Elias Davidson Flora

Narrative:

     Elias Davidson Flora was born on 4 Aug 1836 in Pennsylvania.^7,8,9
     He was probably the male under age 5 listed in the household of his father, George Flora, in the 1840 Federal Census of Air Twp., Bedford Co., Pennsylvania.¹¹ He appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of McConnellsburg, Fulton Co., Pennsylvania, in the household of his parents, George Flora and Rebecca Simpson.¹²
     Elias was named executor and an heir in the will of George Flora, his father, dated 19 Jan 1858, to receive, after the death of their mother, an equal share with his brother Joseph of the proceeds from the sale of all their father's property.⁴
     He appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of McConnellsburg, Fulton Co., Pennsylvania, in the household of his parents.¹³ His occupation was listed as a clerk.¹⁴
     Elias was a private in Capt. William W. Sellers company of the Pennsylvania Militia of 1862. The unit was organized 14 Sep 1862, and discharged 25 Sep 1862.¹⁵ He registered for the draft for the Civil War, appearing on the register dated on 31 Jul 1863, while living in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, reporting he was employed as a clerk.¹⁶
     Elias moved to St. Louis, Missouri, by 1869, when he was a clerk for Henry Bell & Son, a wholesale dry goods and notions company.^17,18 He may have arrived by way of Springfield, Illinois, as an Edward D. Flora, salesman for W. K. & A. A. Dewey appears in the 1866 city directory there.¹⁹ By the following year he was a salesman at the company, and was living at 820 Washington.²⁰
     Elias has not been found in either the 1870 or 1880 census, perhaps because he moved so often, generally within a few block area. Between 1871 and 1881 the city directory listed him with no fewer seven addresses, often listed a boarding there, and the list is probably not complete. They included 816 Locust St.²¹, 1010 Olive St.²², 1000 Locust St.²³, the Everett House at 2639 Olive St.²⁴, 1605 Washington Ave.²⁵, 209 N. 8th St.²⁶, 1208 Washington Ave.²⁷
     At some point, apparently after leaving Pennsylvania, he began using the first name Edward. The first record found using this name was in 1872, unless the Springfield listing is in fact him, but earlier records in St. Louis show him as E. D. Flora so it is not clear which first name he was then using.^28,29
     Elias bought from his brother Joseph his interest in the property inherited from their father in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, on 27 Feb 1873. The property included four lots of one-quarter acre each at Market and 3rd Sts., as well as any personal property belonging to the estate. Elias also released his claim against the estate for "a large sum of money" for debts he had paid. He received $400 from his brother in payment.³⁰ Elias owned his brother a note for $400, which he repaid to his executor, along with $32 with interest.³¹
     About 1873 he became a salesman for Dodd, Brown & Co., another dry goods and notions wholesale firm. He worked for them until at least 1881.³² By 1884 he had become a salesman for the St. Louis Cotton Factory, and was boarding at in 1360 Washington Ave.³³ By 1887 he had become a manufacturer's agent, with offices at in 625 Locust St.³⁴ and was living, at 1431 Lucas Pl.³⁴
     About 1889 he became the proprietor of a tobacco shop, at 508 Olive St., which he operated until at least 1897.³⁵ He was recorded as living at 3539 Page Ave. in 1891³⁶, at 3842 Page Blvd. in 1895, and at Larimore Station in 1897.³⁷
     About 1898 Edward moved out of the city and took up farming.³⁸
     Elias appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of St. Ferdinand Twp., St. Louis Co., Missouri, enumerated 12 Jun 1900, reporting he owned his farm, which was mortgaged. His occupation was listed as fruit farmer. Frank Silver, a 43-year-old laborer on the farm, was listed as living with him.³⁹
     By 1908 he had returned to the city and was again the owner of a cigar store. That year he was living at 6105 Easton Ave.⁴⁰ By 1910 both the store and his residence were at 1660 South Jefferson Ave.⁴¹
     Elias appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of St. Louis, Missouri, at 1660 South Jefferson Ave., enumerated 16 Apr 1910, reporting he was renting his home.⁴² He remained in business there until about 1915.⁴³
     About 1916 he became a resident at Memorial Home, a shelter for the indigent aged operated by the Women's Christian Association, where he remained until his death. The facility, its core a grand Greek Revival style building was originally the home of Rene Beauvais, a prominent St. Louis silversmith and watchmaker, is a city landmark now called Beauvais Manor on the Park.^44,45
     Elias appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of St. Louis, Missouri, at 2609 S. Grand Ave., enumerated 10 Jan 1920, as an inmate at Memorial Home.⁴⁶
     Elias died on 5 Feb 1929 in 2609 S. Grand Ave., St. Louis, Missouri, at age 92, where he was a resident.¹⁰ He was buried on 7 Feb 1929 in St. Mathews Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri.¹⁰