Obituary of J.H. Eldredge, Horton, Bremer Co. IA. BREMER COUNTY, IOWA OBITUARIES 1878-1984 ======================================================================= USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, for their private use as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Transcribed by Barb Braun, February 9, 2000. Questions, please Email: seawave8@hotmail.com ======================================================================= This transcription was obtained from the Waverly Public Library from a loose-leaf notebook entitled: PLAINFIELD AND BREMER COUNTY, IOWA OBITUARIES 1878-1984. Compiled by HAROLD BRIGGS. Includes materials collected by Mrs. CAROLINE HICKS. Indexed by LISA GROTE, JANINE FREESE, SALLY SCHWEER, AND ADRIENNE LAWLOR. TRANSIBERS NOTE: The date of the obituary was either included in the article or written in long-hand at the top of the article. There was no reference as to which newspaper the obituary appeared. Dated Jan. 20, 1885 Death of J. H. Eldredge. It becomes our painful duty to chronicle the death of our old and esteemed friend J. H. Eldredge, one of the old pioneers of Bremer county. He died at his home in Horton, Polk township, on Tuesday morning, Jan. 20, at the age of 74 years and 3 months. Deceased was born in Washington county, N. Y. His last school days were passed at Hamilton academy in Madison county, N. Y. At the early age of 15 years, he was obliged to cease his studies and begin life for himself. He learned the fuller's trade, and worked in woolen manufacturies until nearly 40 years of age. During the year 1833 he was married to Miss Sarah Youmans, who was a native of Oneida county, N. Y. In 1853, he turned his steps westward, and after spending about two years in Lake county, Illinois, came to Bremer county and located upon a farm in Douglas township, where he lived for five years and then came to Horton. His acquaintance with the people of our county was very extended. He was sheriff of the county from 1862 until Jan. 1864. In 1864, after his term of office expired, he returned to Horton and turned his attention to general merchandising and farming, in which he was very successful. Being in poor health for several years he has lived a retired life. There will be no man more missed in Polk township than or old friend, Mr. Eldridge[sic]. Genial in disposition, and sociable, he was the best of company;strong in his principles, and firm in his convictions, you knew where to find him, for he was an outspoken man. But his race is run, death came to the old veteran at a ripe old age and found him ready for the ??ange. He has crossed over the river into the spirit land, there to await the coming of those whom he has left behind. Like the leaves of the forest in autumn, the old settlers are fast falling, and very soon there will be none left to tell the story of pioneer life in Bremer. Thirteen children were born to Mr. And Mrs. Eldridge, eleven of whom are now living. - Nancy Madaline, wife of Adelbert G. Lawrence, a lumber dearler at Motley, Minnesota, Lydia Louisa, wife of Adrian Notting, of Sioux Falls, Dakota; J. R., who now lives at Kokomo, Colorado; Mary, wife of Lavinus Phelps, and living at Appleton, Minnesota; John W., now living at Horton; Francis Eugene, now living in Dakota; Sarah E., wife of Albert G. Lawrence, of Nashua, Iowa; William Y., now doing business in Horton; Helen Annette, wife of E. B. Hayes, of Dallas Texas; Herbey, now living at Horton; Emma D., wife of James MeDonald, now living in Dakota. The blow falls heaviest upon the devoted wife with whom he lived in love and peace for so many years. In the Horton cemetery the body of our aged friend will be laid away beneath the snows of winter, but up there, where no darkness mars the eternal sunshine, he will live on forever. Forget him hot! - though now his name He but a mournful sound. Though by the hearth its utternance claim A stillness 'round. The funeral will take place from the family residence at noon to-day. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transcribed by Barbara Braun February 9, 2000. Any questions, Email me at: seawave8@hotmail.com