Elston - Isaac Compton I
ISAAC COMPTON ELSTON -- I
Source: Crawfordsville Journal, October 31, 1867
Died on the morning of the 24th of October, 1867, at his residence in this city, after an illness of but a few hours, Major Isaac C. Elston, Sen., at the age of seventy-three years. Major Elston was born at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, on the 8th of October, 1794. At the age of six years, he removed with his father to Syracuse, in western New York, where he continued to reside during his minority. Upon arriving at the years of manhood, moved by that enterprising spirit which has marked his whole life, he made his way westward, and for a few years lived at Vincennes, then one of the outposts of civilization. Some three years later, he moved to what is now known as Terre Haute, the country in that vicinity then being little less than a wilderness, relieved only by the occasional cabin of the new emigrant. Here he is engaged in the mercantile business, perhaps the earliest enterprise of the kind attempted at that place. In the fall of the year 1824, he settled with his family in Crawfordsville, where but half a dozen log cabins indicated that a village had begun. Here he again engaged in the mercantile business, and the early pioneers who were his contemporaries will remember the force and energy which he brought to hear in the prosecution of his business, and his kind and generous department toward friends and acquaintances in those early days of our history. Some forty eight years since he connected himself with the Masonic fraternity, of which he was an active member aiding in carrying out the benevolent purpose of the Order. About the year 1827, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, under the ministry of that eminent and devoted servant of God, the late Rev. James Armstrong. His connection with the Church continued to the day of his decease, and his brethren will bear witness to the interest and zeal he ever manifested in the support of the ministry, and whatever related to the well being of the church of his choice. He was actively engaged in business pursuits in this place for some forty four years and although he was careful in looking after his pecuniary interests, yet none will be able to call to mind a single instance where he has shown himself exacting or oppressive. His fellow citizens owe much of their natural prosperity to the force and energy with which he has sustained the public enterprises of the day, few of which have succeeded without having been in some measure, indebted to his aid and encouragement, and now will have forgotten that to his active and untiring efforts, we are mainly indebted for the establishment of the first railroad communication with this place, an era from which dates its present propriety. Those who have had the pleasure of his acquaintance, and enjoyed his friendship through these years will remember his kind and genial, his generous attachment to his friends, his courteous affable, deportment to all and will realize that a kind hearted man, and valued citizen has passed from our midst. But they who most keenly feel this inflictive Providence are those of his own household. The lose and affectionate husband and father, the most loved and trusted of earthly friends. Yet there remains to them the comforting assurance that he has passed to a better inheritance.
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Source: Indianapolis Herald 25 October 1867
A brief dispatch from Crawfordsville, announces the sudden end unexpected death of Major Isaac C. Elston, at that place, on yesterday morning, at five o'clock. A gentleman Informs us that he saw him the evening previous, buoyant in spirits, and apparently In excellent health. Major Elston had reached the ripe age of seventy-four years, yet his mind was as clear and active, and his physical energy as vigorous as the most of men In the meridian of life. He was one of the oldest citizens In the Wabash Valley, and was widely known and appreciated for his Integrity, enterprise, public spirit, and genial qualities. Major Elston was a sagacious business man, and by energy and Industry had accumulated a handsome estate. For several years past, In connection with his son in law, Hon.. Henry S. Lane, (another of whom Is General Lew Wallace,) he had been engaged in the private banking business at Crawfordsville. In politics, Major Elston was an unswerving Democrat. For many years he attended the State conventions of that party, and was a delegate to the Charleston convention In lUM. He never sought public positions, and was content to live his Influence and efforts as a private In the ranks to the maintenance of those principles which he believed to be essential to the welfare of the people, and the perpetuity of the Government. Major Elston, through his long and useful career, ever Identified himself with the public enterprises Intended to promote the material and moral welfare of his section of the State, and his sound Judgment and business sagacity contributed largely to their success. A good man and valuable citizen has gone to bis final rest, and his death will not only cause a void In his family circle, but In the community where for many years his usefulness and enterprise were widely and beneficially felt.
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