Oliver Clay Elder1,2,3

Family Chart
ID# 16683, (1843 - 1924)
FatherWilliam M. Elder4,5,6 (Jan 1802 - 8 Apr 1875)
MotherSarah Sellers4,6 (abt 1806 - May 1855)

Key Events:

Birth: 27 Nov 1843, Washington Twp., Decatur Co., Indiana7,8,9
Marriage: 28 Jan 1868, Decatur Co., Indiana, Sophronia Cobb (15 Sep 1842 - 5 Jun 1919)10,11,12
Death: 23 Feb 192413
Burial: South Park Cemetery, Greensburg, Decatur Co., Indiana14
ChartsDescendants of Gideon Cobb

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     Oliver Clay Elder was born on 27 Nov 1843 in Washington Twp., Decatur Co., Indiana.7,8,9
     He appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Washington Twp., Decatur Co., Indiana, in the household of his parents, William M. Elder and Sarah Sellers.15
     His mother died in May 1855, when Oliver was 11 years old.16,17 He appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Greensburg, Decatur Co., Indiana, in the household of his father, William M. Elder, and stepmother, Eliza Jane Ford.18

Off to War --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Oliver enlisted as a private in Company E, 7th Indiana Infantry Regiment, on 28 Aug 1861, in Indianapolis. He mustered in 13 Sep 1861.19,20,21
     The unit left at once for Western Virginia, and joining Gen. Reynolds' command at Cheat Mountain. It 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.22
     Oliver was promoted to corporal in Jun 1862, and to sergeant 5 Mar 1863.23,24
     During 1863, the unit 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, Virginia, where Oliver was wounded 5 May 1864. The regiment was also engaged at 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.22
     Oliver mustered out with the regiment 20 Sep 1864.25,26,22

Returning to Civilian Life --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Oliver married Sophronia Cobb, daughter of Dyar Cobb and Almyra Tremain, and niece of the woman his first cousin John Hamilton Elder had married 26 years before, on 28 Jan 1868 in Decatur Co., Indiana, with Rev. James W. Lewis offciating.10,11,12
     Oliver and Sophronia appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Greensburg, Decatur Co., Indiana, in the household of his younger brother James and his wife, Lydia A. Pratt.27
     Oliver and Sophronia appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Washington Twp., Decatur Co., Indiana, enumerated 7 Jun 1880. Their children Orris and Edna were listed as living with them, as was F. McConnall, age 30, a farm hand.12
     Oliver applied for an invalid pension based on his Civil War service 11 Mar 1889, which was approved, but apparently not promptly. The first payment for which a record is found is for $17 per month effective 7 Sep 1904. The amount was raised six times until it reached $72 per year effective 13 Apr 1921.28,29
     Oliver and Sophronia appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Washington Twp., Decatur Co., Indiana, enumerated 6 Jun 1900, reporting that they owned their farm, free from mortgage. Their children Orris, Edna and Jessie were listed as living with them, as was her father a 50-year-old servant, Frank McConnell, and William F. Christy, son of her father's sister, age 65, a widower, and identified as a boarder.30
     Oliver and Sophronia moved into town in 1903, after he retired.31
     Oliver was a farmer, retiring in 1903, retaining 290 acres of land.32,33,34,35,36

Retiring to Town --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

They appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Greensburg, Decatur Co., Indiana, at 414 North Broadway, enumerated 2 May 1910, reporting that the family owned its home, free of mortgage. Their daughter Jessie was listed as living with them.37
     His wife died on 5 Jun 1919 in Washington Twp., Decatur Co., Indiana.38,39
     Oliver appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Greensburg, Decatur Co., Indiana, at 416 North Broadway, enumerated 5 Jan 1920, reporting that he owned his home, free of mortgage. His daughter Edna was listed as living with him, as were her children, Paul Meek.40
     Oliver died on 23 Feb 1924 at age 80.13 He was buried in South Park Cemetery, Greensburg, Decatur Co., Indiana.14

Children:
     Children with Sophronia Cobb

Oliver and Sophronia had two additional childen, who died before 1900, and whose names are unknown.43,44
  • Orris Clifford Elder12,30 (17 Jun 1876 - 7 Oct 1965)
  • Edna A. Elder12,30,41 (29 Jun 1878 - 27 Sep 1949)
  • Jessie Alice Elder42,30,37 (24 Sep 1882 - 15 Oct 1918)

