Occupying a prominent position among the leading businessmen of Caldwell, Idaho, we find the subject of this biography, Trowbridge C. Egleston, wholesale and retail dealer in hardware, stoves, tinware, groceries, provisions, wagons and farm machinery. The business of which Mr. Egleston is the head was established in 1884 by Frank R. Coffin & Brother. In 1892 Mr. Egleston purchased the store and has since been at the head of its management, doing a prosperous business. He occupies a brick building, forty by one hundred and twenty-five feet in dimensions, with basement, and also has two large storehouses, in which his supply stock is kept.
Mr. Egleston is a native of Ohio. He was born in Madison, that state, June 19, 1857 and traces his ancestry to England. The progenitor of the Egleston family in this country was Eben Egleston, who settled in Massachusetts at an early date. He was by trade a tanner, and was a most influential and worthy citizen. His family comprised three sons. Russell S. Egleston. the father of Trowbridge C. was born in Westfield, Massachusetts, and in early life had excellent educational advantages. He graduated at both Auburn Theological Seminary and Williams College, and was for many years in the active work of the ministry of the Presbyterian Church. He preached in Madison, Ohio, Westfield, Connecticut, and Gaines, New York, his pastoral work covering half a century. He is now eighty-three years of age, vigorous in both mind and body, and is still a resident of Gaines, New York. His good wife, who is now seventy-two years of age, was formerly Miss Elizabeth Trowbridge, she being a native of Dutchess County. New York. To them were born two sons and a daughter.
Trowbridge C. Egleston was educated at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, and learned the hardware business in Albion, that state, and in the hardware establishment of Pratt & Company, of Buffalo, was employed for some time. He then became traveling salesman for the Cambia Iron Company, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, with which he was connected four years, and the following four rears he traveled for the Simmons Hardware Company, of St. Louis. While thus occupied he learned the manufacturers’ prices and gained a wide range of information, which has been of great value to him since he established himself in a business of his own. On purchasing the store above referred to at Caldwell, he centered his interests here and from the first has met with merited success, and he now controls a trade that extends into the surrounding country for miles.
Mr. Egleston was married in 1878 to Miss Sarah B. Mann, of Pittsfield, Ohio, daughter of Philo H. Mann, an Ohio stockman. Mr. and Mrs. Egleston have two daughters, Florence I. and Ethel E. Mrs. Egleston is a member of the Baptist church.
Fraternally, Mr. Egleston is a Mason, having received the degrees of the blue lodge and chapter. He has served Caldwell as mayor, and is a Republican, taking a commendable interest always in public affairs and looking ever to the welfare of his city and country.