westfield, New Jersey married William VANDEVER on 7 Jan 1847 in Davenport. Wm was born 31 Mar 1817 in Baltimore, Howard, Maryland, son of Wm VANDEVER (no mother). In 1839, Wm came to Rock Island, Rock Island, Illinois where he studied law, was a surveyor of public lands and proprietor of the "Northwestern Advertiser' newspaper. In 1851, the family moved to Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa where Wm practiced law and where he was twice elected as a Republican to represent the 2nd District of Iowa in the US Congress. During the Civil War, he commanded the 9th Iowa Infantry and was appointed Major General. General VANDEVER returned to his law practice in Dubuque where he was active in developing several railroad lines through eastern Iowa. The family moved to San Buenaventura, California in 1884; he was twice elected to Congress from that state before he died 23 Jul 1893 in Ventura, California. Jane WILLIAMS VANDEVER, known as Mrs. General VANDEVER died 28 Feb 1908 in their daughter Miss Florence VANDEVER's home in Ventura.
2. Rebecca M. born 1824 (no date) in Westfield, New Jersey; died 10 Sept 1845 in Davenport and is buried in Oakdale Cemetery.
3. Alexander FRASER born 15 Jul 1826 in Westfield; married Frances Mary ROBINSON, 17 Feb 1858 in Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois. She was born 31 Jul 1837 in Albany, Albany, New York, dtr of Jos. and Sarah CROSBY ROBINSON Alexander settled in DAvenport after his marriage where he was in partnership with his brother-in-law Jacob MULLEN ELDRIDGE. He worked in the dry goods business for some yers in New York City but returned to Davenport where he joined with Rienholdt SIEG to found the SIEG Iron Company. He helped promote the Hennepin Canal, was responsible for bringing several railroads through the community and was senior trustee for the Calvary Baptist Church in Davenport.
On 15 Dec 1887 Aleander died in Atlantic, Cass, Iowa and is buried with his family in Oakdale Cemetery. Frances died 17 Feb 1915 in San Diego, California. They had 4 children:
a. Ella Ophelia b 5 Mar 1859 in Davenport married John S. THOMPSON and was living in 1928 in Escondido, North, California.
b. Annie Sarah (Anna W. my reference) born 26 Feb 1862 in Davenport married 14 Oct 1885 Dr. Jennings PRICE CRAWFORD, one of Davenport's most prominent surgeons. (see Find-a-Grave) She died 12 Oct 1928 in her Los Angeles, California home. They are buried in Oakdale Cemetery.
c. Frederick CROSBY born 11 Sept 1870 in Davenport died of tuberculosis on 21 Sept 1894 in Colorado Springs, El Paso, Colorado. He is buried in Oakdale.
d. Joseph ROBINSON born 19 Mar 1876 in Davenport, died 11 Feb 1894 in Davenport of a brain tumor at age 18. Rob was buried in Oakdale.
4. Mary HIGH born 27 Sept 1829 in Newark, Essex, New Jersey married Jacob MULLEN ELDRIDGE, his 2nd wife, in Davenport, Scott, Iowa on 25 Jun 1851...this writer's legacy. See Find-a-Grave and J. M. ELDRIDGE blog.
5. Margaret CLARK born 15 Dec 1831 in Newark, New Jersey, married first Thomas MASON 12 Nov 1856 in Davenport. He died 28 Dec 1862 and is buried in Oakdale Cemetery. Margaret married 2nd, James DOUGHERTY 1 Oct 1877 in Davenport. She died 26 May 1912 in Newton, Jasper, Iowa and is buried in Oakdale with Thos. MASON. The MASON couple had 4 children: a. Sarah (no info) b. James Edgar - b. 14 Feb 1859 in Davenport, d 6 Dec 1892 in Laurel, Marshall, Iowa. buried 8 Dec 1892 in Jasper, Iowa's Hickory Grove Cemetery. Jas' son married Edna HASKINS BAWDEN, c Charles W. and d. Thomas S. (no info)
6. Anna CLARK born 22 Oct 1834 in Newark. married Ezra MILLARD on 6 Feb 1855 in Dubuque, Dubuque Iowa. She died 30 Dec 1902 in Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska. (see Find-a-Grave)
7. William BELDEN born 18 Nov 1840 in Newark, served in the Cavalry during the Civil War and lived in Lincoln, Nebraska, He married Mary E. STEEL in Long Beach, L.A., California. He died 1 Jul 1921 in Long Beach.
