Caledonia

ELDRIDGE, Lovell Jackson

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 120-121 
(portrait p 121)

Lovell Jackson ELDRIDGE, of St. Johnsbury [Caledonia County, Vermont], was 
born 19 November 1863 at Montgomery [Franklin County, Vermont], son of Lewis 
J. and Rosa J. (TRACY) ELDRIDGE. When eight years old he was left an orphan, 
without friends or property. By dint of persistent work on the farm, he paid 
his own way in district schools until he was eighteen years of age. 
Meanwhile he saved money enough to provide for himself a supplementary course 
of one year's study at the State Normal School, Johnson, and three years at 
People's Academy, Morrisville [both in Lamoille County]. At both schools he 
took a select course of study and thorough drill, preparatory for business. 
Great credit must be given him for availing himself to the fullest extent of 
his opportunities, and for his honorable struggle when a youth to obtain the 
best education afforded by his narrow circumstances. On leaving school and 
facing for the first time the business world, Mr. ELDRIDGE was not 
handicapped by cash debts, nor burdened with the consciousness of having had 
material favors from relatives or friends.

His first venture was to canvass eleven of the western and central states, in 
the stencil and stamp business, with headquarters at Madison [Dane County], 
Wisconsin, manufacturing, largely, his own goods. Returning to Vermont to 
regain his health, he taught school three years in Enosburgh [Franklin 
County] and Hyde Park [Lamoille County]. From 1887 to 1890 he was traveling 
salesman and collector in the New England states for a large pottery firm of 
Trenton, New Jersey; was then appointed local agent at Morrisville for the 
Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, remaining there two years, when 
he was placed in charge of the general agency of that company, with 
headquarters at St. Johnsbury, where he now has a large and prosperous 
business.

On 19 October 1892 at Plattsburgh, Clinton County, Missouri, he [Lovell 
Jackson ELDRIDGE] married Katie A., daughter of Col. Charles W. and Mary E. 
(FUNKHOUSER) PORTER, Mr. Porter a banker of that city. Mr. ELDRIDGE has been 
a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1891, and also of the 
Sons of Veterans, Camp No. 50, at Morrisville. He has never taken any part 
in politics nor held political office. He became an active member of the 
First Congregational Church at Danville [Caledonia County], in 1890, and 
later of the Young Men's Christian Association of St. Johnsbury. He has been 
president of the Morrisville Lyceum Bureau, and in 1890 joined the Vermont 
Life Underwriters Association, of which he was elected one of the vice 
presidents in 1891.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly