Edward was born 25 Jun 1860 in Davenport, Scott, Iowa.
At his step-mother Rebecca THOMPSON ELDRIDGE's death in 1871, he and his 2 sisters, "Carrie" Caroline Lincoln and "Nettie" Marie Antoinette, were sent by Edward to live with family. Edward was sent to his grandfather Duncan Campbell ELDRIDGE's home where he lived for 1 year, and after that with a cousin, Aaron MIDDLETON, in Mahaska County, Iowa (no city).

In 1878, Edward returned to Davenport to begin a printing career as compositor for the "Times" newspaper, a publication his uncle, Micajah ELDRIDGE, founded in 1874.

Edward married Mary Ellis WAUGH on 27 June 1883 in Rock Island, Rock Island, Illinois. Mary was born 1 Dec 1859 in Cable, Mercer, Illinois to John Madison and Mary Ann BROWNING ELLIS WAUGH. Edward and Mary lived in Davenport where he worked as a newspaper printer.

Mary WAUGH ELDRIDGE died of tuberculosis on 11 Feb 1899 at her sister Sarah LAWHEAD's home in Rock Island. She was buried in her sister's lot in Chippiannock Cemetery in Rock Island. Her obit in the Davenport Democrat indicates she and Edward were parents of 5 children, who were cared for after her death by John and Sarah Lawhead in their Rock Island home.

Edward contracted smallpox. He died 23 Mar 1905 in Rock Island from causes connected to alcoholism and was buried by the Tri-City Typographical Union in a lone grave in Chippiannock. His obit states he is survived by 2 children and that he was a member of the Baptist Church.

Children:
1. Edna Waugh b 27 Aug 1884 in Davenport, Iowa and in 1900 lived with John and Sarah
2. Bessie born 12 Feb 1887 in Davenport
3. Nina Waugh b 27 Feb 1890 in Davenport; d July 1964 in Michigan (no location) brought up in the Rock Island home of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben BOLLMAN and used the last name of BOLLMAN.
She married Thos. Johnathan STRICKLAND
4, Edward Waugh b 27 Apr 1893 (or 27 July 1890) probably in Davenport and lived with John and Sarah Lawhead in Rock Island. In 1910, "Waugh" was working as a top builder for the Velie Automobile Co. in Moline, Rock Island County, Illinois and was boarding alone in Rock Island.
5. Nina Waugh b 27 Feb 1890 was born in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut, son of Silas and Eliza STEELE STRICKLAND. Thos was a machinist at the Rock Island Arsenal and Nina was employed by Modern Woodmen Co. They lived in Rock Island.