Husband Matthew Elder 1 2
Born: Jan 1788 - Parish of Finvoy, County Antrim, Ireland 1 2
Christened:
Died: 1863 1 2
Buried:
Father: John Elder (1756- ) 2
Mother: Mary Elder ( - ) 2
Marriage: 15 Sep 1815 - New Lisbon, Columbiana Co, OH 1
Wife Mary Frederick 1
Born: 25 Aug 1797 3
Christened:
Died: 1863 1
Buried:
Father: Thomas Frederick ( - ) 1
Mother:
Children
1 M John R. Elder 3
Born:
Christened:
Died: Aft 1888
Buried:
2 F Margaret Ann Elder 3
Born:
Christened:
Died: Aft 1888
Buried:
Spouse: John Taggart ( -Bef 1888) 3
3 M Thomas F. Elder 3
Born: 27 Jul 1820 - New Lisbon, Columbiana Co, OH 3
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Spouse: Euphemia L. Scroggs ( - ) 3
Marr: 1844 3
Spouse: Mary A. Parrett (1828- ) 3
4 F Matilda Elder 3
Born:
Christened:
Died: Aft 1888
Buried:
Spouse: William Sterling ( -Bef 1888) 3
5 F Mary Jane Elder 3
Born:
Christened:
Died: Bef 1888 - New Castle, Lawrence Co, PA
Buried:
Spouse: Daniel H. Wallace ( - ) 3
6 F Elizabeth Catharine Elder 3
Born:
Christened:
Died: Bef 1888 - Darlington Twp, Beaver Co, PA
Buried:
Spouse: Walter D. Sprout ( - ) 3
7 F Hannah Elder 3
Born:
Christened:
Died: Bef 1888
Buried:
Spouse: Did Not Marry
8 F Rebecca Elder 3
Born:
Christened:
Died: Aft 1888
Buried:
Spouse: Calvin F. Chamberlin ( -Bef 1888) 3
9 F Mary Elder 3
Born:
Christened:
Died: in childhood
Buried:
Spouse: Did Not Marry
10 M Matthew Elder 3
Born:
Christened:
Died: in childhood
Buried:
Status: Twin
Spouse: Did Not Marry
11 M Henry Elder 3
Born:
Christened:
Died: in childhood
Buried:
Status: Twin
Spouse: Did Not Marry
12 M Matthew Henry Elder 3
Born:
Christened:
Died: in childhood
Buried:
Spouse: Did Not Marry
General Notes: Husband - Matthew Elder
He was born in the parish of Finvoy, County Antrim, Ireland. In 1812 he came to America, and after working as a weaver in a woolen mill at Wilmington, Delaware, went to Columbiana County, Ohio. At the time of his marriage he was operating a woolen mill in New Lisbon, and so continued until the mill was destroyed by fire in 1820. The next year he built a factory on Little Beaver Creek, in Darlington township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, two miles below Cannelton; and while the factory was being built he ran a set of cards in the mill half a mile above the factory. This was in what was then called Little Beaver township. At that time they had to go to what is now called Old Enon to vote, and the nearest postoffice, Greersburg, was five miles away. The name of the town was changed to Darlington on account of letters addressed to Greersburg going to Greensburg. Then the township was divided and called Darlington, and what was left of Little Beaver township went into Lawrence County when that was formed. Mr. Elder did an extensive business and bought nearly all the wool grown in Beaver, Lawrence and Washington counties, Pennsylvania, and Columbiana County, Ohio. He possessed a considerable tract of land about the mill at one time. Between the years 1830 and 1840 he owned, remodeled and enlarged the grist mill and oil mill and bought wheat and flaxseed, which was a great advantage to the farmers at that time. Between the years 1841 and 1843 he dug a tail race three-quarters of a mile long, walled the same with stone on both sides. It was to gain a fall so that he could remodel and put in an overshot wheel; the cost of this was $10,000 or over. In 1844 he built a large brick store and dwelling, and in 1845 opened a store of general merchandise, which had the most extensive line of custom of any store in the country. He was a great admirer of fine horses, a passion which was characteristic of his descendants. His grandsons were engaged in breeding Clydesdale and coach horses, and also fine cattle and swine. In 1851 Mr. Elder again suffered from the fire-fiend, his mill being swept away. He at once rebuilt and continued to operate it until his death.
He attended strictly to his own business, and gave little attention to public affairs, his only service in that line having been to serve as judge or inspector of election in the township, which he could not avoid. He served as a director of the old United States Bank of Beaver County in New Brighton, before the administration of Andrew Jackson. He adhered to the Presbyterian faith, Associate branch, and voted with the Whig party and its Republican successor.
He was noted for his benevolence and hospitality, and was a benefactor to the poor and laboring. None ever sought work but got it if possible; if not and had not the means to travel further, he was provided with means. Neither man or beast ever went hungry away. In the busy season the table was rarely uncovered from noon until night, and more meals were served and horses fed than at a large majority of the hotels. He gave a home in his family to an old man named John McConnell, a distant relative from the same part of Ireland that Mr. Elder came from, and fed and clothed him for thirty years, and buried him. He also gave a home to a boy named Joseph Green, whom the poor board brought to him; he was of weak intellect, and Mr. Elder kept him also until his death, which occurred a few years before his own.