Person Page - 110

     Catherine Elder was born on 23 October 1874 at Pike Twp, Perry, OH.¹ She was the daughter of Jerome C. Elder and Catharine Meenan.¹

     Robert A. Elder was born on 15 March 1892 at Reading Twp, Perry, OH.² He was the son of Jacob Sharon Elder.^1,2

     Eligah Elder was born on 28 April 1815.¹ He was the son of Robert Elder and Susannah Haines.¹ Eligah Elder died on 1 October 1821 at age 6y 5m 3d, Perry, OH, at age 6.¹ He was buried after 1 October 1821 at Black's Meeting House Cemetery, Perry, OH.¹

     Jabez Elder was born on 24 December 1823.¹ He was the son of Robert Elder and Susannah Haines.¹ Jabez Elder died on 29 June 1825 at age 1y 6m 5d, Perry, OH, at age 1.¹ He was buried after 29 June 1825 at Black's Meeting House Cemetery, Perry, OH.¹

     Moses Elder was the son of Robert Elder and Susannah Haines.¹ Moses Elder was born on 21 April 1837 or 2 April 1837.¹ He was buried in December 1837 at Black's Meeting House Cemetery, Perry, OH.¹ He died on 11 December 1837 or 31 December 1837 at age 8m 9d, Perry, OH.¹

     Susannah Elder was born in 1841.¹ She was the daughter of Joel D. Elder and Elizabeth (Elisa) (?).¹ Susannah Elder died on 6 December 1845 at age 4y, Perry, OH.¹ She was buried after 6 December 1845 at Black's Meeting House Cemetery, Perry, OH.¹

     Job Elder was born on 29 July 1829.¹ He was the son of Robert Elder and Susannah Haines.¹ Job Elder died on 26 April 1850 at age 20y 8m 27d, Perry, OH, at age 20.¹ He was buried after 26 April 1850 at Black's Meeting House Cemetery, Perry, OH.¹

     Her married name was Elder.¹ Lucy Heck married Simeon Elder, son of Robert Elder and Susannah Haines.^1,2 Lucy Heck was born in 1842.¹ She was buried in 1921 at Old Zion United Brethern Church Cemetery, Perry, OH.¹ She died in 1921 at Perry, OH.¹

     Her married name was Elder.¹ Helen (?) married George Elder, son of James Elder and Mary Lynch.¹ Helen (?) was born on 12 January 1843.¹ She died on 17 January 1913 at Perry, OH, at age 70.¹ She was buried after 17 January 1913 at New Lexington Cemetery, Perry, OH.¹

     Johanna Livers married Nathaniel Elder, son of William Elder and Phoebe Sabina Wickham. Her married name was Elder. Johanna Livers was born in 1772 at MD.¹

     William Elder ended military service at Revolutionary War..⁵ He was born on 15 September 1729 at Goodwill, Prince George's, MD.^1,3,5 He was the son of William Elder and Ann Wheeler.^2,3,4 William Elder married Phoebe Sabina Wickham in 1752.^1,6 William Elder left a will on 28 January 1801 at written.⁵ He died in 1804 at Frederick, MD.^1,3,5 He left a will on 24 October 1804 at probated.

     Phoebe Sabina Wickham was born in 1731 at Prince George's, MD.¹ She married William Elder, son of William Elder and Ann Wheeler, in 1752.^1,2 As of 1752,her married name was Elder.¹ Phoebe Sabina Wickham died on 22 August 1786 at Cambria, PA.¹

     Her married name was Elder.¹ Julia A. (?) married Asbery Elder, son of Joel D. Elder and Elizabeth (Elisa) (?).¹ Julia A. (?) was born in 1849.¹ She was buried in 1925 at Old Zion United Brethern Cemerery, Perry, OH.¹ She died in 1925 at Perry, OH.¹

     Luzilla B. Elder was born on 21 August 1874.¹ She was the daughter of Asbery Elder and Julia A. (?).¹ Luzilla B. Elder died on 23 October 1890 at age 16y 2m 2d, Perry, OH, at age 16.¹ She was buried after 23 October 1890 at Old Zion United Brethern Cemerery, Perry, OH.¹

