Person Page 1,679

Dyer Cobb Elder was born on 31 Oct 1842 in Marion Twp., Decatur Co., IndianaG.^4,5,6
     He appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Marion Twp., Decatur Co., IndianaG, in the household of his parents, John Hamilton Elder and Ella Cobb.¹⁴ He appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Marion Twp., Decatur Co., IndianaG, in the household of his parents.¹⁵

Service in the Civil War --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Dyer enlisted as a private in Company E, 7th Infantry Regiment, Indiana, on 28 Aug 1861, in Indianapolis, IndianaG.^16,17,18 The regiment was involved in a number of engagements, including Winchester Heights, Cedar Mountain, and the second battle of Bull Run. It joined the pursuit of Lee through Maryland, and was in the battle of Antietam. During 1863, it was engaged at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, losing heavily in both battles. It moved with the Army of the Potomac in the spring of 1864 being engaged at the battles of the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania, Po River, North Anna River, Bethesda Church and Cold Harbor, being under fire for eighteen days during these engagements and losing heavily.¹⁹
      Dyer was wounded in the right arm in the Battle of the Wilderness 5 Mar 1864. He was in the hospital at Washington and later Philadelphia for many weeks. He mustered out with the regiment 22 Sep 1864.^20,21,22

Starting a Family --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Dyer married Joanna Masten, daughter of John Masten and Louisa J. Dean, on 1 Jan 1867 in Decatur Co., IndianaG, with Rev. S. D. Robinson offciating.^7,8
     Dyer worked on the family farm as a child, and continued as a farmer after the war.^23,24
     Dyer and Joanna appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Newpoint, Decatur Co., IndianaG, enumerated 29 Jun 1870, reporting real estate valued at $500. Their children Louella and John were listed as living with them.²⁵
     Dyer opened a blacksmith shop in GreensburgG 6 Nov 1871. He was not a blacksmith, but hired Lowry Lynn, a master workman, and learned the trade from him. He continued that business the rest of his career.^26,27,28
     Dyer applied for an invalid pension based on his Civil War service on 12 Feb 1879. A pension of $22 per month was finally approved effective 18 Dec 1906, based on his wounds to his right arm, stomach and ear issues. It was increased to $40 per month effective 3 Jun 1912.^29,30
     Dyer and Joanna appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Greensbrug, Decatur Co., Indiana G, enumerated 16 Jun 1880. Their children Louella, John, Addie, and Margaret were listed as living with them, as was her sister M. B., identified as a boarder.³¹

Serving His Community --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Dyer served as a trustee of Washington Twp. from 1862 to 1866, was chief of the fire department for 12 years. He was elected a member of the city council in 1865, serving for four years.^32,33 He was elected treasurer of Decatur Co. in Nov 1898. His term run until Jan 1900, but he was defeated when he ran for another term.^34,35,36
     Dyer and Joanna appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Greensbrug, Decatur Co., Indiana, at 205 East Washington St. G, enumerated 22 Jun 1900, reporting that the family owned its home. Their children Margaret and Mary were listed as living with them.³⁷
     Dyer and Joanna appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Greensbrug, Decatur Co., Indiana, at 515 East Washington St. G, enumerated 15 Apr 1910, reporting that the family owned its home. Their children John and Margaret were listed as living with them.³⁸
     By 1910 he was a deputy oil inspector for the government.³⁹
     Dyer died on 2 Jul 1912 in Greensburg, Decatur Co., IndianaG, at age 69.^9,10,11 He was buried on 4 Jul 1912 in South Park Cemetery, Greensburg, IndianaG.^12,13

James H. Elder was born on 4 Jun 1844 in IndianaG.^4,5,6
     He appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Marion Twp., Decatur Co., IndianaG, in the household of his parents, John Hamilton Elder and Ella Cobb.⁸
     James apparently had a developmental handicap. He was shown in 1870, at age 26, with no occupation, and recorded in 1880 as "idiotic."^9,10
     He appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Marion Twp., Decatur Co., IndianaG, in the household of his parents.¹¹ He appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Newpoint, Decatur Co., IndianaG, in the household of his parents.¹²
     James appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Washington Twp., Decatur Co., IndianaG, in the household of his sister Mary and her husband, Perry Simeon Tremain.¹³
     James died on 24 Aug 1880 at age 36.⁶ He was buried in Sand Creek Cemetery, Greensburg, Decatur Co., IndianaG.⁷

