Fifth Generation

This page was updated by Mara French on 8/13/13. An asterisk (*) shows continuation of that line. Send any corrections or additions to this chart to marafrench@mindspring.com. Revisions: 2012, 2013.

Contents

Elben Home Page

William Elben of Ohio Home Page

Elben DNA Test Results

Maps of Maryland and Delaware

Early Elben Family in Maryland

Outline of Most Elben Families

Outline of William Elben

Bibliography

GENEALOGY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Also see the Sturtevant family at http://www.frenchfamilyassoc.com/ELBEN/Sturtevant.htm. As we find substantial data that shows this family connects with this Elben line, we will combine them; as for now, the DNA matches exactly, but the name was changed due to adoption.

Map of Ohio

Ohio Civil War Soldiers Index

Name	Infantry	Co.	Age	Rank	Mustered in	Mustered out
Elben, Max	6th Regiment, Ohio Cavalry	F&S
Elbin, George*	66th Regiment, Ohio Infantry	C	19	Private	8 Oct 1861	17 Mar 1865
Elbin, John	66th Regiment, Ohio Infantry	C	28	Private	4 Oct 1861
Elbin, Levi**	66th Regiment, Ohio Infantry	C	18	Private	8 Oct 1861
Elbin, Rufus	66th Regiment, Ohio Infantry	C	18	Private	4 Oct 1861	25 Dec 1864
Elbon, Harold F.	11th Regiment, Ohio Cavalry	F
Elbon, Hawlet F.	11th Regiment, Ohio Cavalry	F
Elbon, John H.	79th Regiment, Ohio Infantry	A

*Transferred into 124^th Company, 2^nd Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps
**Transferred into Veteran Reserve Corps

The Elben brothers George, John, Levi, and Rufus were sons of William Elben and Ruth Fowler.

On August 15, 1863, John Elben was re-enlisted into the 1st US Cavalry by Major M. A. Reno. His battles included Wilderness, Beaver Dam, Yellow Tavern, Chickahominy Bridge, Mechanicsville, Hari’s Shop, Old Church, Cold Harbor, Trevillian Station, Deep Bottom, Newtown, Shepherdstown, Smithfield, Opequaw, Winchester, Front Royal, Davis Fields, Waynesboro, Bridge Water, Woodstock, Edinburg and Cedar Creek.

The month of October 1861 was a month William & Ruth (nee Fowler) Elben would never forget... four of their sons march off to fight in the Union Army during the Civil War.

Fifth Generation

This generation includes only sons Reuben 4.1 and William 4.4 who had heirs.

Children of Reuben Elben and Delila, 4.1

5.1 Sarah Jane Elben, b. 1846, buried at the Souslin Cemetery, Licking Co., OH. You can barely distinguish “daughter of Reuben and Delila Elben”. She died at 8 years old. Her mother may have died giving birth to this child.

Children of Reuben Elben and Mary, 4.1

Putnam County, OH, was formed from old Indian territory on 1 Apr 1820. In 1830 the population of the entire county was 230.

5.2 Mary M. Elben, b. ca. 1849 in Pleasant, Putnam Co., OH. She is listed in the 1850 census of Pleasant, Putnam Co., OH, as 1 year old. Listed in the 1860 census of Pleasant, Putnam Co., OH.

5.3* Godfrey Elben, b. Apr 1850 in Pleasant, Putnam Co., OH. Godfrey m. Lottie M. (Charlottie) Hall in 1876. She was b. in 1860 in Iowa Co., IA, 10 years younger than Godfrey. They had 3 children: two daughters and one son. The son had only one daughter; therefore, the surname Elben comes to a close with this line. Godfrey died in 1911 and is buried in Iowa.

Census

Godfrey is listed in the 1850 census of Pleasant, Putnam Co., OH, as just born.

Listed in the 1860 census of Pleasant, Putnam Co., OH.

He is listed in the 1880 census of Marengo, Iowa Co., IA, married to Lottie, stating that his father was born in Pennsylvania and his mother in Ohio. He was a brick mason. They are listed with their 2 children, Mable and Orval.

In the 1900 census of Marengo, their name is spelled “Elbin” and they have another child, Blanch. This census states that they had 4 children altogether, perhaps a child was born before Mable or a child had died.

In the 1910 census, Godfrey must have been very ill and could have been hospitalized, as he died in 1911; however, his wife Lottie moved by 1910 to Loveland, Larimer Co., CO, with her youngest daughter, Blanche, who was 18. Godfrey was buried in Iowa.

