Dyer Cobb Elder1,2,3

ID# 16781, (1842 - 1912)
FatherJohn Hamilton Elder4,5,3 (14 Aug 1816 - 9 Jan 1876)
MotherElla Cobb4,5,3 (4 Oct 1814 - 7 Mar 1884)

Key Events:

Birth: 31 Oct 1842, Marion Twp., Decatur Co., Indiana6,7,8
Marriage: 1 Jan 1867, Decatur Co., Indiana, Joanna Masten (14 May 1850 - 31 Jul 1924)9,10
Death: 2 Jul 1912, Greensburg, Decatur Co., Indiana11,12,13
Burial: 4 Jul 1912, South Park Cemetery, Greensburg, Indiana14,15
ChartsDescendants of Gideon Cobb
AncestryThe Cobbs of Pawlet, Vermont

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     Dyer Cobb Elder was born on 31 Oct 1842 in Marion Twp., Decatur Co., Indiana.6,7,8
     He appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Marion Twp., Decatur Co., Indiana, in the household of his parents, John Hamilton Elder and Ella Cobb.16 He appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Marion Twp., Decatur Co., Indiana, in the household of his parents.17

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, Indiana.18,19,20 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.21
     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 1864.22,23,24

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., Indiana, with Rev. S. D. Robinson offciating.9,10
     Dyer worked on the family farm as a child, and continued as a farmer after the war.25,26
     Dyer and Joanna appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Newpoint, Decatur Co., Indiana, enumerated 29 Jun 1870, reporting real estate valued at $500. Their children Louella and John were listed as living with them.27
     Dyer opened a blacksmith shop in Greensburg 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.28,29,30
     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 1912.31,32
     Dyer and Joanna appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Greensbrug, Decatur Co., Indiana, 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.33

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.34,35 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.36,37,38
     Dyer and Joanna appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Greensbrug, Decatur Co., Indiana, at 205 East Washington St., enumerated 22 Jun 1900, reporting that the family owned its home. Their children Margaret and Mary were listed as living with them.39
     Dyer and Joanna appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Greensbrug, Decatur Co., Indiana, at 515 East Washington St., enumerated 15 Apr 1910, reporting that the family owned its home. Their children John and Margaret were listed as living with them.40
     By 1910 he was a deputy oil inspector for the government.41
     Dyer died on 2 Jul 1912 in Greensburg, Decatur Co., Indiana, at age 69.11,12,13 He was buried on 4 Jul 1912 in South Park Cemetery, Greensburg, Indiana.14,15

Children:
     Children with Joanna Masten:

  • Louella Elder42,33,43 (21 Feb 1868 - 20 Jul 1930)
  • John Clay Elder42,33,43 (12 Feb 1870 - 26 Oct 1931)
  • Addie Belle Elder33,43,44 (24 Apr 1872 - 27 Jun 1881)
  • Margaret Pearl Elder33,39,43 (9 Sep 1874 - 17 Dec 1915)
  • Mary Kathleen Elder39,43,45 (14 Mar 1886 - 4 Apr 1962)