John Perry Elder was born on 20 Jul 1846 in Decatur Co., IndianaG.^4,5,6
     He appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Marion Twp., Decatur Co., IndianaG, in the household of his parents, John Hamilton Elder and Ella Cobb.¹¹ He appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Marion Twp., Decatur Co., IndianaG, in the household of his parents.¹²
     John married Mary Francis Clemons, daughter of Henry M. Clemons and Rachel A. White, on 15 Oct 1868 in Decatur Co., IndianaG, with Rev. L. D. Robinson offciating.^7,8,9
     He generally used his middle name, Perry, as an adult.^13,14,15
     John and Mary appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Newpoint, Decatur Co., IndianaG, enumerated 22 Jun 1870, reporting personal estate of $500. Their son Henry was listed as living with them.¹³
     John and Mary appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Marion Twp., Decatur Co., Indiana G, enumerated 8 Jun 1880. Their son Henry was listed as living with them.¹⁴
     John and Mary appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Greensbrug, Decatur Co., Indiana, at 331 East North G, enumerated 2 Jun 1900, reporting that the family owned its home.
     He was a farmer, but became as baker salesman by 1900.^16,17,18
     His wife died on 25 Feb 1908 in Greensburg, Decatur Co., IndianaG.¹⁹
     John died on 13 Apr 1909 in Greensburg, Decatur Co., IndianaG, at age 62.¹⁰ He was buried on 14 Apr 1909 in South Park Cemetery, Greensburg, Decatur Co., IndianaG.³

Mary M. Elder was born on 28 Aug 1848 in IndianaG.^4,5,6
     She appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Marion Twp., Decatur Co., IndianaG, in the household of her parents, John Hamilton Elder and Ella Cobb.¹¹ She appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Marion Twp., Decatur Co., IndianaG, in the household of her parents.¹²
     Mary married Perry Simeon Tremain, son of Simeon Tremain and Lois Eggleston, on 19 Dec 1867 in Decatur Co., IndianaG, with Rev. John D. Spilman offciating.^7,8,9
     Mary and Perry appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Greensbrug, Decatur Co., IndianaG, enumerated 30 Jun 1870. Their daughter Minnie was listed as living with them.¹³
     Mary and Perry appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Washington Twp., Decatur Co., Indiana G, enumerated 4 Jun 1880. Their daughter Minnie was listed as living with them, as was her mother, her mentally handicapped brother James, and a 16-year-old servant, Mary Eden.¹⁴
     Mary died on 6 Sep 1880 at age 32.⁶ She was buried in Sand Creek Cemetery, Greensburg, Decatur Co., IndianaG.¹⁰

Perry Simeon Tremain was born on 30 May 1844 in IndianaG.^4,5,6
     He appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Washington Twp., Decatur Co., IndianaG, in the household of his parents, Simeon Tremain and Lois Eggleston.¹⁶ He appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Washington Twp., Decatur Co., IndianaG, in the household of his parents.¹⁷

Crippled by Civil War Wounds --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

      He enlisted 12 Aug 1862 as a private in Company E, 7th Infantry Regiment, Indiana, in Greensburg, IndianaG.^18,19 The regiment was involved in a number of engagements, including the second battle of Bull Run. It joined the pursuit of Lee through Maryland, and was in the battle of Antietam. During 1863, it was engaged at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, losing heavily in both battles.²⁰
      He was wounded in the knee and transferred to an "invalid corps," Co. G, 20th Indiana Regiment, 20 Oct 1863. He was supposedly wounded at the battle of Weldon Railroad, but that occurred in Aug 1864. He was crippled from the injury the rest of his life.^21,22,23 He was discharged 25 Dec 1864.²⁴
     Perry applied for an invalid pension based on his Civil War service on 6 Jan 1865, which was approved 8 Apr, effective 30 Nov 1864. He received $6 per month, based on total disability from a gunshot wound to his left leg. According to reports he was the first veteran in the county awarded a pension. His pension was reduced to $4 in 1865, increased to $6 in 1877, $8 then $12 in 1879, $18 in 1880, and $24 in 1882.^25,26,27
     He farmed for a time after the war, but his wounds forced him to retire by 1880.^28,29,30

