Biography of Richard Elson, D.D.S., page 867.  History of De Kalb County, 
Indiana.  Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.

Richard Elson D.D.S., Auburn, Ind., was born in Stark County, Ohio, Oct. 28, 
1839, a son of Thomas W. and Ann (Baker) Elson. When he was about a year old 
his parents moved to New Pittsburg, Wayne Co., Ohio, where he was reared, 
remaining with them till manhood.  In September, 1861, he enlisted at 
Wooster, Ohio, in company C, Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, and served till 1864.  
He participated in the battle of Cumberland Gap, and at the charge made at 
Chickasaw Bayou, near Vicksburg, by General Sherman, in December, 1862, was 
seriously wounded, and was sent to the hospital at Paducah, Ky,  After his 
recovery he was detailed Hospital Steward at St. Mark’s Hospital, Paducah, 
and remained there till discharged at the expiration of his term of service.  
While in the service he was commissioned Second Lieutenant of the Eighth 
United States Heavy Artillery by General Thomas, but declined to serve on 
account of poor health.  After his discharge he returned to New Pittsburg, 
and the following winter taught school.  In the spring of 1865 he came to 
Auburn and engaged in the drug business till 1868, when he began the study 
of dentistry under Dr. W.K. Simpson, and practiced at Auburn till 1883, 
when he took a course of lectures at the Indiana Dental College, 
Indianapolis, graduating as D.D. S., march 5, 1884.  While there he was 
appointed Demonstrator in the operative department. He is now permanently 
located in Auburn,,  where he is reaping the reward of a well-established 
professional reputation.  In April, 18567, he married Helen Alda Alling, 
of Auburn, a granddaughter of Wylys Griswold, on of the oldest pioneers of 
De Kalb County, by whom she was reared.  they have one son---Francis Alling, 
born June 21, 1870. Dr. Elson is a member of De Kalb Lodge, No 214, F. & 
A.M., and De Long Post, No. 67, G.A.R.  he and his wife are members of the 
Presbyterian church, of which he is one of the Board of Trustees.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com