Memorials › Emma Jane Cranston Elder

Emma Jane Cranston Elder

Oct 1853 – 23 Mar 1939

BirthOct 1853
Death23 Mar 1939
CemeteryMoss Ridge Cemetery
Carthage , Hancock County , Illinois , USA
Added byLori Boyer on 12 Apr 2022
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/197969678

Bio

Emma was the youngest child of William and Rose Ann Cranston, born in October 1853 in Clayton, Adams Co., Illinois. Emma has only a note or two attached to one of her father’s letters in this collection. At the age of 20, Emma married Civil War veteran, John C Elder on October 21, 1873. John Elder joined the 11th Illinois volunteers at age 16, serving in the Civil War until the end. He later was made 2nd Lieutenant of Co., G 8th Illinois further rising to Colonel of the regiment. After the war, he came to Carthage, Hancock Co., Illinois to attend Stratton & Bryant’s business college. Upon graduating, John first went to Clayton, Illinois to work with Col. Distin of Quincy in the grain and produce business. Here he met, courted and married Emma Cranston. After two years he returned to Carthage. He was involved in a succession of businesses; first, a successful grain merchant moving on to a partnership with E C Quinby, a clothier then he became a dry goods merchant. They had five children listed in his obituary as, Ethel Elder Mc Mahan of Oklahoma City), Earl Elder of Cochran Georgia, Alta Elder Lzicar of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, John Elder of St Louis later of Fellsmere, Indian River Co., Florida and Helen Elder Nockin of New York City. Col. John C Elder, died on Sept 11, 1917, in Carthage at age 71. Being only 27 months apart the youngest of the Cranston daughters, Emma and Anna seem to be close. Anna who writes of visiting Emma to see the new baby daughter, Helen shortly after she was born. Anna also travels with Emma’s daughter Alta and plans on taking her on a visit to see Timothy and his family. It is to Emma’s place that Anna goes to prepare for her wedding to Mr Busby. Then after the death of her first husband, Anna again returns to Carthage and Emma’s family in 1892. John Elder helps her with a job in his department store in the millinery department which inspires Anna to create her own millinery business. John Elder assisted Anna Cranston Busby in establishing her successful millinery business in Augusta, Illinois. By 1930 Emma was living in Fellsmere, Florida where her son, John Elder also lived. During her last illness, her daughter, Ethel and her husband were staying with her. She died in Florida March 23, 1939 age 85. Her ashes were returned to Carthage for burial in the Moss Ridge Cemetery

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