Bowman Henry ELDRIDGE was born 30 Sept 1845 in Davenport, son of John and Mary Ann ADAMS ELDRIDGE (also Duncan Campbell ELDRIDGE's nephew).

He married 9 Feb 1869 Margaret Drumgoole who was also very civic-minded. They were married in St. Anthony's Church in Davenport by the Very Rev. J.A.M. PELEMORGUES. Margaret was born 18 Feb 1851 in New York (no location), dtr of Patrick and Mary FERGUSON DRUMGOOLE. She came to Davenport with her parents in 1856 and attended St. Anthony's Parochial School founded by Fr. PELEMORGUES, was the first school in Davenport and was attended by Catholic and Protestant children.

In 1867, Bowman joined his brothers Theodore and Joseph in the bakery business at 3rd and Perry Streets where the Blackhawk Hotel now stands. For 20 years he was connected with his brothers, but in 1885, Bowman started his own restaurant at 309 Brady Street. At age 50, he left the restaurant business and began work for Scott County, serving as constable and as the first "turnkey" at the county jail. In later years he worked for August E. STEFFEN Co. as a custodian.

One of the early "intelligence offices" as employment agencies were first called, was started in Davenport in 1892 due to Margaret DRUMGOOLE ELDRIDGE's efforts. She worked until her death helping others find employment. She was a prominent member of St. Anthony's Relief Society. Both Bowman and Margaret were members of the Scott County Pioneer Old Settlers Assoc. for which Bowman served as president. Membership in this genealogy social support group is limited to those who arrived in Scott County before 1840 and successors. It meets only once a year. The ELDRIDGE home is at 614 Main St, now HALLIGAN McCABE DEVRIES Funeral Home (see website).

Margaret died 25 Jan 1912 in their home at 424 W. 5th St. (old street number) of diabetes. Bowman died 31 July 1924 in Davenport and is buried with Margaret and her brother James DRUMGOOLE, in Davenport's Mt. Calvary Cemetery. They had 5 children.