Biography of William Elson, Vol. II, pages 592.  Presidents, Soldiers, 
Statesmen; H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, New York, Toledo, and Chicago, 1894.

William Elson

Is a resident of DeKalb county, Ind., where he settled in 1863, having been 
born in Wayne county, Ohio, March 31, 1842.  He was farming in his adopted 
county, when at the age of 21, he enlisted at Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 22, 
1864, as a private in Co. H, 30th Ind. V. I., 3rd Brig., 1st Div., 4th A.C. 
June 1, 1864, at the battled of Big Shanty, he was shot in the left foot. 
Was taken to the hospital at Chattanooga, where he remained two weeks, was 
then transferred to Nashville, and remained there four weeks.  In August, 
1864, he was furloughed for thirty days, the time being afterward extended 
another thirty.  May 20, 1865, he was transferred at Indianapolis, Ind., to 
Co. C, 17th Regt., V.R.C.  In the spring of 1864, he was appointed at 
Bridgeport, Tenn., to unload baggage train. At Fort Wayne, Ind., in April, 
1865, he was ordered to arrest a man and woman for the murder of Lincoln.  
He took part in the battles of Blue Springs Valley, Big Shanty, Tunnel 
Hill, Buzzard's Roost, Pine Mt., Dalton, Reseca and many skirmishes and 
minor engagements, receiving his honorable discharge at Indianapolis, 
Ind., Nov. 13, 1865.  Mr. Elson is a son of Thomas and Anna (Baker) Elson, 
both deceased.  Nov. 24, 1865, he was married at Indianapolis, Ind., to 
Hattie Austill, daughter of John and Cloe (Herrington) Austill, both 
deceased, who was born in Jackson county, Ala.  Their children are John, 
Charles and Olive.  Of his brothers, David, was in the 142d Ohio, died in 
the spring of 1866, at Wooster, Ohio.  Richard was a member of the 16th 
O.V. I., was shot in the thigh; now resides at Wooster, Ohio; Hiram, in 
the 120th O.V. I, was in Andersonville one year.  The wife's father was in 
the Mexican War, also in Florida War.  At Milford, Ind., the re-union on 
April 14, 1892, of the 30th Ind. V.I., adopted Miss Olive Elson, as 
daughter of the regiment. She is an accomplished elocutionist, and visits 
most of the re-unions taking an active part.  Mr. Elson is a pensioner, is 
a member of DeLong Post, No. 67, being and officer in the same.  His wife 
is a member of the W.R.C.  Our comrade is a farmer and his address is 
Auburn, DeKalb Co., Ind.

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