In the 1920 census of Drake, Larimer Co., CO, Lottie was widowed and living with daughter Mabel.

In the 1930 census of Loveland, Larimer Co., CO, Lottie and Mabel were living with Edwin and Elizabeth Johnsons.

In the 1940 census, Lottie and Mabel live together in Loveland, Larimer Co., CO, 234 E. 4^th St.

Death

Godfrey d. 1911 and is buried at the IOOF Cemetery in Marengo, Iowa Co., IA.

5.4 Delila Elben, b. ca. 1853 in Pleasant, Putnam Co., OH. Listed in the 1860 census of Pleasant, Putnam Co., OH. She was named after her mother.

5.5 Aaron Elben, b. 10 Jun 1855 in Pleasant, Putnam Co., OH. Listed in the 1860 census of Pleasant, Putnam Co., OH. He is listed in the 1880 census of Pleasant, Putnam Co., OH, living with his mother, Mary who was 43, he was 23, and his sister Emma was 20. Aaron d. 14 Mar 1910 in Pleasant, Hancock Co., OH, and is buried at the Truro Cemetery in Columbus Grove, Putnam Co., OH. No heirs.

Gravestone below shows Mary, second wife of Ruben Elben, died Mar 3, 1906, aged 80 Y 11 D; therefore, b. 20 Feb 1826. Son Aaron Elben died Mar 14, 1910 aged 54 Y 9 M 4 D; therefore, b. 10 Jun 1855. Both are buried at the Truro Cemetery in Columbus Grove, Putnam Co., OH.

5.5 Emma D. Elben, b. 12 Apr 1860 in Pleasant, Putnam Co., OH. Listed in the 1860 census of Pleasant, Putnam Co., OH. She m. James William Latta. She is listed in the 1880 census of Pleasant, Putnam Co., OH, age 20, living with her brother Aaron and her mother Mary. They had daughter Blanche M. Latta who m. Baney. In the 1900 census of Monroe, Henry Co., OH, Emma was 38 and living with her husband William Latta, age 40, and their 3 children: Homer, Oscar, and Blance. In the 1910 census of Pleasant, Hancock Co., OH, Emma was 50 and living with her husband, William Latty, 60. Emma d. 13 Jul 1914 and is buried at the McComb Union Cemetery in McComb, Hancock Co., OH.

Children of William Elben Jr. and Ruth Ann Fowler, 4.4

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/5290030/person/6910974735

His family numbered nine children, 5 sons and 4 daughters, John; George; Levi; Rufus; Willis; Mary; Amanda; Annabel and Caroline.

5.7 Mary Elben, b. 1833 in Utica, Licking Co., OH, d. 1916 in Osage, KS. She m. Jacob Sillix/Sellic/Selix/Sillicks on 29 Sep 1853 at age 19 in Holmes Co., OH. They had the following children: William Thomas Sillix, b. 27 Jul 1855, Ellen, Lucy, Emma, Edward, Frank, and Maude. In the 1860 census of Vienna, Pottawatomie Co., KS, Mary was living with Jacob and their 3 children: William, Ellen, Lucy. By the 1870 census, they were in the same location with 3 more children: Emma F., Robert H., and Richard S. They moved to Topeka, Shawnee Co., KS, where she appears in the 1880 census with 7 Sillir children: Ellen 21, Lucy 20, Emma 18, Robert 15, Eddie 10, Frank 8, Maud 4. In this census, Mary states that both her parents were born in Ohio.

5.8* John Elben, b. 22 Feb 1837 in Utica, Licking Co., OH; some say he was born in Auglaize Co., OH. John d. 18 Feb 1916 and is buried at the Pioneer Cemetery, Salina, Utah. He m. Eliza Mary Perkins, 22 Mar 1872 in Cloverland, Vigo Co., IN. John was a farmer. They had son William Ernest Elben, who was a member of the Mormon Church. John stood 6’4” and was a civil engineer. She was born 26 May 1841 in Augusta, Bracken Co., KY, the dau. of Nicholas Summers Perkins and Sarah Jane “Sally” Bradford, and d. 9 Aug 1928 in Salina, Utah. They had son William Ernest Elben.

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/4539569/person/-1585333807

Eliza Mary Perkins Elben, 1857, age 16, and Eliza in 1895, age 54.