Starting a Family --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Perry married first Mary M. Elder, daughter of John Hamilton Elder and Ella Cobb, on 19 Dec 1867 in Decatur Co., IndianaG, with Rev. John D. Spilman offciating.^7,8,9
     Perry was named an heir in the will of his father dated 7 Sep 1868 in Decatur Co., IndianaG. He was to receive his father's entire estate, except what was in the house, after the death of his mother. He was to receive from the house one bed and bedding. He was to pay his to brother Asa one dollar; to William, son of his late sister Mariah, $150; to his brother Elijah one dollar; and to his sister Lois $50. He was also to have a suitable stone placed on his mother's grave when she died.³¹
     Perry and Mary appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Greensbrug, Decatur Co., IndianaG, enumerated 30 Jun 1870. Their daughter Minnie was listed as living with them.³²
     Perry and Mary appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Washington Twp., Decatur Co., Indiana G, enumerated 4 Jun 1880. Their daughter Minnie was listed as living with them, as was her mother, her mentally handicapped brother James, and a 16-year-old servant, Mary Eden.³³
     His wife died on 6 Sep 1880.³⁴

A Second Marriage --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Perry married second Nancy A. Bailey, daughter of David Bailey, on 22 Jun 1887 in Decatur Co., IndianaG, with M. W. Nearkins offciating.^10,11
      His pension was reviewed, and on 14 May 1889 retroactive increases were ordered. He then received $8 from 1864, $18 from 1879, $24 from 1881, $30 from 1883, and $36 from 1886.³⁵
     Perry and Nancy appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Greensbrug, Decatur Co., Indiana, at South Michigan Ave. G, enumerated 26 Jun 1900, reporting that the family owned its home.³⁶
     Perry died on 14 Aug 1903 in Washington, Decatur Co., IndianaG, at age 59, at his home. His war wounds were listed as a contributing factor.^12,13 He was buried on 16 Aug 1903 in South Park Cemetery, Greensburg, Decatur Co., IndianaG.^14,15

Joanna Masten was born on 14 May 1850 in IndianaG.^4,5,6
     She appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Sparta Twp., Dearborn Co., IndianaG, in the household of her parents, John Masten and Louisa J. Dean.¹⁴ She appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Sparta Twp., Dearborn Co., IndianaG, in the household of her parents.¹⁵
     Joanna married Dyer Cobb Elder, son of John Hamilton Elder and Ella Cobb, on 1 Jan 1867 in Decatur Co., IndianaG, with Rev. S. D. Robinson offciating.^7,8
     Joanna and Dyer appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Newpoint, Decatur Co., IndianaG, enumerated 29 Jun 1870, reporting real estate valued at $500. Their children Louella and John were listed as living with them.¹⁶
     Joanna and Dyer appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Greensbrug, Decatur Co., Indiana G, enumerated 16 Jun 1880. Their children Louella, John, Addie, and Margaret were listed as living with them, as was her sister M. B., identified as a boarder.¹⁷
     Joanna and Dyer appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Greensbrug, Decatur Co., Indiana, at 205 East Washington St. G, enumerated 22 Jun 1900, reporting that the family owned its home. Their children Margaret and Mary were listed as living with them.¹⁸
     Joanna was a general agent in 1900, and a saleswoman for a rug factory by 1910.^19,20
     Joanna and Dyer appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Greensbrug, Decatur Co., Indiana, at 515 East Washington St. G, enumerated 15 Apr 1910, reporting that the family owned its home. Their children John and Margaret were listed as living with them.²¹
     Her husband died on 2 Jul 1912 in Greensburg, Decatur Co., IndianaG.^22,23,24
     Joanna applied for a widow's pension based on her late husband's Civil War service on 9 Jul 1912, based on her late husband's Civil War service. It was approved effective 3 Jul 1912, the day after his death, for $12 per month. It was increased to $20 in 1914, $25 in 1917, and $30 in 1920.^25,26
     Joanna died on 31 Jul 1924 in Greensbrug, Decatur Co., IndianaG, at age 74.^9,10,11 She was buried on 1 Aug 1924 in South Park Cemetery, Greensburg, Decatur Co., IndianaG.^12,13