Citations

  1. [S1583] William M. Elder household, 1850 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows name as Oliver C. Elder.
  2. [S1568] Marshal Elder household, 1870 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows name as Clay Elder.
  3. [S1938] Marriage Records, Decatur Co., Indiana, 2:204, Oliver C. Elder and Sophronia Cobb.
  4. [S1583] William M. Elder household, 1850 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows them apparently living as parent and child.
  5. [S1572] William M. Elder household, 1860 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows them apparently living as parent and child.
  6. [S4076] Harding, History of Decatur County Indiana, pg 698.
  7. [S1583] William M. Elder household, 1850 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows age 7 and state.
  8. [S4076] Harding, History of Decatur County Indiana, pg 698, shows date and township.
  9. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial #24378466, O. C. Elder, shows year, and includes tombstone photo showing same.
  10. [S1938] Marriage Records, Decatur Co., Indiana, 2:204, Oliver C. Elder and Sophronia Cobb, shows date, county, state, and officiant.
  11. [S1568] Marshal Elder household, 1870 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows them apparently living as husband and wife.
  12. [S1119] Clay Elder household, 1880 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana.
  13. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial #24378466, O. C. Elder, shows date, and includes tombstone photo showing year.
  14. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial #24378466, O. C. Elder, and includes tombstone photo.
  15. [S1583] William M. Elder household, 1850 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana.
  16. [S4076] Harding, History of Decatur County Indiana, pg 698, shows month and year.
  17. [S1105] "Indiana Marriage Collection, 1800-1941," Ancestry.com, record for William M. Elder and Eliza Jane Wallace, citing Ruth M. Slevin, complier, Decatur County, Indiana Marriage Records 1852 - 1878, Part I - Grooms Part II, referencing bk H, pg 263.
  18. [S1572] William M. Elder household, 1860 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana.
  19. [S11079] "Indiana Archives Digital Index Records," , muster roll card record for Oliver C. Elder, show enlistment date and place.
  20. [S1159] "American Civil War Soldiers," Ancestry.com, record for Oliver C. Elder of Decatur Co., Indiana, shows rank, two promotions, regiment, and enlistment date.
  21. [S11262] Elder, Civil War Pension Index, shows unit.
  22. [S1158] "U.S. American Civil War Regiments, 1861-1866," Ancestry.com, record for 7th Infantry Regiment IN, citing The Union Army, vol. 3, gives history of the regiment.
  23. [S11079] "Indiana Archives Digital Index Records," , muster roll card record for Oliver C. Elder, show dates of promotions.
  24. [S1159] "American Civil War Soldiers," Ancestry.com, record for Oliver C. Elder of Decatur Co., Indiana, shows two promotions,.
  25. [S11079] "Indiana Archives Digital Index Records," , muster roll card record for Oliver C. Elder, show date mustered out.
  26. [S1159] "American Civil War Soldiers," Ancestry.com, record for Oliver C. Elder of Decatur Co., Indiana, shows termination date.
  27. [S1568] Marshal Elder household, 1870 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana.
  28. [S11262] Elder, Civil War Pension Index, shows filing date and application and certificate numbers.
  29. [S11263] Oliver C. Elder, Pension Payment Cards, shows payments.
  30. [S1555] Oliver C. Elder household, 1900 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana.
  31. [S4076] Harding, History of Decatur County Indiana, pg 698, shows year.
  32. [S1568] Marshal Elder household, 1870 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows occupation as farmer.
  33. [S1119] Clay Elder household, 1880 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows occupation as farmer.
  34. [S1555] Oliver C. Elder household, 1900 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows occupation as farmer.
  35. [S4076] Harding, History of Decatur County Indiana, pg 698, shows holdings.
  36. [S1524] Oliver E. Elde household, 1910 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows occupation as own income.
  37. [S1524] Oliver E. Elde household, 1910 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana.
  38. [S11259] Sophrina Cobb Elder, Certificate of Death, shows date, township, county, and state.
  39. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial #24378470, Sophrina Cobb Elder, shows date, and includes tombstone photo showing year.
  40. [S1167] O. C. Elder household, 1920 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana.
  41. [S11260] Edna Elder Meek, Certificate of Death.
  42. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial #24378461, Jessie Alice Elder, image of obituary from unidentified newspaper.
  43. [S1555] Oliver C. Elder household, 1900 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows her as mother of 5, with 3 surviving.
  44. [S4076] Harding, History of Decatur County Indiana, pg 698, shows they had five children, two deceased.