8. Frances W. born ca 1849 in Davenport, married W. Nevin McCANDLESS/McCANDLISH and was living in Ohama, Hebraska in 1887.
9. Son dead by 1876
10. Dtr dead by 1876
There is noted in some trees the intervention of Phebe M. ROFF as having maternity. She was b 1811 in Mt. Bethel (state?) m. 1833 (no location). I have circled Mary HIGH WILLIAMS as her dtr. Can anyone straighten this out? I thought at one time Phebe was the wife of Nathaniel Williams before he came to Iowa.
TERRILL: Samuel marries Mary TREMAIN and they have 5 children (2 listed in my reference) - dtr Mary marries Stephen BAWDEN in Redruth, Cornwall
Samuel and Mary TREMAIN TERRILL of Redruth, Cornwall, England married 4 Aug 1805 in Redruth, Cornwall, England, had 5 children. No research has been done on this family other than a TERRILL source for 3 more children.
1. Samuel b/ch Jan 1807 (no date)
2. William b/ch July 1809 (no date)
3. George TREMAIN b/ch Nov 1811 (no date) m. 18 Sept 1838, Elizabeth LUKE, (father Thos LUKE) in St. Mary's, Truro, Cornwall. (Cornwall Online Parish records as George Trewin Ferrill), d 1885 St. Thomas, Devonshire. Had at least 7 children.
4. Mary born/christened 8 Apr 1817, m. 4 Sept 1837 in Redruth Church of England (St. Euny's) Stephen BAWDEN b.6 Apr 1812 in Redruth. They had 8 children and came to the US in 1840. (This writer's heritage)
5. Elizabeth born/christened 13 Apr 1820 in Redruth, married Wm. CLEMO Sept 1846, Redruth, (divorced), Arrived in US with Mary and Stephen and dtr Elizabeth Clemo, born Sept 1847 in Redruth.
Elizabeth and her dtr, only child Elizabeth, were living in the household of Stephen and sister Mary TERRILL BAWDEN (above) in Norristown, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, a mining area, without Mr. CLEMO. Family tradition says "Grandma CLEMO" was divorced and lived with Stephen and Mary in their Rockingham Twp, Scott County, Iowa home until after 1880 when she was a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota with her dtr Elizabeth and grocery wholesaler husband James A. RYAN. After James died 9 Feb 1885 in St. Paul, both Elizabeths returned to Davenport.
Mother Elizabeth returned to Davenport and lived with dtr Elizabeth CLEMO RYAN on 6 Walling Court (now 1700)
Mother Elizabeth died of nervous prostration on 19 Dec 1910, just one week after the death of dtr Elizabeth CLEMO RYAN on 12 Dec 1910. They were members of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.
Elizabeth and James A. RYAN had one child. They married in Davenport 28 Jun 1866. They lived in St. Paul, Minnesota. Son Harry CLEMO RYAN was born 18 Jan 1868 in Davenport. He married in Davenport, Edna BURDICK, dtr of Anthony and Elvira / Maria BURDICK. Edna was born 1 Nov 1872 and died 15 Aug 1969 in Pasadena, LA, California and is buried with her family in Davenport's Oakdale Cemetery. (See Find-a-Grave). Edna and Harry divorced 13 Jan 1910. They had no children. Harry worked for Smith Bros and Burdick, wholesale grocers of Davenport. He died of diabetes in Chicago, Cook, Illinois 6 Jun 1915. Edna married Mr. XXX PROST.
Passenger List for Stephen BAWDEN and Eliza CLEMO from passenger ships and images database.
