Bowman Henry Eldridge

ELDRIDGE, DRUMGOOLE, PELEMORGUES, FERGUSON, STEFFEN

Posted By: Carol Bawden (email)
Date: 8/8/2007 at 14:54:46

Bowman Henry ELDRIDGE (John M3, Josiah2, William1) born 30 September 1845 in Davenport, son of John and Mary Ann Adams Eldridge.
He married 9 February 1869, Margaret K. Drumgoole, in St. Anthony's Church by the Very Rev. J. A. M. Pelemorgues.
Margaret was born 18 February 1851 in New York, dtr of Patrick and Mary Ferguson Drumgoole. She moved to Davenport with her parents in 1856 and attended St. Anthony's Parochial School, founded by Fr. Pelemorgues,the first school in Davenport and attended by Catholic and Protestant children.
In 1867, Bowman Eldridge joined his brothers Theodore Fortiner, and Joseph , in the bakery business at 3rd & Perry Sts where the Blackhawk Hotel now stands. For 20 yrs he was connected with his brothers. In 1885, Bowman started his own restaurant at 309 Brady St. At age 50, he left the restaurant business and began to work for Scott County as Constable and as the first "turnkey" at the jail. In later years he worked for August E. Steffen Co. as a custodian.
One of the early "intelligence offices" (employment agencies) was started in Davenport in 1892 due to Margaret's efforts. She worked until her death helping others find employment, and was a prominent member of St. Anthony's Relief Society. Both Bowman and Margaret were members of the Scott County Pioneer Old Settlers Ass'n - Bowman serving as president. The family home was at 434 W. 5th St.
Bowman died 31 July 1924 in Davenport. Margaret died 25 January 1912 in their home of diabetes. She and Bowman and her brother are buried in Davenport's Mt. Calvary Cemetery.