Marriage

John married Eliza Mary Perkins on 22 Mar 1872 in Cloverland, Vigo Co., IN. A year later William Ernest Elben was born in Cloverdale, their only child. They moved to Salina, Utah, and settled there.

Eliza Mary Perkins was b. 26 May 1841 in Augusta, Bracken Co., KY, and d. 9 Aug 1928 in Salina, Sevier Co., Utah, the dau. of Nicholas Summers Perkins and Sarah Jane “Sally” Bradford. Eliza was 3 months old when her mother, Sarah Jane Bradford Perkins, died in 1841. Her father seems to have placed the children with various sisters and it was probably Margaret Stroube who cared for Eliza. She was 9 years old when her father died in California. At the time her brother, Nicholas, chose to side with Rebel forces in Missouri in 1861, Eliza was 20 years old and living in Campbell Co., Kentucky. She was very caught up with the political excitement of the time. She later recalled taking the Union flag up the courthouse steps in Alexandria when no man would dare to for fear of retaliation by the Rebel elements in the county at the time. At this same time she overheard a group of Rebels plotting to steal 100 rifles and 1,000 rounds of ammunition from the Campbell county Arsenal. Eliza advised the Captain of the Home Guards, who made an immediate distribution of the weapons and ammunition, preventing a major incident from taking place. Blocking the Rebels from taking those weapons kept them from engaging in planned actions for three months. This particular group that plotted to steal them later engaged a Union Company at what is best discerned to be Claysville. Their captain, Eliza's brother-in-law "Zacky" Stroube, was knocked from his horse and killed.

John Elben was re-baptized and confirmed in the Church of Latter Day Saints on 18 Aug 1885 by his wife Eliza’s brother, Franklin Spencer (nee Nicholas Perkins) in Salina, Utah, and ordained to the Aronic Priesthood as Priest by Franklin Spencer on 16 Dec 1885 in Salina, Utah. Then ordained as an Elder by W. C. Murphy on 13 Mar 1887 in Salina, UT.

Eliza Mary Perkins was b. 26 May 1841 in Augusta, Bracken Co., KY, and d. 9 Aug 1928 in Salina, Utah, the dau. of Nicholas Summers Perkins and Sarah Jane “Sally” Bradford.

Son William Ernest Elben, b. 3 Jan 1873 in Cloverland, IN, d. 7 Oct 1942 in Salina, UT. He m. Margaret Harris on 5 Oct 1897 in Richfield, UT. She was b. 4 Jul 1877 in St. Paul, Minnesota and d. 25 Feb 1955 in Salina, UT, the dau. of Thomas H. Harris and Laura Wells Houghton. They had children Rufus, Ruth, Helen, and Laurel. Add these here: http://heritageplace.tripod.com/dat119.htm

Military – Civil War

He joined the 66^th OVI in 1861. Rufus, Levi, and George were captured at Chancellorsville when Stonewall Jackson rolled back the 11^th Corps. John later enlisted in the 1^st U.S. Cavalry for five years and was discharged at Ft. Lapwai, Idaho in 1868.

John enlisted as an American Civil War soldier, fighting for the Union, as did all of his brothers: George, Rufus, Levi, and Willis, plus another relative Max Elben and all in Ohio. Max was b. in 1828 and enlisted as a Saddler on 9 Oct 1861 in Company I, 6^th Cavalry Regiment Ohio, and discharged on 17 Sep 1862; his relationship is unknown.

During the Civil War, John served in Company D, 1^st U.S. Cavalry from 1861 to 1866 under Generals Phil Sheridan and Custer. He fought in battles at Wilderness, Beaver Dam, Yellow Tavern, Chickahominy Bridge, Mechanicsville, Hali’s Shop, Old Church, Cold Harbor, Trevillian Station, Deep Bottom, Newtown, Shepherdstown, Smithfield, Opequaw, Winchester, Front Royal, Davis Fields, Waynesboro, Bridge Water, Woodstock, Edingburg, and Cedar Creek, confirmed by E. V. Sumners, BVT. Lt. Colonel & Captain, 1^st Cavalry, Commanding Co. D. He was wounded twice, a bayonet in the side, then shot in the leg. His brother, Rufus, was a Prisoner of War at Andersonville, and lost his sight due to inhumane treatment there.

John stood 6’ 4” and was a civil engineer.

Census

1880 census of Florida, Parke Co., IN, John 43 was living with his wife Eliza M 39, stating that both his parents were born in OH. He was living with son William E. Elbin, age 7.

