The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-04-13
W. W. ELDRIDGE.

Watson W. Eldridge, chief Of the diyf-
sion OF issues. Currency Bureau, Treas
ury Department. is a legal resident of
Michigan. He was brought up on farm
In Wayne County, near Detroit: received
a common school education and entered
the Union army in 1862 as member Of
Company C. Twenty-fourth Michigan In
fantry, which was a part of the famous
Iron Brigade" At the close OF the war
he entered the Adjutant Generals Office,
War Department, and remained there I'M
Ill 1870, when he received an appointment
in the Currency Bureau. where he has
been employed to the present date He
went through all the clerical grades and
in 1875 was appointed teller for the Du-
reau. in which position he served until
1889. when he was promoted to his pres
ent position. In 1877 he was sent to Eng
land by the department in charge Of
bonds for the English syndicate
His long experience has made Elm N
expert in matters relating TO GOVERNING Mt
securities. Re was appointed by Secre-
tary OF the Treasury Charles Foster, in
1891. chairman OF committee to make
investigations into the methods Of rro-
=
to improving The same. Upon the recon-
meHdation Of this committee most OF the
improved methods used at present wers
introduced
Among the more important of these are
The RESTING Of the notes after the print
ing is entirely completed has restorin.
The glossy finished surface. Spoiled in wet
ting the paper preparatory 20 the print
ing; changing the method of drying The
xh vas " Iop in Ii
but is now accomplished by placing them
in warm currents OF air driven by electric
fans; the re-engraving OF the backs of the
notes with more artistic designs and the
changing of the silk threads I've OF
which run through each note. to the To-
calized silk fibre. This latter design for
distinctive paper has never been success
July counte-feited. although poor iniita-
tons have been made Upon tho recon-
mendatior OF the late Comptroller.
Charles G. Dawes. Mr.. Eldridge was les
ignated to represent the Currency BureaI
In preparing designs for the new issue of
national bank notes, which the office is
just CONNIE ncing TO issue. During his
connection with the issue division there
have been issued to the national banks
over two billions of dollars Without any
loss whatever. This is a record OF which
he may feel justly proud. Tie division
carries on hand in the vault constantly
from ninety to a hundred and thirty mill
ions of dollars ready for issue.
BIZ. Eldridge comes from colonial stock.
his great ancestor. eight generations back
William Eldridge-having emigrated
rom England in 1885 and settled on Cape
Cod at Yarmouth. Mass. Both his pater-
nal and maternal great-grandfathers
fought in the Revolution; his fathers ia
ther Elisha Eidridge, having been one of
the Minute Men who marched to Lexing-
ton AMI Concord April 10. 1775. where the
first gun OF the Revolution was fired. and
his mothers grandfather. Thomas Lyon.
having been with General Stark at the
battle of Bennington and afterwaTd pres
ent at the surrender of Burgoyne
Mr.. Eldridge is a past post commander
Of the G. A. R., and has been on the stan
Of six executive commanders chief OF
the Grand Army in connection with legis-
lative work for the order. He is at pres
ent judge advocate of the Department If
the Potomac. He is also an honorary
member of Columbia Commandery of
knights Templar of this city. to which
body he has belonged since 1857