J. C. ELDER, Jr., Crittenden County, was born in Equality, Gallatin Co., Ill., August 24, 1847. Dr. J. C. Elder, the father of subject, was born in what is now Crittenden County, then Livingston County, Ky., January 12, 1819. He was a son of David and Eleanor (Dickey) Elder. His father was born in North Carolina, his mother in South Carolina. John Elder, the father of David, was a soldier in the Revolution, as was also four of his brothers, two of whom were killed in the conflict. In 1791 David and Eleanor Elder came to Kentucky and settled two miles south of the present site of Marion. There David bought 400 acres, which he subsequently divided among his children, and there he died June 24, 1832. J. C. Elder, Sr., grew up in Crittenden County and remained there until he was seventeen. He then moved to Gallatin County, Ill., and settled on a farm twelve miles north of Shawneetown. At the age of twenty-three he commenced studying medicine under Dr. E. H. Holman, of Equality, Ill.; he read with him two years. In 1847 he came to Dycusburgh, Crittenden County, where he remained until January, 1848. He then settled four miles southwest of Marion, where he still resides. He owns a tract of land of 162 acres, with about 150 acres in cultivation. He remained actively engaged in the practice of his profession until 1880. Since that time he has been living a retired life. In 1870 he began milling and followed it until 1881. He was married December 8, 1843, to Miss Mary Ann Stinson, daughter of Andrew and Catherine (McCallister) Stinson; the father was born in North Carolina, the mother in Scotland. Mrs. Elder was born in Crittenden County, August 26, 1823, and is the mother of ten children, of whom six are now living: J. C., Jr., Marzilla (wife of W. R. Jacobs), Mary E., Julia (wife of W. T. Belt), Martha C. and Charles. J. C. Elder, Sr., is a member of the Northern Presbyterian Church. He has served as deputy sheriff and county judge; he was a soldier in the late war. He enlisted in the Twentieth Kentucky Infantry, United States army, but was subsequently detailed as quartermaster. He was soon, however, taken sick and resigned. He was afterward detailed as surgeon in several engagements. J. C. Elder, Jr. (subject), was educated at Shawneetown, Ill., and Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He remained on a farm until nineteen, and then began clerking for D. Woods, at Marion. He remained with him five years. He next clerked for J. McKee Peebles, at Shawneetown, Eldorado, and Spiller & Hall, Lebanon, Mo. In 1880 he returned to Marion and embarked in the tobacco business, first in partnership with Walker, Wilson & Co.; in 1883 he succeeded to the management of the firm, and is now engaged by himself in purchasing and rehandling tobacco. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church South. In 1877 he ran for county clerk on the Republican ticket, and lacked but two votes of being elected, the Democratic party being then the dominant party.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 727-728.