     Catherine "Kitty" Hughes was born at Frederick, MD.² Her married name was Elder.¹ She married James (Jacob) Elder, son of Charles Elder, on 7 May 1792 at Emmitsburt, Frederick, MD.^1,3 Catherine "Kitty" Hughes died in 1814 at Somerset, Perry, OH; or Frederick MD??¹

     Charles Elder was (an unknown value). He was born in 1798 at Frederick, MD.¹ He was the son of James (Jacob) Elder and Catherine "Kitty" Hughes.¹ Charles Elder married Elizabeth Lynch on 29 November 1823 at Zanesville, OH.¹ Charles Elder appeared on the census of 1850 at dwelling 87, Somerset, Perry, OH; Charles Elder, 54, Cab. Mkr, MD
Elizabeth Elder, 47, IRE
Sarah Elder, 20, OH [1830]
Ellen E., 17, OH
Martha, 15, OH
Charles, 11, OH
EF (fm), 4, OH
Loretta?, 2, OH
Mary Cullerton, 3, OH
John Martin, 18, Cabinet Maker, IRE.
He died on 8 December 1870 at Lancaster, Fairfield, OH.¹

     Elizabeth Lynch was born on 7 April 1803 at Meath, Ireland.¹ As of 29 November 1823,her married name was Elder.¹ She married Charles Elder, son of James (Jacob) Elder and Catherine "Kitty" Hughes, on 29 November 1823 at Zanesville, OH.¹ Elizabeth Lynch appeared on the census of 1850 in the household of Charles Elder at dwelling 87, Somerset, Perry, OH; Charles Elder, 54, Cab. Mkr, MD
Elizabeth Elder, 47, IRE
Sarah Elder, 20, OH [1830]
Ellen E., 17, OH
Martha, 15, OH
Charles, 11, OH
EF (fm), 4, OH
Loretta?, 2, OH
Mary Cullerton, 3, OH
John Martin, 18, Cabinet Maker, IRE.
Elizabeth Lynch died on 11 July 1890 at age 87.¹

     Mary Ann Elder was baptized at St. Joseph Church, Perry, OH; sponsors James Elder and Jane Lynch.² She was born on 16 February 1825 at Somerset, Perry, OH.¹ She was the daughter of Charles Elder and Elizabeth Lynch.¹

     Catherine Jane Elder was baptized in 1827 at St. Joseph Church, Perry, OH; sponsors Matthias Flowers and Mary Elder.² She was born on 4 April 1827 at Somerset, Perry, OH.¹ She was the daughter of Charles Elder and Elizabeth Lynch.¹

     Sarah Elizabeth Elder was born circa 1829 at Somerset, Perry, OH.^1,2 She was the daughter of Charles Elder and Elizabeth Lynch.¹ Sarah Elizabeth Elder appeared on the census of 1850 in the household of Charles Elder at dwelling 87, Somerset, Perry, OH; Charles Elder, 54, Cab. Mkr, MD
Elizabeth Elder, 47, IRE
Sarah Elder, 20, OH [1830]
Ellen E., 17, OH
Martha, 15, OH
Charles, 11, OH
EF (fm), 4, OH
Loretta?, 2, OH
Mary Cullerton, 3, OH
John Martin, 18, Cabinet Maker, IRE.

     Ellen E. Elder was born on 16 June 1831 at Somerset, Perry, OH.¹ She was the daughter of Charles Elder and Elizabeth Lynch.^1,2 Ellen E. Elder appeared on the census of 1850 in the household of Charles Elder at dwelling 87, Somerset, Perry, OH; Charles Elder, 54, Cab. Mkr, MD
Elizabeth Elder, 47, IRE
Sarah Elder, 20, OH [1830]
Ellen E., 17, OH
Martha, 15, OH
Charles, 11, OH
EF (fm), 4, OH
Loretta?, 2, OH
Mary Cullerton, 3, OH
John Martin, 18, Cabinet Maker, IRE.

     Martha Victoria Elder was born on 26 July 1834 at Somerset, Perry, OH.¹ She was the daughter of Charles Elder and Elizabeth Lynch.^1,2 Martha Victoria Elder appeared on the census of 1850 in the household of Charles Elder at dwelling 87, Somerset, Perry, OH; Charles Elder, 54, Cab. Mkr, MD
Elizabeth Elder, 47, IRE
Sarah Elder, 20, OH [1830]
Ellen E., 17, OH
Martha, 15, OH
Charles, 11, OH
EF (fm), 4, OH
Loretta?, 2, OH
Mary Cullerton, 3, OH
John Martin, 18, Cabinet Maker, IRE.