1900 census of Salina, Sevier Co., UT, John 63 and Eliza M. 59 were living alone, stating that they had married in 1872. He states both his parents were born in Ohio.

1910 census of Salina, Sevier Co., UT, John 73 and Eliza M. 68 were living alone, giving their name as “Ebben”.

Death

He died due to cancer of the stomach on 18 Feb 1916 and is buried at the Pioneer Cemetery, Salina, Sevier Co., Utah.

The 1882-1901 Licking County, OH, Death Records, Book 2, in Newark, OH, lists John Elben died March 6, 1892, age 85, in Fallsbury township, Alleghany Co., Maryland, a farmer. This calculates to him born 1807. This doesn’t quite calculate with the above unless it is another John, perhaps a brother to 1^st generation William. There is another John G. Elben or Ebken born ca. 1840 in Germany, arrived in the U.S. in 1866 and lived in 1920 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co., PA. He m. Minnie in Germany.

From: http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/t/a/f/Katie-A-Taft/GENE1-0042.html

5.9* George Elben, b. 14 Jun 1842 in Licking Co., OH, d. 20 Dec 1897, Shelbyville, Shelby, IL, and is buried at the Tower Hill Cemetery in Shelby Co., IL. He m. Sarah ca. 1866; she was b. 16 Jul 1841 in Logan Co., OH, and d. 13 Jan 1891 at 49 years, 5 months, and 28 days, and is buried at the same cemetery as George.

Military

He joined the 66^th OVI in 1861. Rufus, Levi, and George were captured at Chancellorsville when Stonewall Jackson rolled back the 11^th Corps.

George enlisted as an American Civil War soldier, fighting for the Union, as did all of his brothers: Rufus, John, Levi, and Willis, plus another relative Max Elben and all in Ohio. Max was b. in 1828 and enlisted as a Saddler on 9 Oct 1861 in Company I, 6^th Cavalry Regiment Ohio, and discharged on 17 Sep 1862; his relationship is unknown.

George received a Veteran Pension from the Ohio Infantry of Regiment 66, Company C.

Census

In the 1870 census of Audubon, Montgomery Co., IL, George was living with Sarah and their 3 children: William, John, Henry, and members of the Gingrey family: Louis, David, and Lucretia. George’s family must have been counted twice as they also appear living with the Smith Family and not the Gingrey family in another household.

In the 1880 census of Tower Hill, Shelby Co., OH, George was living with Sarah and his 5 children: William, John, Henry, Daniel, and George.

5.10 Levi Elben, b. 25 Mar 1844 (twin of Rufus) in Rocky Fort Hills, Licking Co., OH. He was a farmer and married, but apparently had no children, living in Champaign Co., OH. He owned a 56-acre farm in Jefferson township, Coshocton Co., OH. Levi is the only Elben listed in the Centennial History of Coshocton Co., OH. He d. 3 Apr 1923 in Brown Twp., Knox Co., OH.

Military

Levi enlisted as an American Civil War soldier on 8 Oct 1861 in Ohio, fighting for the Union, as did all of his brothers: George, John, Rufus, and Willis, plus another relative Max Elben and all in Ohio. Max was b. in 1828 and enlisted as a Saddler on 9 Oct 1861 in Company I, 6^th Cavalry Regiment Ohio, and discharged on 17 Sep 1862; his relationship is unknown.

He joined the 66^th OVI in 1861. Rufus, Levi, and George were captured at Chancellorsville when Stonewall Jackson rolled back the 11^th Corps.

At age 17, he enlisted for service in the Civil War becoming a member of company C, Sixty-sixth Ohio, Volunteer Infantry, joining the same 8 Oct 1861. He enlisted for three years’ service. He took part in the Battle of Chancellorsville, and on 1 May 1863 was taken Prisoner of War in Libby prison. He was later taken to Lincoln hospital in WEDC and upon the expiration of his term of service, he re-enlisted as a member of Company Sixty-Ninth, Second Battalion, Invalid Corps, and served for one year as an attendant in the hospital. At the end of that time, he was discharged on account of disability.

Levi Elben was of Coshocton Co., OH, listed in Co. C, 66^th O.V.I. on 13 Oct 1865, disabled and transferred due to heart disease and epilepsy.

In 1876 Levi was at the U.S. National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Knox Co., OH. He was discharged on 24 Apr 1879.

Levi received a Veteran Pension from the Ohio Infantry of Regiment 66, Company C.

