My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM ELDER. In the early settlement of Clark County the Elder family represented the best elements of its population in as marked a manner as they do at the present time, and a goodly number of them are written up for the Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties. He who is especially represented in this sketch is a worthy offshoot of the family tree — one who performed faithful service in the late Civil War and who is possessed of more than ordinary intelligence. He has been a reader all his life and is well informed upon the leading events of the day. His occupation from his youth has been that of a farmer, in which he has been successful, accumulating a comfortable home and a competence. The parents of our subject were Thomas and Margery (Anderson) Elder, due mention of whom is made on another page in this volume. He was the tenth child and was born April 22, 1841, at the farm which he now owns and occupies. He spent his boyhood days in attendance at the district school and in the performance of the lighter duties around the home, remaining under the parental roof until the outbreak of the Civil War. In August, 1862, he entered the Union Army as a member of Company A, Ninety-fourth Ohio Infantry under the command of Capt. Perry Stewart, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this Album. He went with his regiment to Kentucky after the the rebel general, Kirby Smith, and later fought at Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Perryville, Stone River, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge. Subsequently he was detailed to report for duty at Columbus, Ohio, and was engaged in guard duty until receiving his discharge with his regiment in June, 1865.

Upon leaving the service Mr. Elder returned to the parental roof and remained there until after his father’s death. Then he and his brother Russell bought out all the heirs except the widow, and later our subject purchased the interest of his mother and brother. He is thus owner of the original homestead, which possesses for him a far more than moneyed value. He brought a bride to the old rooftree in 1877, being married on the 15th of March, that year, to Miss Martha J., daughter of Michael Bower.

Mrs. Elder was born September 7, 1847, in Wyandot County, this State, to which her parents had emigrated at an early day and where the father still lives. Of her union with our subject there were born four children, viz: Margery; Carrie, who died when six years old; Kate, who is at home; one child who died in infancy. Mrs. Martha J. Elder departed this life at her home in Green Township, October 16, 1887. She was a lady of many estimable qualities and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Politically, Mr. Elder is a solid Republican and has been quite active in the counsels of his party, serving as a delegate to the county conventions and occupying other important positions. His landed estates embrace two hundred and twelve acres with good improvements and all his surroundings indicate the perseverance and industry which are characteristic of the man. The fact that he is well spoken of by his neighbors is sufficient indication of his standing in the community.