     Her married name was Dennis.¹ Maria Elinora Elder was born on 10 October 1836 at Somerset, Perry, OH.¹ She was the daughter of Charles Elder and Elizabeth Lynch.¹

     Charles Dominic Elder was born on 22 October 1838 at Somerset, Perry, OH.¹ He was the son of Charles Elder and Elizabeth Lynch.^1,2 Charles Dominic Elder appeared on the census of 1850 in the household of Charles Elder at dwelling 87, Somerset, Perry, OH; Charles Elder, 54, Cab. Mkr, MD
Elizabeth Elder, 47, IRE
Sarah Elder, 20, OH [1830]
Ellen E., 17, OH
Martha, 15, OH
Charles, 11, OH
EF (fm), 4, OH
Loretta?, 2, OH
Mary Cullerton, 3, OH
John Martin, 18, Cabinet Maker, IRE.

     Caroline Elder was born on 15 November 1840 at Somerset, Perry, OH.¹ She was the daughter of Charles Elder and Elizabeth Lynch.¹ Caroline Elder died before 1850; assumed from absence in 1850 census.

     Ann Elder was born on 9 December 1842 at Somerset, Perry, OH.¹ She was the daughter of Charles Elder and Elizabeth Lynch.¹ Ann Elder died before 1850; assumed from absence in 1850 census.

     Amelia Elder was born on 23 August 1845 at Somerset, Perry, OH.¹ She was the daughter of Charles Elder and Elizabeth Lynch.¹

     Her married name was Patredu.¹ Loretta Elder was born on 10 September 1848 at Somerset, Perry, OH.¹ She was the daughter of Charles Elder and Elizabeth Lynch.^1,2 Loretta Elder appeared on the census of 1850 in the household of Charles Elder at dwelling 87, Somerset, Perry, OH; Charles Elder, 54, Cab. Mkr, MD
Elizabeth Elder, 47, IRE
Sarah Elder, 20, OH [1830]
Ellen E., 17, OH
Martha, 15, OH
Charles, 11, OH
EF (fm), 4, OH
Loretta?, 2, OH
Mary Cullerton, 3, OH
John Martin, 18, Cabinet Maker, IRE.

     Edward J. Elder was born on 13 April 1850 at Somerset, Perry, OH.¹ He was the son of Charles Elder and Elizabeth Lynch.¹ Edward J. Elder died on 11 January 1868 at age 17.¹

     John Elder was (an unknown value). He and Mary Anna Snider PC Pioneers states Mary and John had 7 children.² John Elder was born on 11 August 1802 at Cambria, PA.¹ He was the son of James (Jacob) Elder and Catherine "Kitty" Hughes.¹ John Elder married Mary Anna Snider in 1833 at Somerset, Perry, OH; He may have first married Mary Magdalen ADAMS about 1762 in Littletown, PA. RJ.^1,3,4 John Elder was " UNITED STATES vs. JOHN ELDER

On Wednesday the 23d inst. this cause came on for hearing before the United States district Court in Columbus, on an indictment found by the Grand Jury against the Deft. for delaying, and willfully detaining, viet armis, a certain mail pack, not designed for his office, while officiating as Postmaster, on the 15th Dec. 1841, at Somerset, Ohio. --The indictment was procured on the testimony of Israel Hoge, Postmaster at Zanesville, 0., who testified in substance, that-- for certain reasons he enclosed two ten dollar counterfeit bills, and one fifty cent shinpiaster, in a letter or pack, sealed and mailed the same from
Zanesville west, for the purpose of laying a trap or snare for the Postmasters, on the western line, and then come on inthe stage to Somerset, --that after the driver stopped to exchange mails at the Post office kept by Deft., the driver proceeded west of the town to the bridge, stopped the stage, and witness opened the mail, when he found that the pack (trap) was missing. He then returned to Somerset, and reported a mail robbery, - that he called on Josiah Lovell Esq. who accompanied him to the office of Deft. when prosecuting witness asked Deft. if a pack had been detained in distributing the mail, not belonging to his office, on that day, -- that Deft. said there had not. This was the evidence on which the prosecution was based.