Marriage

Levi m. Catharine Carroll in 1882; other records show 1878; she was b. 7 Mar 1841 in OH and d. 15 Aug 1908 in Coshocton Co., OH, and is buried at the Darling Run Cemetery in Nellie, Coshocton Co., OH.

Other notes not verified:

Levi Elben, b. 25 Mar 1844, Rocky Fort Hills, Licking Co., OH; d. 03 Apr 1923, Brown Twp., Knox Co., OH; m. (1) Catherine Walker, 20 Sep 1868; d. Jan 1869; m. (2) PHEBE DAVIS, 28 Jun 1879, Shelbyville, Shelby, IL; b. 1844; m. (3) Catherine Krull, 14 Nov 1881; b. Mar 1841, Ohio.

Written by William J. Bahmer, “Centennial History of Coshocton County, Ohio, Vol. II, Chicago, IL”: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1909, p. 97. Comment from the FFA: Comments on the article below: Levi’s father was not born in England, but more research is needed to find proof.

Census

In the 1880 census, Levi was living in Warsaw, Coshocton Co., OH, was single, age 36, living with the Phillips family.

In the 1900 census, Levi was living in Jefferson, Coshocton Co., OH, married to Catharine Carroll for 18 years, since 1882. He states that both his parents were born in Ohio. Catharine d. on 15 Aug 1908 and does not appear in the 1910 census. In 1900 Levi was living with his stepson William Styer age 36 (son of Catharine Carroll), and another stepson Benjamin Hector age 30 (son of Catharine Carroll), and a servant, Margret Baker, age 80.

In the 1920 census, he was 75 years old and living in Brown twp., Knox Co., OH, in the home of Jacob and Margaret Mosher and Levi is widowed and is listed as “uncle”. This would indicate that Levi

Death

He is buried at the Darling Run Cemetery in Nellie, Coshocton Co., OH. Attached is the death certificate of Levi Elben showing his father as William Elbin and his mother as Ruth Fowler.

Below is the death certificate of Levi Elben, brother of Rufus Elben: He died in Brown, Knox Co., OH, as a widower of Catherine Elbin. He d. 3 Apr 1923 of cerebral apoplexy (stroke). He was b. 20 Mar 1844 in Licking Co., OH, and like his father, he died at age 79. He was a farmer. He states his father as William Elbin and his mother as Ruth Fowler, both birthplaces unknown.

5.11* Rufus Elben, b. 25 Mar 1844 (twin of Levi) in Utica, Licking Co., OH, d. 25 Feb 1907 in Herrick, Shelby, IL, and is buried at the Myers Cemetery in Shelby, IL. Rufus means “red haired”, a nickname for William II of England due to his red hair. His son, Samuel, had red hair.

Rufus Elben, born 25 May 1844, Utica Licking Co. Ohio, died 25 Feb 1907. The son of William Elben Jr and Ruth Ann Fowler. He married #1 Isabelle Shaffer and they had son Samuel Elben , b 30 nov 1865 Licking Co. died 16 Oct 1948 San Jose CA. He married #2 Darthenaz Matthews, b 30 Aug 1864 Shelby Co. ILL. on 27 Apr 1882 Shelby Co. ILL.She was born in Edwards County ILL. They had 6 children.

A Civil war soldier, he enlisted 10 April 1861, a Pvt with Co. C. Ohio 66th Inf Reg, mustered in 4 Oct 1861 and mustered out 25 Dec 1862 at Savannah GA. He was admitted to a US National disabled veteran home at Mt Vernon Ohio, as b abt 1844, in 1881. He was 37 years old at admission in Dayton, Montgomery or Greene Co., OH.

Marriage

Rufus m1. Isabelle Shaffer ca. 1864 and had one son with this first wife, Samuel, b. 30 Nov 1865. Isabelle was born 1845 in Morgan, Ashtabula, OH. Rufus and Isabelle divorced and she m2. Morgan J. Moates or Moats in 1876. Apparently she deserted Rufus and we are not sure who took care of son Samuel. We cannot find Rufus, Isabelle, nor Samuel in the 1870 census. However, John Morgan Moats is 27 years old, b. 1843 in OH, living in Mary Ann, Licking Co., OH, with his parents and siblings – no listing for Isabelle in the household. By the 1900 census of Perry, Licking Co., OH, Isabell and Morgan state that they married in 1876 and had been married for 24 years. They had children Mary E. Moats 21, James W. Moats 19, Nettie J. Moats 14. In the 1880 census, Isabel J. Moats is 34 (b. 1846), John Morgan Moats (b. 1843) is 36, and they are living in Mary Ann, Licking Co., OH, with his parents, James Moats 66 and Jerimah Moats 56. By this 1880 census, Isabel and John Morgan Moats had 1 daughter, Mary E. Moats, age 1. Isabelle was awarded a divorce and custody of Samuel. Rufus moved to Shelby, IL, married, and had 7 children.