Eliza CLEMO
Arr 10 Aug 1849
Age 28
Port of Departure: Liverpool, England
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Ship Name: Queen of the West
CLARK: Charles marries Anna YEOMAN - dtr Anna marries Nathaniel WILLIAMS (Mary HIGH WILLIAMS ELDRIDGE maternal g-father)
Charles was born 21 Sept 1753 in Westfield, Union, New Jersey, where he married Anna on 2 Oct 1774.
Anna was born 7 Apr 1756. No parentage or birth location, possibly Westfield.
Charles served as an Ensign in Captain Craig's Company of New Jersey troups during the American Revolution.
In 1793 he became Captain of the New Jersey State Militia.
The following account is found in the History of Scott County, Iowa by H. E. Downer 1910 p. 77.
That he must have held rank as an officer is indicated by the fact he wore a sword, the silver handle of which was afterward melted into 6 tablespoons, two of which were given to each of his 3 grandchildren: Samuel CLARK, Charles Clark WILLIAMS, and Betsy SMITH. This was about 80 years ago and the spoons are still high-prized by the present generation.
Anna CLARK died 23 Aug 1781; Charles died 8 Sept 1821 in Westfield.
This surname is somewhat removed from my tree. I'm posting it to help anyone.
CHRISTMAS MEMORIES: Binc BAWDEN loved to be a showman
George Ray BAWDEN, Jr was born in Davenport, Scott, Iowa to George Ray and Viola DUVALL BAWDEN on 7 Mar 1924 at 161 Forest Road. Ray had the house built before his marriage to Vi and it was out in the boonies then.
He loved to be a showman...Christmas was his best!
One year, he borrowed the neighbor's Radio Flyer and, while we were in bed, dumped 400 silver dollars in the wagon. Not very quietly...these heavy coins hitting the metal wagon!
When he got them from the bank, he also got 4 bank bags, the cloth kind. On Christmas day, the 4 of us children had to count out 100 silver dollars each and put them in the bag. I still have my bank bag.
Binc was the president of a full-service advertising company, BAWDEN Brothers, Inc. He took 400 1-dollar bills and had them made into $100 tablets complete with the cardboard back. We had to run to the convenience store for batteries for toys and we started tearing off $1 bills and the clerk wouldn't sell the batteries because he was sure the money was counterfit.
One Christmas, he gave mom a Honda scooter so she could ride down the hill to the convenience store or grocery store, or to friends for early-morning coffee or 5:00 cocktails. Dad and the 2 boys had the scooter delivered Christmas eve day and put in the garage. They diverted Mom and brought the scooter in the house and put it in the living room by the tree. You can imagine Mom's surprise Christmas morning.
One Christmas, he bought tickets and made reservations for Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, a spot they'd been going to for several years. He had Mom go on a scavenger hunt in the house with very creative clues. He held the plane tickets in his hand when she was directed back to the living room.
The last memory was interesting...must have been the early 60s. He bought Mom a gorgeous watch with a diamond bezell, found a big red glass round ornament, stuffed it with cotton and put the watch in the ornament and hung it on the tree. When we were done opening presents, Dad asked the boys to get a spoon and bring it to Mom. He told her there was one more present hanging on the tree. There was no way she could tell where. He brought her the ornament and told her to break it. Of course Mom didn't want to break this pretty ornament but we got her a towel and put it on her lap. She hit the ornament several times and it wouldn't break. Then we told her to hit it hard. It broke in several pieces and there was the watch.
Christmas day held the "what will Dad do this year" kind of excitement.
Dad's been gone since 1 Mar 1986
ELDRIDGE: Naomi DRUMGOOLE MARTIN - A Happy Conclusion of a Local Romance
Naomi was born 11 Oct 1884 in Davenport, Scott, Iowa, the last child of Bowman Henry and Margaret DRUMGOOLE ELDRIDGE.
In 1903 she eloped with Clinton Oliver Martin to Peoria, Illinois where on 20 Oct 1903 at the home of Bishop Spaulding, they were married. Clinton was born 8 July 1872 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania son of John H. and Rachel POOL MARTIN. The marriage license states that Naomi was 19 years-of-age, while Clinton was 28 years old. [1880 census Clinton was 8 yo. My source said 1876]
This article appeared in the Davenport Democrat newspaper 25 Oct 1903, p 14.
