Theodore Fortner born 12 Jun 1841, first child of John and Mary Ann ADAMS ELDRIDGE to be born in Davenport, Scott, Iowa.

He married Anna Francis "Fanny" PARKHURST in the old First Baptist Church on 7 Sept 1865 in LeClaire, Iowa, town named from Duncan Campbell ELDRIDGE. Fanny was the dtr of Lemuel and Mary PARKHURST. Lemuel and his father Eleazer settled in the area now called LeClaire in 1836, naming the town Parkhurst.

Theodore began his business career in 1863 as a drug clerk for his brother-in-law, Dr. William Wallace PARKER. In 1867, he went into partnership with his brothers, Joseph an dBowman to form the ELDRIDGE Brothers bakery, confectionery, restaurant, ice cream soda and oyster saloon" at 3rd & Perry Streets in Davenport. This business was in operation until 1892, after that, Theodore joined the W. H. SNIDER and Son Insurance and Real Estate Co. Theodore constructed in 1894, one of Davenport's first apartment buildings, the Cora-Lee-Roy Apartments, at 602 Brady, named after 3 of his 4 children who lived.

He suffered from tuberculosis and spent a lot of time in New Mexico and California trying to recover his health. He died 16 Jun 1908 in Davenport. Fanny served several terms as president of the Scott County Pioneer Association (still exists 2011 open to relatives who settled in Scott County up til 1840. This writer served as 5th vice-president. Fanny died 26 July 1937 and they are buried in Davenport's Oakdale Memorial Gardens. (see Find-a-Grave).

Children all born in Davenport:
1. Cora M. born 8 Sept 1869 (1880 census 11 yo). She attended Davenport schools, graduated from the Chicago Music School. She did not marry but lived with her mother and taught music. She was a member of Davenport's First Presbyterian Church and Scott County Pioneer Assn. She died 16 Aug 1955 of 'heart disease' and is buried in Oakdale.

2. Pearl C. born 4 Jan 1873, died of croup 4 Dec 1874, buried Oakdale

3. Lee Earl born 10 Oct 1876, began his business career in the family insurance business. On 1 Sept 1906 in Detroit Lakes, Becker, Michigan, he married Ada May SCHOONMAKER, born ca 1886 (no date) in Perham, Otter Tail, Minnesota. She was a graduate of Minnesota State Normal College. She is mentioned in 21 Jun 1905 census, parents Abraham and [sic?]Ursla MOREY SCHOONMAKER. Abraham was previously married to Mary WEBSTER. In the 1920 census, she is 34 yo and living in Douglas County, Neraska (Omaha is county seat). She is not in the 1930 census. (Ada and Lee marriage certificate in Becker County, #E-0097)

Lee and Ada lived in Des Moines, Polk Iowa where he worked for the Home Insurance Co. of New York, Scottish Union, and National Fire Insurance Assoc of Philadelphia. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge inDes Moines.

He died 26 Jan 1928 in Davenport and is buried in Oakdale. They had no children.

4. Roy Edwin born 16 Apr 1879 in Davenport where he attended public schools. He worked with his father in the real estate and insurance business. In 1902 he moved to Chicago where he worked in the Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. map department.

On 23 May 1905, his body was found floating in the Chicago River. The Davenport Democrat reported 'no theory as the the manner of the young man's death can be advanced. The probability of self-destruction is decidedly slight and can almost be disregarded. The two remaining theories are accident or assault, and nothing can be said in regard to either until after the coroner's inquest in Chicago'. He was buried in Oakdale. He did not marry.