Rufus m2. Dortha or Darthenaz Mathews 27 Apr 1882 in Herrick, Shelby, IL, daughter of John Matthews and Drucilla Beck. She was born 30 Aug 1864 in 4 mi. NW of Herrick, Cold Springs Twp., Shelby Co. IL, and died 16 Jan 1942 in near Oconee, Shelby, IL. After Rufus died in 1907, Dortha married Austin or Augustine Bland who was 22 years older than she was; he was from Kentucky. His first wife was Mary Lankford with whom he had several children.

Samuel left his first wife Isabelle without divorcing her, and his second wife, Dortha Mathews, petitioned that Rufus was absent from Isabelle’s life for more than 3 years. It was adjudged and decreed that this first marriage is“set aside and wholly annulled, and the said parties wholly released from the obligations of the same, and it is further ordered that the custody of the said Samuel Elben, who is aged 18 years on November 18^th 1877 be granted to the same petitioner, and the said defendant is hereby forever enjoined from interfering with the petitioner in the custody and case of said child until further orders of this court.”

Military – Civil War

He joined the 66^th OVI in 1861. Rufus, Levi, and George were captured at Chancellorsville when Stonewall Jackson rolled back the 11^th Corps.

Rufus fought for the Union side in Ohio in the U.S. Civil war, 118th Ohio Infantry, as a private. He also fought in the 66th Ohio Infantry as a private. He also fought in the 2nd Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps, as a private during the U.S. Civil War, 1861-1865. He was 18 years old when he enlisted on 10 Apr 1861 as a private in Ohio in Company C, 66th Infantry Regiment on 4 Oct 1861 and mustered out on 25 Dec 1864 near Savannah, GA. He was b. ca. 1843, d. 25 Feb 1907.

His pension went to his wife Dortha Elben, filed in the state of Illinois.

Rufus enlisted as an American Civil War soldier in Ohio, fighting for the Union, as did all of his brothers: George, John, Levi, and Willis, plus another relative Max Elben and all in Ohio. Max was b. in 1828 and enlisted as a Saddler on 9 Oct 1861 in Company I, 6^th Cavalry Regiment Ohio, and discharged on 17 Sep 1862; his relationship is unknown.

He enlisted 10 April 1861, a Pvt with Co. C. Ohio 66th Infantry Regiment, mustered in 4 Oct 1861 and mustered out 25 Dec 1862 at Savannah GA.

Rufus Elben then belonged to the 118^th Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was a private, 18 years of age, he entered the service on 22 Aug 1862, and stayed in for 3 years. See Rufus listed as “Rufus Elbin”: http://freepages.military.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~libeacons/118ovi/cosh.htm.

He took part in the Battle of Chancellorsville, and on 1 May 1863 was taken Prisoner of War. Rufus, was a Confederate Prisoner-of-War at Andersonville Prison, in Macon Co., Georgia, and lost his sight due to inhumane treatment there. About 12,913 of the approximately 45,000 Union prisoners held at Camp Sumter (the official name of Andersonville Prison) during the war died due to starvation, malnutrition, diarrhea, disease, abuse, and blunt weapon executions from guards. The prison was opened in Feb 1864 and liberated in May 1865. See http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/Andersonville_Prison.jpg or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Andersonville_Prison.jpg.

He was admitted to a US National disabled veteran home at Mt Vernon Ohio in 1881. The traditional story in the family was that Rufus had been captured, imprisoned at Andersonville and returned home blind. After that he just disappeared.  However, other research found that Rufus had been run over by an artillery caisson at the Battle of Chancellorsville, had been captured and imprisoned at Libby Prison.

1863 photograph of Libby Prison, looking east - prison guards in formation at present arms. Taken by C. R. Rees. Original at the Chicago Historical Society.

He was released in exchange, and returned home, where he married Isabelle. Rufus deserted Isabelle and his son Samuel and she was awarded a divorce and custody of Samuel. Rufus moved to Shelby, Illinois where he married Dortha Matthews. They had seven children.

