Eldredge, F. Eugene

WOODWORTH, BRODIE

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/13/2009 at 12:26:51

In the death of F. Eugene Eldredge, Waverly and Bremer county lost one of their best citizens - a man who was loyal at all times to the public welfare and who in his business career manifested the spirit of enterprise that contributes to the general prosperity as well as to individual success.

Mr. Eldredge was born in Hamilton county, New York, October 19, 1852, a son of J.H. Eldredge, who was born in Washington county, New York, October 21, 1810, and a grandson of James D. and Nancy (Woodworth) Eldredge. J.H. Eldredge was a woolen manufacturer, engaging in the business for a number of years, but later turned his attention to farming. On removing westward with his family, he made his way first to Lake county, Illinois, and later came to Bremer county, Iowa. He engaged in general merchandising in Horton and was one of the pioneer business men of the county. He served for several terms as sheriff and was a leading and influential citizen, contributing much to the material growth and development of his section of the state.

F. Eugene Eldredge was one of a family of thirteen children and was twelve years old when his parents removed to the middle west. After about two years spent in Illinois they came to Iowa and here he was reared, his youth being passed like that of other farm boys of the locality and period. He acquired his education in the public achools and in his later youth and early manhood assisted in the development of the home farm.

On the 6th of February, 1879, F. Eugene Eldredge was united in marriage to Miss Margaret J. Brodie. They established their home in Bremer county, but in 1882 removed to Clark county, South Dakota, where Mr. Eldredge carried on general agricultural pursuits for a number of years. In 1888 he returned to Bremer county, where he again carried on farming, giving his attention to the work of the fields until 1892. In that year he removed to Waverly, where he engaged in buying and selling stock and also handled real estate. In 1901 he removed to Virginia, where he engaged in the real-estate business, but in 1906 he returned to Waverly, where he again conducted a real-estate business. He also organized the Eldredge Steel Gate Company for the manufacture of the steel farm gate, which he had invented. He erected a factory forty by one hundred and twenty feet and concentrated his energies upon the upbuilding of the business, which is now one of the important industrial enterprises of the city. The conduct of that business claimed his attention through the remainer of his life, his demise occurring on the 27th of January, 1913. He was the patentee of the Eldredge steel farm gate and gained an enviable reputation as a prominent and successful representative of industrial interests in this county. His life in its various relations was upright and honorable and he enjoyed the merited esteem and respect of all with whom business or social relations brought him in contact. He is survived by his widow, who is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community. In his political views Mr. Eldredge was a stalwart republican and alway kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but never sought nor desired office. He held membership in the Masonic fraternity and in the Congregational church - associations which indicated the nature of his interests and the principle which governed his life. To know him was to respect and honor him, for his many good qualities gained for him the highest regard of all.

Robert J. Eldredge, only child of F. Eugene and Margaret J. (Brodie) Eldredge, was born on the home farm in LeRoy township, Bremer county, on the 13th of October, 1883. He attended the Waverly high school in the acquirement of an education and while living in Virginia pursued a course of study in the Massey Business College. Practically his entire business career has been spent in association with his father. In 1909, however, he embarked in the retail cigar business, but at the end of a year disposed of his interests in that connection and joined his father in the manufacture of gates. The Eldredge steel farm gate is sold to the retail trade and is disposed of through the medium of traveling salesmen, who cover Iowa and adjoining states. A young man of excellent executive ability and sound judgment, Mr. Eldredge is conducting his business in a manner that insures its continued growth and has already won a place among the prosperous and enterprising manufacturers of his native county. The factory now has a daily capacity of fifty gates and is thoroughly equipped for the manufacture of gates and hog racks. It has become one of the important productive industries of this part of the state and is conducted along the most modern and progressive business lines.

In his political views Mr. Eldredge is a stanch republican while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church. He belongs to the Knight of Pythias and is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, being a member of the blue lodge. Energetic, diligent and persevering, he is alway found reliable in all his business connections and stands for the progressive element in citizenship and for trustworthiness in every relation.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914