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)