A-JosiahBio.htm  
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From "A History of Monroe County, Michigan; a Narrative Account of its
Historical Progress, its People, and its Principal Interests," by
John McClelland Bulkeley, vol. 2, Lewis Pub. Co, Chicago, 1913.
Pages 802-803.
 JOSIAH M. ELDER.                                                                   son  ALFRED's obit
Among men everywhere there must always be leaders.
Persons not naturally demonstrative to too great a degree, with a high regard for the rights of others and possessing proper ideas as to the best means of advancing the interests of their communities, are doubtless best fitted for leadership. They do not always attain to that position, but when they do their very character serves as a guarantee that the tasks intrusted to them will be well and faithfully performed, and that portion of the world which comes under their influence will be bettered in its conditions because of their services.  An acknowledged leader in the business, social and political life of Petersburg, Monroe county, is Josiah M. Elder, retired merchant and farmer, veteran of the Civil war, president of the village board of trustees and self-made man, who was born in Wood county, Ohio, January 1, 1848, a son of John and Mary (Morehouse) Elder.
  Joseph Elder, the grandfather of Josiah M., was of Scotch birth, and came to the United States at an early day, settling in Pennsylvania, where his son John was born in 1805.  The latter removed to Perrysburg, Ohio, in 1825, was there married and spent the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits in Wood county.  He was a prominent and influential Republican, served in various minor township and county offices, and for some time was sheriff of Wood county.  He was the father of seven children, four daughters and three sons, the latter all serving in the Union army during the Civil War, and one, Martin Elder, losing his life in battle.  In 1912, five of the children were still living.
  Josiah M. Elder was the youngest of the family, and was reared on his father's farm, attending the district schools until he was fifteen years of age, at which time he enlisted in Company E, 179th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving until the close of the war in the Twenty-third Army Corps, under the command of General Thomas, and participating in numerous engagements, including the battles of Nashville and Franklin.  On his return to Wood county, Ohio, the young soldier resumed the occupation of a farmer, and remained in his native community until 1867, at which time he came to visit his sisters, who had preceded him to Monroe county, Michigan.  A penniless youth, he possessed the far more valuable capital of brains, energy, and perseverance, and, seeing the opportunities offered him, settled down to make a place for himself among his new community's substantial men.  For twenty years he was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Dundee township, but subsequently disposed of the farm which he had cleared there and moved to Petersburg, embarking in the clothing business under the firm name of J.M. Elder & Son.  He also owns twenty acres of land in Summerfield township, and in 1902 erected what is known as the Elder Block, at the corner of Saline and Center streets in Petersburg.  He has been prominent in Grand Army circles, at present serving his fourteenth year as commander of Morgan Parker Post No. 281, and was appointed by the board of supervisors to look after the Soldiers and Sailors Burial Fund.  In politics a stalwart Republican, he has been justice of the peace for one term, and at present is acting in the capacity of President of the village board.
  On July 4, 1868, Mr. Elder was united in marriage with Miss Emily Trumble, and five children were born to this union: Ada M., the wife of Robert Rowe, of Western Ohio; Alfred O., a prominent clothier of Petersburg, who was for many years his father's partner; Rev. Martin P., a Methodist Episcopal Minister of the state of washington, who enlisted as a private in Company D, Thirty-fifth Michigan Volunteers, during the Spanish-American war, and was promoted to the rank of quartermaster; and Ellen and Edward E., who are single and reside at home.  Mrs. Elder died March 2, 1889, and on September 25, 1890, Mr. Elder was married to Mary Lister, who was born and reared in Michigan.  Two children have been born to them: Elma A., born in 1900; and George J., March 9, 1902.
  Mr. Elder is conceded to be one of the foremost and most influential men of his community.  from his long association with public and business affairs in Monroe county, he has been familiar with the various stages of its development, and in no small measure is the present condition of the county due to his active interest and energetic management of matters within his own field of labor.

FLORENCE HUSTON ELDER --Obit (wife of Stanley - his father was Alfred)