The General Affidavit below from the state of Kansas, county of Phillips, given by Lura Ray of Logan Co., Kansas, says that this affiant was before the war and before the year 1860 a resident of Champaign County, State of Ohio, that while there was affiant lived with his parents who resided in said County and State. That while living with his said parents, Rufus Elben, then a mere boy came and made his home with my parents and worked around the neighborhood, that the said Rufus Elben lived with my parents until the war broke out when he enlisted in the Union Army at Urbana Ohio. Then after the war was over and the said Rufus Elben received his discharge, he lived with my parents for a number of years that is would be there the greater portion of the time. That he finally left my parents home and went back into Ohio and was there married to one Isabel Shaffer and that he lived with her for sometime and while so living with his said wife he visited with my parents in Illinois several times and I met him and know of his whereabouts and know that he was not married to any other than the Isabel Shaffer at that time, if he had been I should have known it from the conversations and letters. Than afterwards the said Rufus Elben was married to Dortha Mathews and that they were husband and wife up until the time of the death of the soldier from all information with affiant has. That this affiant knew and saw the said soldier frequently up until about eight years ago, or possibly a little more or until 1888. That up until that time this affiant knows that said soldier was not married to any other than to the said two women, one Isabel Shaffer and to the claimant, Dortha Mathews, now Elben. That this affiant has said in his affidavit that the said soldier went back into Ohio and there married and came to visit this affiant’s parents in Illinois, that this affiant wishes to say that the parents of this affiant moved to Illinois after the war and lived in Macon County in said state. That this affiant knows that the first wife of the said soldier, Isabel Shaffer, left and abandoned the said soldier and so remained away from him after that time and never did return to the said soldier. That the said Rufus Elben was less than eighteen years old when this affiant first became acquainted with him, believing him to be about fifteen or sixteen years old when his affiant first knew him.

Rufus received a Veteran Pension from the Ohio Infantry of Regiment 66, Company C.

Census

Rufus “Albon” is listed in the 1860 census of Madriver township, Champaign Co., OH.

1900 census of he was living in Dry Point, Shelby Co., IL, married to Darthena Elben since 1883 (17 years). He states that both his parents were born in Ohio. He’s living with his children Judson 13, Viola 10, Gussie M. 7, and Etless O. 4. His name is spelled “Rufus Elben”.

Death

Rufus d. 25 Feb 1907 in Herrick, Shelby Co., IL, and is buried at the Myers Cemetery in Herrick.

Above is Rufus Elben’s Civil War Pension Record, filed in Illinois, 25 Aug 1879, and he was a widow of Dortha Mathews who married after Rufus’ death to Augustine Bland as her signature shows above.

5.12* Willis (or William) Elben, b. 1846 in Eden, Licking Co., OH, lived in Washington, Licking Co., OH, in 1865. After his mother died on 18 Feb 1852, he lived with 8 members of the Shannon family in Eden, Licking Co., OH, in the 1860 census stating he was 12 or born ca. 1848 in OH. This entire Shannon family were buried at the Souslin Cemetery in Licking Co., OH, and probably were connected with the Souslin family in one way or another. The only Elben also buried there was #5.1 above. Willis’ sister, Mary Elben, married John Martin Souslin on 16 Aug 1827.

Marriage

Willis m1. Mary Gelsthorpe or Galestharp, the dau. of William Gelsthorpe and Mary Jane Downs. She was b. 11 Nov 1853 and d. 24 Oct 1877 in Knox Co., OH. They had twins George and Judson Elben on 10 Oct 1872.

Willis m2. Sophia Lefever before 1879, soon after his first wife had died, as they had their first child in 1879. She may have been the Sophia Lefever who was b. 1860 in OH, and lived with her mother Sarah Kemmish Lefever in the 1880 census of Milan, Erie Co., OH, as her father had died; both of Sophia’s parents were born in England. Sophia appears in the 1870 census of Milan with her mother Sarah 42 and her father Baker Lefever 56.

