George Washington Bawden

BAWDEN, ELDRIDGE, SCHLEGEL, GRANT, FICKE, LISCHER, NEAL, THUENEN

Posted By: Carol
Date: 4/9/2007 at 15:14:09

The Daily Times, Davenport, IA Friday, March 24, 1905
GEORGE W BAWDEN DIES AFTER BRIEF ILLNESS
Davenport Attorney Passes Away at Excelsior Springs, MO
Prominent in Business Circles
He was President of the Times Company and
vice president of the I & I Interurban
George W. Bawden passed away at Excelsior Springs, MO, yesterday afternoon about 3:00 after an illness of several weeks. Davenport relatives had received word yesterday morning of his serious condition and his sister-in-law Minnie Eldridge and husband Carl Schlegel prepared to leave for his bedside. Before they lad left, however, word was received of his death. They proceeded on their way last night and will return with the sorrowing wife and the body tomorrow morning. The arrangements for the funeral will be then made.
There was a general sorrow expressed throughout the city this morning when the news of his death was made known. His prominence in legal and city affairs had made him widely known and his personality won friends and admirers among all with whom he cam in contact.
Mr. Bawden went to Excelsior Springs about two weeks ago to recuperate his health being poor, it was thought that the changes and the treatment there would benefit him. Among his closest friends, however, there was little hope of his recovery, and although it was not thought that he would die soon, his ultimate death was expected from his recent illness. Diabetes is given as the cause of death.
George W. Bawden, the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Bawden, was born in Norristown, PA. May 9, 1859. He moved to a farm near Davenport arriving in this city September 1, 1860. He was educated in the city schools and received a diploma from the Davenport high school. Shortly after graduating, Mr. Bawden entered the University of Iowa and remained in the institution until he graduated from the law school in 1880.
He then returned to Davenport and entered the law office of the late Judge Grant, where he continued to fit himself for his profession. After studying under Judge Grant for some time, the young man took a position in the law office of C. A. Ficke where he remained for about two years.
Being chosen as attorney for the receiver of the Iowa Mortgage Company, Mr. Bawden removed to Muscatine where he established himself in the practice of law. While in Muscatine, Mr. Bawden became a member of the Knights of Pythias and chancellor commander of one of the lodges in that city.
After living in Muscatine for 11 years, he gave up his practice and returned to Davenport in 1895. Shortly afterwards he formed a partnership with Julius Lischer which continued until Mr. Lecher’s death in 1902. Fred W. Neal was taken into the firm when Mr. Lischer became county attorney but the partnership was dissolved by the death of Mr. Lischer.
In January 1903, the firm of Bawden & Thuenen was formed. City Attorney Henry Thuenen being the junior member.
Mr. Bawden was a Republican in politics and has always taken a lively interest in public affairs. In the spring of 1897, he was elected alderman from the Fifth Ward and a change in the code making another election necessary in 1898 he was again chosen to represent the Fifth Ward in the city council. His term expired in1900 and he refused another nomination. Mr. Bawden was admirably fitted for the office of alderman. He was a thorough business man and no man could influence him to do a thing which he believed was not for the best interests of the people. His services in the council were appreciated by every good citizen in the city.
Since leaving the council, Mr. Bawden has devoted his time exclusively to his law practice and his duties as attorney for the Iowa & Illinois railway. He became the legal representative of the company when it was first organized and during the preliminary arrangements for the building of the read, he was indefatigable in his efforts to make the line a realty. The work of securing the right-of-way together with other matters which required his attention brought Mr. Bawden an immense amount of work but he never faltered through it all, and much of the credit for the successful culmination of the project is due to his energy and determination.
About three years ago, Mr. Bawden became a stockholder in the Times company and was shortly afterwards selected to be its president.
On March 4, 1885, Mr. Bawden was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Eldridge, daughter of the late Jacob Eldridge, of Davenport. Three sons, Albert, Ray and Harry were born to them. He is also survived by three brothers, S.D., Thomas J. and Dr. H. L. Bawden, besides his wife and children. [Stephen Douglas Bawden, Thomas John Bawden and Dr. Henry Lightbourne Bawden].