IN DEFENCE, Josiah Lovell Esq. testified, that he was called upon by prosecuting witness, in reference to the alleged robbery and went with him to the office of Deft., - that the prosecutor asked deft. if there had been any mistake made in the mail that day -- that deft. frankly replied, that
THERE HAD, THAT A PACK THAT OUGHT TO HAVE WENT TO LANCASTER BY MISTAKE WAS RETAINED,--that he deft., had mistook the endorsement for “Somerset,”--that the mail had come an hour earlier than usual,--that he was at dinner and came out in a hurry to make up and distribute the mail, and that he was hurried by the driver &c. --that prosecuting witness, asked for the pack which deft. delivered him, directed in a new envelope, to “Lancaster,”--that it was laying in the proper place--he saw it opened, the seal was unbroken, and it contained two $10 bills said to be counterfeit, and a fifty cent shinpiaster,- that the prosecuting witness had told him that he had enclosed the same, and put in the mail to entrap or ensnare, the deft. and that he had hurried the mail along an hour earlier than usual for that purpose, so that if he, deft., should make a mistake, it should not be rectified, until after the mail was gone. --that he stopped the stage west of Somerset, on the bridge, opened the mail, and found the package missmg.--that he returned to the village, and reported that he had CAUGHT DEFT. ThT A MAIL ROBBERY. -- that at the interview at the Post Office, deft, referred the prosecuting witness, to persons who were in the office at the time of the transaction, and who could give him, the declarations of him the deft., when the mistake occurred, that the prosecuting witness afterwards admitted to witness, that he called on the persons whose names were given him by the deft. and after hearing their version of the affair. he said he believed it was AN HONEST TRANSACTION in the deft.,--further stated, he had known deft. some 7 years and that he sustained a good character, &c.

WILLIAM E. FINK, stated he came into the Post office, at the time the mail arrived, on the day the offence should have been committed,--that deft. was at dinner,--came out in a hurry, opened the mail, and distributed it, during the whole of which time the driver was hurrying him, that he saw the pack in question, and took the endorsement to “Somerset,” that after the mail was gone,---deft. took off the wrapper, and observed that he was mistaken, that, THAT PACK should have gone on to Lancaster, that he laid the pack away in the desk. in the presence of himself and others.

JOHN RITCHEY, (Senator) had known deft. from a boy, had dealings with,--and believed him an honest man, and sustained a good character.

JACOB BRECHBILL. In answer to the question if he believed deft. to be an honest man? He did. Interrogated by the Court as to his answer,--that he believed deft. to be as honest as any man in the house or out of the house, had known him for 20 years.

SAMUEL MURDOCK,--was present, when prosecuting witness called at the deft’s office, as alluded to by Mr. Lovell, that prosecutor, asked deft, if there was a mistake in opening the mails, that day, deft. said there was. Interrogated by counsel if he knew Burroughs, a driver then in custody, on charge of robbing the mail,-- answered he did. Did he drive on the western route from Zanesville through Somerset, answered. he did for some two years previous, up to the time when the deft. was arrested. Did he know of Burroughs having certain keys in his possession, here counsel was interrupted -- that the testimony was improper &c. Deft. counsel remarked, that he only sought by this evidence to show that, others might have access to the mail as well as Postmasters, to offset some extraneous evidence that had been introduced, as to monies lost on that line, at this stage of the examination the Prosecuting Attorney entered a nolle prose qui, remarking that the evidence did not sustain the indictment, that it was useless to spend further time with it &c.

Thus ended a persecuting prosecution, which should never have disgraced a Court of Justice with its malevolent front. Our conclusions are drawn from the testimony as given which we have taken in substance from the Defendant who is responsible, if there is misstatement in the case. We think there is in this instance, as much rule- working, systematic maliciousness brought to bear, as could be exercised in the nature of the transaction. In giving the case to the public, we have been actuated from a sense of justice to the defendant, Mr. Elder, that the shadow of suspicion, might no longer linger over him, to tarnish his good name or blight a well earned reputation.