Sophia died before Willis had died, as he was still living in 1930. The 1900 census of Washington, Licking Co., OH, states that they had been married 17 years, or married in 1883 (which doesn’t equate), and that in 1900, 5 of his 7 children were living. Sophia was b. Dec 1846 in Utica, Knox Co., OH, according to the 1900 census, and she states that both her parents were born in OH. Her parents were John Lefever and Easter McPeek of Belmont Co., OH. John Lefever was b. 10 Dec 1818 and d. 8 Jul 1900, and his wife Easter McPeek was b. 23 Jun 1822. In the 1900 census, just before John Lefever died, in Newark, Licking Co., OH, John was 81 and living with his sister Carrie who had married George S. Conway. Also living with them was Carrie’s half brother Albert Elben, age 20, born in Jun 1879 in OH; he died in 1912 in Newark.

Military

Willis enlisted as an American Civil War soldier in Ohio, fighting for the Union, as did all of his brothers: George, John, Levi, and Rufus, plus another Elben, Max Elben, and all in Ohio. Max was b. in 1828 and enlisted as a Saddler on 9 Oct 1861 in Company I, 6^th Cavalry Regiment Ohio, and discharged on 17 Sep 1862; his relationship is unknown.

Willis was in the Civil War for 7 months, 6 days, in 1865 and was discharged because of heart trouble in Utica, Licking Co., OH, listed as a Private in Company E, 185^th Ohio Infantry, on the side of the Union.

Census

In the 1880 census of Martinsburg, Knox Co., OH, Willis is listed as “Willis Elbun” living with his wife Sophia. They are both the same age. Willis was a laborer. They were living with their children, twins George and Judson age 7, and Alfred age 1.

In the 1900 census of Washington, Licking Co., OH, he is living with his wife Sophia whom he married in 1879, and with their children Otis age 15, Edward R. age 14, and Ella age 10. In 1900 Sophia states that she was the mother of 7 children, but that only 5 children were living in 1900.

1907 City Directory of Newark, Licking Co., OH

In the 1930 census of Newark, Licking Co., OH, he is 84 years old, widowed, and living with the Kern family as a roomer. The Kern family were ancestors of the wife of John R. Elbin.

5.13 Amanda Elben, 2^nd daughter, not listed in the 1860 census. No data on her. In the 1850 census, she would have been at most 15 years old, and she is not listed, but then the 1850 census is known not to be very accurate.

5.14 Annabel Elben, 3^rd daughter, not listed in the 1860 census. Annabel b. perhaps 1844 in OH, as there is an Annabel Henderson, age 16, living with Caroline Henderson, age 9, in the 1860 census of Bellefontaine, Logan Co., OH, perhaps adopted Elben sisters. She states that both her parents were born in Pennsylvania in the 1880 census of Lake, Wood Co., OH. She eventually did marry a Henderson, Samuel Henderson.

5.15 Caroline Elben, 4^th daughter, b. most likely 18 Feb 1852 in OH, in the 1860 census in Washington, Holmes Co., OH, she was living with the Booth family. Her mother died on 18 Feb 1852. Just as a note to keep here, a listing exists of “a” Caroline Elben, widow of Max, living at 90 Scovill Ave., Cleveland, Ohio, in 1894. Max Elben was a Civil War veteran from 1861 to 1862. There is also “a” Caroline M. Elben living at 162 Henry St., San Francisco, CA in 1924 and 1930. “A” Caroline Elben is listed as born in 1830, died in 1910, age 80, and is buried in Canton, Stark Co., OH, at the West Lawn Cemetery; she is definitely the Caroline from the last generation.

Caroline b. 1852? The 1860 census of Washington, Holmes Co., OH, states she was about age 6, b. 1854, living with the Booth family. She appears to be an orphan. If William had remarried, she would have lived with him, but apparently he must have died about the same time as his wife. Then in the 1860 census of Bellefontaine, Logan Co., OH, she could have been living with her sister Annabel (see above). She is listed as age 9, b. 1851 in OH. By the 1870 census, she is listed as Caroline Henderson 19, living with William Henderson 37. By the 1880 census, it states she was b. 1851, is age 29, married to William Henderson age 48. Caroline Henderson is listed in findagrave as born 1841, d. 1929, buried at the Christian Church Cemetery in Glenmont, Holmes Co., OH. Another Caroline Henderson is listed as b. 1854, d. 1930, and is buried at the Saint Anns Cemetery in Philo, Muskingum Co., OH; it states she married John Henderson which indicates her maiden name was not Henderson.

After these children’s mother died in 1852, William may have remarried 4 years later, but in the meantime, the younger children had various family guardians or unknown people taking care of them even in other areas or states, or they joined the military, or they got married. For more information on a possible second wife for William, see William Elben of Ohio.

Sixth Generation