A Happy Conclusion of a Local Romance
A Marriage of Six Months Ago Made Known
Clint MARTIN and Miss Naomi ELDRIDGE Announce Their Wedding in Peoria Last May After a Period of Painful Suspense and Opposition
An interesting romance was made public in this city Saturday, and caused a gentle flutter of interest in the vicinity of a good many friends of the principal figures in the case.
Early in the season friendship that had existed between Clint MARTIN, the left fielder of the Davenport baseball team, and Miss Naomi ELDRIDGE, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bowman H. ELDRIDGE advanced to the more intimate stage of an engagement of marriage, but there it encountered the unyielding opposition of the girl's parents. They objected on the ground that she was too young to assume the responsibilities of her own home, being not yet out of her teens. She declined to surrender her lover, and her parents refused to sanction her marriage, and there the matter hung.
It was in the person of James DRUMGOOLE, uncle of the bride, became interested. His niece confided her troubles to him, and assured him that marry she would; with parental consent of that could be had, without if it could not be got. If the opposition did not cease to bar the way to her happiness, she would elope with her lover and be married regardless.
Mr. DRUMGOOLE saw that it was time for making the best of the situation, so he held a council of the young people and told them that if they were bound to commit matrimony, they should do it in the proper way. He is a traveling man and was about to make a trip into Indiana, and he advised them to run over to Peoria with him on his way to the Hoosier state, and have the ceremony done in the right way. And this was what they did. The ceremony was performed at Peoria, May 4, at the home of the Right Reverend John SPAULDING, bishop of the diocese of Peoria. The officiating clergyman was Rev. Father BURKE. Mr. DRUMGOOLE was the witness and attendant.
After the marriage, the couple returned to this city, the bride to her parents' home, the groom to his quarters as a member of the Davenport ball team. The marriage was kept a secret by them. They were so circuspect in their meetings that no inkling of their new relation was gathered by their relatives and friends, and their good uncle kept his own counsel. Probably time never seemed to drag as it did then, for either of the young people. They both stood the ordeal well until Mrs. ELDRIDGE discovered the truth about two weeks ago.
Coming up behind her daughter one day, about that time, she found Naomi gazing fondly at a ring worn on one of her lily fingers. It was in the place where a wedding ring is worn. The girl equivocated, when an explanation was demanded, to the extent of saying that it was her engagement ring, but when her mother wanted to know why, she wore it as a badge of wifehood, she was unable longer to contain the secret and confessed.
Just what happened then belongs to the private history of the ELDRIDGE family, and is the business of nobody else, but it is the understanding tht the parents received the announcement as a good deal of a shock. For the past two weeks, it is believed the young wife has not been thehappiest of women. But Saturday teh good uncle came on the scene again, having returned from a trip among his trade, and under his arguments and persuasions, a truce was reached. The parents agreed to do the sensible thing and take the young people in, and let the news be given out. Under the new management, Mr. and Mrs. MARTIN will make their home with Mr. and Mrs. ELDRIDGE at 424 W. 5th St. and peace will hover over the scene and the hateful secrecy and separation be at an end.
The groom in this interesting affair is an employee of the Arsenal, where he has been working ever since the ball team disbanded. He is a steady young man and is regarded as worthy of teh confidence of the young lady who has entrusted him with her future. He takes his responsibility with a proper degree of seriousness, and whether he plays ball for Davenport next year or not, he is to be congratulated on his last and best home run of this season."
The marriage did not last, for on 16 Dec 1908 p. 7 of the Davenport Democrat was printed:
"J.P. DRUMGOOLE of this city has just received a communication from a friend in Frankfurt, Pennsylvania, conveying the sad intelligence of the death of Clinton O. MARTIN who is well known in this city. Mr. MARTIN was engaged about five years ago as an outfielder on the Davenport Baseball Club on the Three I League and also played with Rock Island and Decatur and Bloomington. He was married in this city six years ago to Miss Naomi ELDRIDGE, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. H. ELDRIDGE. He is survived by wife and two children.
