BIO: James ELDER, Dauphin County, PA

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http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/runk/runk-bios.htm
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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, pages 249-250. 
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  ELDER, JAMES, son of Robert R. and Sarah (Sherer) Elder, was born 
August 18, 1826, in Swatara township, Dauphin county, Pa.  His early 
years were spent on his father's farm.  At the age of twenty-four he 
removed to New Castle, Pa., where he engaged in mercantile business 
until the death of his father in 1858, when he returned, and with his 
brother Robert, purchased the homestead farm.  During the war for the 
Union Mr. Elder raised a company for the emergency.  In 1867 he 
embarked in the coal trade with a younger brother, withdrawing in 1869, 
and entered into partnership in the lumber business, in which he 
continued until failing health compelled him to relinquish all active 
pursuits.  He left the farm and took up his residence in the city of 
Harrisburg, where he died January 12, 1877, in his fifty-first year.  
Mr. Elder married, March 2, 1854, Rebecca O., daughter of John 
Whitehill, and their children were:  Catherine O., Robert R., Martha 
K., and Ida.