Biography of Rolfe C Eldridge Sr, St Francis County, AR

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Submitted by: Paul V Isbell
        Date: 19 Nov 2008
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
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(PICTURE 1900 CHAMPION BASEBALL TEAM THE CHOCTAWS) The Forrest City Motor
Company has a long history in Forrest City, as successor to the original firm,
the Mallory-Eldridge Livery Stable, partners were Mr. G. B. Mallory and Rolfe
Eldridge Sr., before automobiles came about. and was founded on Oct. 1, 1906.
Mr. Eldridge had returned to Forrest City after working several years as a
construction lineman for the Western Union Telegraph Co. in eastern states. He
was born in 1880, the son of Mr. & Mrs. J. E. Eldridge on the old Eldridge farm
north of Forest City. He graduated from Forrest City High School. In 1912, Mr.
Josh Mallory died in 1912 and Mr. Eldridge had other partners, Rufus Scott, Bert
Mallory, and J. W. Aven, before his son in law, Rodgers Deaderick purchased an
interest. In 1916, the firm went by the name Forrest City Motor Company and sold
the Gardner, Overland and other makes before acquiring the Chevrolet franchise.
In 1918, they added the Studebaker dealership, but retained it only a few years.
In 1947 they obtained the Oldsmobile franchise. In 1931, his son in law joined
the firm. Mr. Eldridge married Miss Corrine Ritchie of Augusta on May 13, 1910,
and to that union wears born three sons, and two daughters.. Mr. Rolfe has been
a member of the Odd Fellows and Woodmen of the World, a member of the Methodist
church for 43 years, and a member of the Forrest City School Board for six
years. Mr. Rolfe loves fox hunting, and raises Walker foxhounds at the old
Eldridge farm.


SOURCE:
HISTORY of ST. FRANCIS COUNTY, ARKANSAS, 1954 - Robert W. Chowning

Copyright, with Permission: Weston McCollum Lewey, Publisher
-Times Herald Publishing-Forrest City, Arkansas