Citations

  1. [S1584] John H. Elder household, 1850 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows name as Dyer C. Elder.
  2. [S11432] "Soldier, Councilman, Fire Chief, Township Trustee, County Treasurer, Deputy Oil Inspector," Greensburg Standard, 3 May 1907, shows name as Dyer Cobb Elder.
  3. [S11335] Dyer C. Elder, Certificate of Death.
  4. [S1584] John H. Elder household, 1850 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows them apparently living as parent and child.
  5. [S1573] John H. Elder household, 1860 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows them apparently living as parent and child.
  6. [S1584] John H. Elder household, 1850 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows age 7 and state.
  7. [S11432] "Soldier, Councilman, Fire Chief, Township Trustee, County Treasurer, Deputy Oil Inspector," Greensburg Standard, 3 May 1907, shows date and township.
  8. [S11335] Dyer C. Elder, Certificate of Death, shows date and county.
  9. [S1938] Marriage Records, Decatur Co., Indiana, 2:94, Dyer C. Elder and Joanna Masten, shows date, county, state, and officiant.
  10. [S1571] Dyer Elder household, 1870 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows them apparently living as husband and wife.
  11. [S11335] Dyer C. Elder, Certificate of Death, shows date, city, county, and state.
  12. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 37072230, Dyar Cobb Elder, shows year and includes tombstone photo showing same.
  13. [S11405] Elder, Pension Payment Cards, shows date.
  14. [S11335] Dyer C. Elder, Certificate of Death, shows date and city.
  15. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 37072230, Dyar Cobb Elder, includes tombstone photo.
  16. [S1584] John H. Elder household, 1850 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana.
  17. [S1573] John H. Elder household, 1860 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana.
  18. [S11079] "Indiana Archives Digital Index Records," , muster roll card record for Elder C. Dyer, shows date, as 28 Aug 1861, city and state, company and regiment.
  19. [S1159] "American Civil War Soldiers," Ancestry.com, record for Dyer C. Elder of Decatur Co., Indiana, shows rank, regiment, and enlistment date, as 13 Sep 1861.
  20. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 37072230, Dyar Cobb Elder, includes tombstone photo showing company and regiment.
  21. [S1158] "U.S. American Civil War Regiments, 1861-1866," Ancestry.com, 7th Infantry Regiment IN, citing The Union Army, vol. 3, gives history of the regiment.
  22. [S1159] "American Civil War Soldiers," Ancestry.com, record for Dyer C. Elder of Decatur Co., Indiana, shows termination date and date and place of wound.
  23. [S11079] "Indiana Archives Digital Index Records," , muster roll card record for Elder C. Dyer, shows final date, as 20 Sep 1864, and wounds.
  24. [S11432] "Soldier, Councilman, Fire Chief, Township Trustee, County Treasurer, Deputy Oil Inspector," Greensburg Standard, 3 May 1907, shows wounded and hospitalized.
  25. [S11432] "Soldier, Councilman, Fire Chief, Township Trustee, County Treasurer, Deputy Oil Inspector," Greensburg Standard, 3 May 1907.
  26. [S1571] Dyer Elder household, 1870 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows occupation as farmer.
  27. [S1571] Dyer Elder household, 1870 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana.
  28. [S11432] "Soldier, Councilman, Fire Chief, Township Trustee, County Treasurer, Deputy Oil Inspector," Greensburg Standard, 3 May 1907, shows date, and hiring Lynn.
  29. [S11420] A Genealogical and Biographical Record of Decatur County Indinana, pg 243, shows opened blacksmith shop, city, for 26 years.
  30. [S1565] D. C. Elder household, 1880 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows occupation as blacksmith.
  31. [S11405] Elder, Pension Payment Cards, shows amounts and dates.
  32. [S11404] Elder, Civil War Pension Index, shows date and application and certificate numbers.
  33. [S1565] D. C. Elder household, 1880 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana.
  34. [S11420] A Genealogical and Biographical Record of Decatur County Indinana, pg 243, shows trustee 1882-1886, fire chief 12 years, city council 4 years.
  35. [S11432] "Soldier, Councilman, Fire Chief, Township Trustee, County Treasurer, Deputy Oil Inspector," Greensburg Standard, 3 May 1907, shows trustee 1862 for 4 years, fire captain, councilman 1865 two terms.
  36. [S11420] A Genealogical and Biographical Record of Decatur County Indinana, pg 243, shows dates.
  37. [S11432] "Soldier, Councilman, Fire Chief, Township Trustee, County Treasurer, Deputy Oil Inspector," Greensburg Standard, 3 May 1907, shows elected 1898 and defeated 1900.
  38. [S1559] Dyar C. Elder household, 1900 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows occupation as ex-treasurer.
  39. [S1559] Dyar C. Elder household, 1900 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana.
  40. [S1164] Dyer C. Elder household, 1910 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana.
  41. [S1164] Dyer C. Elder household, 1910 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows occupation as deputy oil inspector - government.
  42. [S1571] Dyer Elder household, 1870 U.S. Census, Decatur Co., Indiana, shows them apparently living as parent and child.
  43. [S11516] Montgomery, A Genealogical History of the Montgomerys, pg 121.
  44. [S11415] Addie Elder obituary, The Indianapolis News.
  45. [S11412] Mary K. Willard, Certificate of Death.