But while we applaud a faithful and fearless discharge of duty in an officer, we must condemn the means made use of to ensnare and ruin the defendant in this case, the solemnities of the oath of Office, do not impose dishonorable and minded finesse, in order to guard the trust confided to carry out its duty. The law regulating Postmasters, if we are rightly informed, requires them to keep an office, and in that office to perform certain duties, beyond its confines, he sustains the humble relation to the department, of aprivate citizen. This being the case, the enquiry naturally suggests itself; by what authority Mr. Hoge, could STOP THE MAIL ON THE PUBLIC HIGHWAY, unlock and examine its contents, after it had legitimately passed from his jurisdiction, through four Post Offices. Can he vainly hope, that this incredulous world will accord to him, for the part he bore in this transaction, merely that of an honorable and zealous disinterestedness for the public welfare? Can he be justified in setting a precedent that would inevitably involve in doubt and suspicion the character of those against whom suspicion had never dared to breathe her baleful slanders! Suspending on his ipse dixit, the personal liberty, and what is dearer by far, the reputation of his fellow citizens! Is it not a fearful stretch of privilege, to pursue such a plan even under the specious pretext of jealously for public interests, UNAUTHORIZED by PRECEDENT or LAW? One designing man, if this be sanctioned, might ruin the fairest fame, and break down the best fortified reputation! If a Postmaster be admitted to such unheard ofprivileges, then, it is only necessary for the infallible immaculate, to perpetrate robberies, by plundering and rifling the mails of their contents, and then follow them beyond the office of his victim, stop the mail, examine it in presence of his driver, declare the theft and on his testimony the guilt of the alleged offender would be fully confirmed.-- If Mr. Hoge did not outstep his privileges, by stopping the mail, and opening it on the highway, where no Post Office had been established, then why do other sections of the law require, the Post Office to be locked or otherwise secured, while mails are being opened and distributed and that they be only opened, and distributed in the presence of the Postmaster, and his deputy. But Mr. Hoge 18 or 20 miles from his office, is found under mysterious influences, exercising the functions of Postmaster, in another county that is to say, he is acting as a kind of locomotive Postmaster, doing what under some circumstances might entitle him to a less agreeable title. In what attitude, does Mr. Hoge, place himself before community, by stopping and opening the mail on the highway, outside of the privileges of his office! Alas! for the gallows of Hamon, it would not long have wanted its victim, if JOHN ELDER had been as well skilled in the finesse of low cunning as was the adroit loco-motive Postmaster. It will be recollected that Mr. Hoge testified when he called on the defendant, &c., told him there had been no mistake in distributing the mail that day. While Messrs Lovell, and Murdock, state that defendant told Hoge frankly, there had been a misstake and when defendant, refers Mr. Hoge to those present when it occurred, after seeing them & hearing their version of the affair, upon which he pronounced the defendant honest in the transaction, yet still, with sleepless vigilance, actuated by a zeal worthy of a better cause, he is found in the privy chamber of the Grand Jury, and thence confronting on the trial, the accused, until the Prosecuting Attorney himself; from a sense of Justice to Mr. Elder, in the midst of the examination, abandons the prosecution. If the resgesta of the case had involved a suspicion, then could the prosecuting witness plead an extenuation for the prosecution; but what does the evidence disclose? but innocence, made more innocent, by the inquisitorial fires of a malicious Pro secution. Secrecy, is the hand maid of guilt, yet this offence was committed in the presence of a number of witnesses, all of which were made cognizant of the affair at once, one of whom, testifies, he was misled in the direction of the pack, under the same impression with defendant, as to the place of its destination. In making the above comments we have no ill feelings to gratify towards Mr. Hoge -- holding ourselves ready at all times to render to him that justice we requ[ire for others. Our motto is “Let Justice[ be done if the Heaven’s should fall.”

[This last is, of course, the inscription over the doorway of the courthouse in Somerset and is to be read, “even if the heavens should fall.”] " in 1841 at Perry, OH.⁵ He appeared on the census of 1850 at dwelling 197, Somerset, Perry, OH; Elder, John, 60, Cabinet Maker, PA
Mary, 36?, MD
Samuel, 12, OH
Nicholas, 10, OH
Elizabeth, 6, OH
Catherine, 4, OH
William, 3, OH
Mary, 1, OH
Hines, John, 18, Cabinet Making, IRE

This family is next to Joseph Elder, wife Catherine (or Caroline) and family.
He died on 4 July 1862 at Somerset, Perry, OH, at age 59.^1,6 He was buried after 4 July 1862 at Holy Trinity Cemetery, Perry, OH.⁶