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Civil War - Civil Union:
Chapter 5: Silas David Elderkin (1869 - 1956) |
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Homepage Civil War-Civil Union Introduction Prologue: 1600s-1842 Chapter 1: 1842-1862 Chapter 2: 1862-1863 Chapter 3: 1863-1882 Chapter 4: 1883-1912 Chapter 5: 1912-on Conclusion Bibliography Descendancy Chart (to come) For Questions or
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Silas had difficulties finding his place in life. He was one of the first of Mary and David’s children to head out to Montana in the 1890s, and he never stayed long in one place. In 1900, he owned a house in Deer Lodge, Montana,[i] in 1902 he was a driver for Montana Steam Laundry in Butte,[ii] in 1906 he was a clerk at the Arizona Meat Market,[iii] in 1907 he was a clerk for M. Thompson & Co.,[iv] in 1909 he moved to Anaconda, Montana,[v] and in 1910 he was building houses in Gallatin County, Montana.[vi] In the 1920 U.S. Census, Silas David Elderkin is enumerated three different times – as a house carpenter in Gum Pond, Arkansas,[vii] living with his mother in Cedar Falls,[viii] and farming near Finchford, Iowa.[ix] At this time he was 51 and unmarried. Silas also became quite religious, to the point of worrying his family. He went door-to-door preaching the gospel until his brother Amos warned him to stop.[x] This all must have worried their mother, Mary. In 1932, Mary amended her will. Instead of directly bequeathing the house, its contents and monetary inheritance to Silas, she established a trust with Amos as executor.[xi] After Mary died, Amos distributed Silas’ share of the inheritance to pay for house repairs. Finally, in 1945, with the funds expended, Amos conveyed the real estate to Silas.[xii] By this time, at the age of 67, Silas had married Bessie Hugh, who was 33 years his junior.[xiii] They wed in 1937, and went on to have four sons after Silas turned 69: one who died in infancy and three others still living in 2003. Despite declining health over the years, Silas lived to the age of 85.[xv] The Elderkin legacy lives on in Cedar Falls. Today Silas’ youngest son lives in a new house built on the property.[xvi]
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[i]
1910 U.S. cens., Anaconda Township Deer Lodge County, MT, p. 3A, line 6.
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