Pike Township Family Stories
JOHN ELSWORTH ELDER
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, page 209
By Frances ElderJohn Elsworth Elder was the first child of Alexander T. Elder and Ann Jane Hill Elder. He was born 29 April 1859 on a farm east of Nichols near Highway 22. The old two-story home is still standing [1984].
John Elder was married on 25 December 182 to Clara Ellen Shellabarger in Cedar township by Reverend Batty of Muscatine. About 20 March 1883 they farmed south of Nichols. They moved from the farm to the town of Nichols about 1920, and they lived in the house recently owned by Floyd A. Kirchner [1984].
John Elsworth Elder died on Mother’s Day, Sunday, 14 May 1933, with burial in the Nichols cemetery.
John Elder and Clara Shellabarger Elder were parents of five children: Earl Ray Elder, Charles Wesley Elder, Mary Ruth Elder, Icy Mable Elder (Icy died in her early years from an appendix infection and is buried in the Nichols cemetery) and Walter Freeman Elder.
Clara Ellen Shellabarger was born 3 September 1861 in Cedar township, Muscatine county, near Cranston, Iowa. She was a member of the Nichols Methodist church and an active member of the Ladies Aid society of that church. She also belonged to the Nichols Rebekah lodge. She died 11 March 1926. Funeral services were held at her home, and she was buried in the Nichols cemetery.
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Page created December 12, 2010 by Lynn McCleary