Joseph H. Eldridge

ELDRIDGE, FOOTE

Posted By: Carol Bawden (email)
Date: 8/8/2007 at 13:08:06

Joseph H. Eldridge (John M3, Josiah2, William1) was born 1834 in Gloucester County, NJ, son of John Mullen and Mary Ann Adams Eldridge.
He moved to Davenport as a 5-year-old with his family and attended public schools. The family home was at 120 W. 6th St. They were members of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.
He married Ellen E. "Nelly" Foote, 11 February 1858 in Davenport. She was born 2 February 1839 in Upcern, Dorset County, England, and came with her family to Davenport in 1854.
They farmed on Jersey Ridge Road near his father.
In 1867, Joseph and his brothers Theodore Fortiner and the youngest, Bowman Henry, formed a "bakery, confectionery, restaurant, ice cream soda and oyster saloon" at the corner of 3rd & Perry Sts in Davenport. They successfully operated tis store until father John died in 1892. The partnership dissolved and Joseph began the Joe Eldridge & Son [Harry] Livery Company which Joseph operated until his death in 1907. [The automobile made it's first apearance in 1892].
Both Joseph and Nellie died in Davenport; he on 26 Septembewr 1907, Ellen on 9 May 1920. They are buried in Davenport's Oakdale Memorial Gardens Sec 12 Lot 34.