[1 Margaret Rachel born 3 Mar 1904 in Davenport. She died in childhood.
2 Naomi Catherine born 25 Jun 1905 in Davenport, married Joe D. DEEN, who was employed at the Lunex Co. in Davenport. Naomi died 7 Jan 1974 in Davenport and is buried in Davenport's Mt. Calvary Cemetery.]
On 9 Feb 1912 at St. Anthony's Chapel, Davenport, Naomi ELDRIDGE MARTIN became the second wife of Alfred Vincent MILLER. He was born 20 Aug 1883 in LaPointe City, Black Hawk, Iowa, son of Jacob MILLER, (no mother).
Alfred died 17 May 1963 in Davenport; he had worked as a boilermaker for the Rock Island Railroad fr 36 years before he retired in 1947. He had 1 dtr by his first marriage, Elizabeth MILLER.
Naomi lived with her parents and brother, Nathaniel, before she married Alfred at 424 W. 5th St. and gave piano lessons. In 1963 she retired after working for 26 years for the Physicians and Surgeons Exchange in Davenport. Naomi died 7 Feb 1967 in Davenport andis buried with her husband, Alfred in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. They were members of Sacred Heart Cathedral.
ELDRIDGE: Jacob MULLEN, father of 9, real estate developer, railroad developer, insurance agent, gson Harry BAWDEN repeats stories
The Eldridge-Bawden Families: The Ancestry and Descendants of Duncan Campbell Eldridge and Stephen Bawden, Scott County, Iowa; author-compiler Alice Richardson Sloane, C.G. (dec 2011), commissioned by John Duvall Bawden (dec 1992), Bettendorf, Iowa; Anundsen Pub Co., Decorah, Iowa , 1986, pps 254-255, 290 pps, no copyright, no ISBN, in the personal library of this writer.
Harry BAWDEN's family history:
Jacob was an active member of the First Christian Church and for many years offered a silver dollar to any Sunday school child that had a perfect attendance for one year. On the first Sunday of every year, Jacob would come to Sunday school with a bag of silver dollars which brightened the hearts of many children.
Jacob's first job was a teamster. He loved horses. He purchased his own horses. His last horse was 'Dan'. His real estate office was located at 5th & Brady STreet. Jacob worked hard and long hours and after closing his office he would get in his buggy and Dan would pull him home while he took a nap and woke up when Dan stopped in the barn.
Jacob was a lover of squirrels and would pay us [grandsons and granddaughters] 5? a bushel to pick up the nuts in his yard and store them for winter food for squirrels.
Jennie ELDRIDGE BAWDEN wrote the following about her father:
He later bought a farm on the Jersey Ridge Road where he married Mary WILLIAMS - our mother. And all of our family were born in this lovely home - it was a considerable fruit farm - I remember after we had moved into Davenport, almost every Sunday afternoon in nice weather we would drive out there. Mother, Father and Minnie, George and myself. All quite young children. Always had a nice large carriage - would come home with lovely apples and I suppose other fruit from the old home. Father loved it but he was in the real estate business in Davenport and as we all became school age, we would ride in every day with him to school - at least the older children. When father fought the house on 16th [Kirkwood Blvd] and Farnam I was about 3 or 4 years of age. George even 2 years younger. John DILLON purchased the house net to ours on Farnam. The 3 houses being alike at that time - the three homes in the whole block. We had beautiful grounds with lots of fruit trees - grapes, etc. Father added the bay window, also the large porch - and a large summer kitchen. We all married from that home.
Author-compiler Alice Richardson-Sloane writes in the appendix on p. 255:
Scott County Deed Record Book 37, p. 507, 558, 22 Apr 1868 records the bankruptcy in which Jacob is forced to sell a portion of his Jersey Ridge Road land in order to settle his debts. Apparently moving into town so the children could get to school was not the primary reason for leaving the fruit farm.
