Thomas Benton Elder was my great grandfather. He was born in Illinois in about 1849, son of Cornelius Dempsey Elder. Thomas married Eliza (Lida) M. Lanning, born in New York about 1849, daughter of Martin Lanning. Thomas appears to have spent most of his life as a farmer in Delaware Co., Iowa, and he died in the Spokane area of Washington in about 1923. Thomas had four children that survived into adulthood. Lysle, Clyde, Edna, and Fern. Merle Edna Elder was my grandmother. She died in Los Angeles County in 1951.

All I have on this family are federal and state census records and some family lore. I am interested in finding other descendents of this family group who may also have information to share, especially family lore. .