Jacob Mullen Eldridge

ELDRIDGE, WOODWARD, WILLIAMS, GLASPELL, SCHLEGEL, BAWDEN

Posted By: Carol Bawden (email)
Date: 10/25/2008 at 16:24:57

His Active Life Ended
J M. Eldridge Passes Quietly Away
Physical Being Gradually Wears Out - Was one of the Early Settlers of the City and Authority on Pioneer Matters - Instrumental in the Upbuilding of Davenport and Iowa.

The man who placed into the mouth of Horace Greeley, the famous words "Go West, young man," is dead. Jacob M. Eldridge of this city was the author of the famous saying, having written it in a letter to the great editor, describing this very locality. The great editor appropriated the words and has since been known as the author.

Jacob M. Eldridge, who passed away Sunday night at 10:40 o'clock at his home in Davenport [1530 Farnam, sw corner Kirkwood Blvd] was one of the pioneer settlers of Davenport and the one who was looked to as the authority on all matters pertaining to the early days of this vicinity. He passed away peacefully, his physical being having gradually worn itself out. For the past week only was he compelled to take to his bed, pain did not cause him to suffer. But he seemed to gradually grow worse and it was realized when he failed to respond to stimulants that the end was not far off.

Mr. Eldridge was a native of Haddonfield,[Camden Co] N.J. where he was born Nov 20, 1824 his parents being D. C. [Duncan Campbell] and Rachel [Brown] Eldridge. At the age of four years he was left motherless and his [Eldridge]grandparents took him to live with them. When Jacob was 12 years old his grandfather died and the boy was left on his own resources. He teamed a while and then went into business for himself. In 1845 he sold out and came to Davenport. His father who had married a second time [Rebecca Lippincott in Cincinnati, OH], being in business here. Christmas eve was the first evening spent in this city by Jacob. It was not long after he came here that he entered land at $1.25 cents an acre and in 1875 he sold this land for $125 per acre. He had proved the wisdome of the words, "young man go west".

It would take a book to tell of all the activities of Mr. Eldridge. During the many years of residence he was in the real estate business or as more often called then a "land agent'. He knew the value of railroads and worked tirelessly to get the Chicago and Rock Island, and the Mississippi and Missouri railroad both now the Rock Island to embrace the city.

To him is due the responsibility of building the Crescent bridge for he was the one who urged Frank Blair to come here and take hold of the enterprise. [see Documents for news article]

As a result of his activities the town of Eldridge now bears his name, as does Eldridge, N.D. both having been laid out by him. He held a great deal of real estate in both places.

Mr. Eldridge was one of the charter members of the Old Settlers association and has held every office in the gift of that organization. He will be greatly missed at the annual meetings of the society. [This writer was elected 5th vp to serve 2008]. The memorial tablet to the pioneers of the county which now occupies a place in the rotunda [moved to Scott County Park] of the court house was a result of the suggestions and also the work on the part of Eldridge.
As a Republican he could trace his party affiliations back to the beginning of that party in Iowa [City]. He was a member of the convention held in Iowa City in 1853 and in 1872 he was a delegate to the "Liberal" Republican gathering that nominated Horace Greeley.
Three times was Mr. Eldridge married. His first wife was Mary L [Louise(a)] Woodward to whom he was married in 1848. Her death took place 18 months later and in June [25] 1851 he married Mary H.[High] Williams. [This marriage produced 9 children]. His marriage with Miss Agnes Smith took place in [28 Sept] 1886. She survives him, as do six children by his second wife. They are: George W. Eldridge of Wynne Ark., Mrs. R. F. Eldridge of Dawson City, Ia., Mrs. S. L. Glaspell of Jamestown, S.D., Mrs. Carl Schlegel, Mrs. George W. Bawden and Frank Eldridge of Davenport.
The funeral announcement has not been made pending word from the absent relatives.