My Genealogy Hound

James R. McElhany is the eldest of four children born to William A. and Nancy A. (Lewis) McElhany, and was born in Newton County, September 8, 1845. He learned the printer’s trade in early life, and followed this chiefly until the breaking out of the war, when, determining to support the principles he believed to be right, he enlisted in the Confederate States army, becoming a member of Williams’ battalion, Shelby’s brigade, Marmaduke’s command. He was at the battles of Wilson’s Creek, Lexington and Pea Ridge, and in all the skirmishes in which his command was engaged up to the surrender in 1865. He was in the saddle and harness business in Texas until 1875, at which time he came to Newton County, and embarked in the grocery business, which he continued until 1880. After holding the office of sheriff for some time he engaged in the dry goods trade in Neosho, but a short time after was burned out, and he did not again engage in the same pursuit, but began in the grocery trade. At the end of a year he sold out, and purchased the Omnibus and Transfer Line. Mr. McElhany was married in 1866, to Emma Wise, a native of Louisville, and by her is the father of five children: May, Roy, Fleta, Laura and Willie.