ELDRIDGE: Jennie tells family stories about life in Davenport, and some are repeated about her
The Eldridge-Bawden Families: The Ancestry and Descendants of Duncan Campbell Eldridge and Stephen Bawden, Scott County, Iowa; author-compiler Alice Richardson Sloan, C.G. (dec 2011), commissioned by John Duvall Bawden (dec 1992), Bettendorf, Iowa; Anundsen Pub Co., Decorah, Iowa , 1986, 290 pps, no copyright, no ISBN, in the personal library of this writer.
These come from the appendix of the above vinyl-bound family history.
A couple who are native to our town and how have the friendship and esteem of all who know them, were married last evening at the home of the bride's parents. Nettie B. CHENOWETH was the bride's companion at the altar and Mr. Ed IRWIN of Muscatine was the groom's best man. The bride is a young lady of charming graces and elegancies, and the young husband is greatly respected here in his native city and in his practice of law. The Journal (Muscatine newspaper) remarks that Mr. and Mrs. BAWDEN will take up their abode in the Spring residence, 3rd Street hill, which has been handsomely furnished for the reception of the bride. Muscatine society will extend a warm welcome to the estimable young couple. Mr. BAWDEN, during his two-year residence in this city, has won the high personal esteem of all with whom he has come in contact, and has proven himself a business man of fine abilities. The bride is one of Davenport's brightest and loveliest young ladies and will quickly win a place in the hearts of a whole host of friends in Muscatine.
Davenport Democrat 5 Mar 1885 Front page
The Jennie BAWDEN and [sister] Minnie SCHLEGEL families for years celebrated Christmas and the Fourth of July at each others home. Often the BAWDEN boys would throw bisquits at the SCHLEGEL girls. Between courses, [Minnie's dtr] Claire would lead us kids out doors and run around the house to make more room for the food to follow. At Christmas each family had large Christmas trees lighted with candles and we all sang [sic] O Tanabam.
Harry BAWDEN's Family History about the Minnie ELDRIDGE SCHLEGEL family.
I5t's difficult for most Davenporters to imagine Indians wandering through the yards of homes in the vicinity of Kirkwood Blvd and Farnam St.
However, Mrs. Jennie BAWDEN, 29 Edgehill Terrace, doesn't have a difficult time imagining such occurrences. She remembers them! Mrs. BAWDEN who celebrated her 90th birthday this week recalls many equally fascinating experiences in early Davenport.
Daughter of J.M. (Jake) ELDRIDGE, prominent Scott County real estate man for whom the community of Eldridge is named, Mrs. BAWDEN spent her early years inthe family home at Kirkwood and Farnam. One of her earliest recollections is seeing the Indians walk through her yard. A tree onthe property bore the markings of an Indian trail. They stopped to greet members of her family.
I had such black hair, they thought I was a papoose, and they always begged mymother to let them hold me, the sprightly little lady says.
Mother would usually offer them a pie, fresh from the oven, and they'd be on their way, she added.
Jennie married George Washington BAWDEN, then a recent graduate of the Iowa University Law School, in 1885. The couple lived in Muscatine for several years and their first son Albert was born there. Another memorable experience was pushing Albert in his baby buggy across the then 'new' bridge spanning the Mississippi River at Muscatine (Iowa).
The First Presbyterian Church was located in the 600 block on Brady St. in what is now part of the Davenport Public Museum. Construction of the present church in what wasw then considered suburban Davenport (Kirkwood and Iowa) is vivid in the memory of the 90-year-old woman.
When effects of the church were transported to the new building in a procession, the BAWDEN's 14-year-old son, Albert had the distinction of carrying the Bible, his mother reported. [ed note: I read where noted jazz cornetist Bix BEIDERBECKE had the same honor.]
Bicycling and canoeing were 2 popular sports for young married couples in Davenport such as the BAWDENs.
Another vivid recolletion for Mrs. BAWDEN is the advent of the 'horseless carriage' on Davenport streets. It seems one of the first automobile owners was Harry RYAN [George's nephew]. Mrs. BAWDEN recalls embarrassment the day Mr. RYAN was a caller in her home and they looked out the window in time to see her teenage sons, Ray and Harry, and chum, Dana WATERMAN taking a spin down the boulevard in the new limousine.
