Stephen Eldridge b.1839 son of Peter J. & Catherine (Traxler) Eldridge
Not my family line, just sharing.
The following Biographical sketch was copied from the book "HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY COUNTIES OF WHITE AND PULASKI, INDIANA. Historical and Biographical. Illustrated. Chicago; F.A. Battey & Co., Publishers. 1883.
page 679, Salem Township, Pulaski County, Indiana.
"STEPHEN ELDRIDGE, son of PETER J. and CATHERINE (TRAXLER) ELDRIDGE, was born in Crawford County, Ohio, August 25, 1839. He attended school there in winter and worked with his father at carpentering in summer until 1857, when they came to this township. Here STEPHEN continued at his trade until the war broke out, when he enlisted in Company I, Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was with Gen. THOMAS in all his battles to Atlanta, and was then with SHERMAN from Atlanta to the sea. He was mustered out at Indianapolis, and on returning home resumed his trade. December 22, 1867, he married CAROLINE, daughter of NATHANIEL and LUCINDA (OWENS) WAPLES, and to their union were born six children - CHARLES M. (deceased), PRINCESS E., FRANCIS E., OREGON, MARTHA L., and GRANT E. In 1867, he purchased twenty acres in Section 31, and now owns 260 acres, well improved with good dwelling, barn and other outbuildings. In 1880, he was elected School Director, which position he still holds. In politics, he is a Republican."