Samuel McElfresh
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth Date: 22 Jan 1844 - Hardinsburg, Dearborn, Indiana, USA
Christening:
Death: 1 Aug 1907 - Hardinsburg, Dearborn, Indiana, USA
Burial: in Greendale Cemetery, Lawrenceburg, Dearborn, Indiana, USA
Cause of Death:
Parents
Father: Samuel De Mint McElfresh
Mother: Abigail Miller
Spouses and Children
1. *Helen Hollister
Marriage: Sep 1868
Children:
1. Harry J. McElfresh
2. George Robert McElfresh
Notes
General:
Per 1850 US Census: 8/15/1850, Laurenceburg Township, Dearborn County, IndianaResearch:
Samuel McElfresh is a 48 year old farmer, born in Kentucky. His 40 year old wife, Abigal, was born in Indiana, as were the children 8 year old Enoch and 7 year old Samuel. Also living with the family are 18 year old Thomas McKinney and 11 year old Lucy A. McKinney, both born in Indiana (from Abigail's first marriage). All the children attended school within the last year..
(Listed on the same census page are Abigail's parents, Job and Elizabeth Miller)
Per 1860 US Census: 6/27/1860 Lawrenceburg Township, Dearborn County, Indiana
Saml McElfresh is a 40 year old farmer from Kentucky, with personal estate valued at $1,000. Abigal McElfresh is 50 years old and from Indiana. Lucy McKinney is 20, from Indiana. Enoch McElfresh is 17, from Indiana. Saml McElfresh is 15, from Indiana. Abigal McElfresh is 8 from Indiana. Joseph McElfresh is 5, from Indiana. Mary Brewer is 16 from Ohio. James Mills is 26 from Kentucky. Ed Johnson is 20 from New York. John Miller is 21 from Prussia.
Per 1870 US Census: 6/7/1870, Laurenceburg Township, Dearborn County, Indiana
Samuel McElfresh is a 26 year old white male grain dealer. Helen McElfresh is 21 years old, and keeps house. Harry J. McElfresh is 3 months old, born in March 1870. Living with the family is a domestic servant, Margaret Selm. All are from Indiana.
Per 1900 US Census: 6/8/1900, High Street, Lawrenceburg Township, Dearborn County, Indiana
Robert McElfresh is a 22 year old white male head of household, born September 1877 in Indiana as were his parents, and works as a street car conductor. He rents the home, and is married to 21 year old Catherine McElfresh. Catherine was born in June 1878 in Indiana, as were her parents. She has not yet had any children. Living with the couple is Robert's father, Samuel McElfresh 56 years old and divorced. Samuel was born in January 1844 in Indiana, his father in Kentucky, his mother in Indiana. Samuel is an insurance agent.
Per History of Dearborn and Ohio Counties, page 880-881
"Samuel McElfresh, secretary and treasurer of the Ohio Valley Coffin Company, of Lawrenceburgh, was born near this place January 22, 1844. His parents, Samuel and Abigail McElfresh, were natives of Kentucky and this county respectively, his grandfather, Job McElfresh, being one of the first to settle in this locality. His father died of lockjaw in 1876, his mother still surviving. Mr. McElfresh passed his early years on the farm and obtained a fair education in the common schools, supplementing this by taking a course in the commercial college, of Cincinnati. In 1865 he came to Lawrenceburgh and engaged as clerk and book-keeper in a grocery establishment in which he continued three years, then purchased the store in partnership with a Mr. Beckman and remained in the business one year as proprietor. He was next employed in the Rossville Distillery as book-keeper at the same time, having an interest in the cattle fed at the establishment. He operated in this manner two years, then began buying grain for the distillery, following this work about four years, when he took stock in the Ohio Valley Coffin Factory, with which he has been connected since 1875. Mr. McElfresh was married in September, 1868, to Helen Hollister, of Lawrenceburgh, daughter of Russel and Alvira Hollister, who are still residents of the place. Their two children are Harry J. and George R. Mr. McElfresh ia a man of sterling qualities both as a citizen and business man, and he has doubtless contributed a full share to the success of the manufacturing establishment with which he is identified."
Per History of Dearborn and Ohio Counties, page 291, excerpts
The Ohio Valley Coffin Company, January 27, 1872, ... organized under an act of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, to be known as the Ohio Valley Coffin Company, with a capital stock of $30,000. Existence of the organization to be fifty years; object, for the purpose of manufacturing wooden burial caskets and cases. ... For some years the enterprise languished and there was a frequent change of officers. The present management, consisting of L. S. Isdell, president; Charles Decker, superintendent and manager; Samuel McElfresh secretary and treasurer, have conducted this business since in 1875, and under their management the trade has steadily revived until the institution now occupies an enviable position. In 1873 the capital stock was increased to $39,000, and at present its capital stock is $58,500. This is one of the leading factories of the city, and is doing an extensive business. They manufacture all kinds of coffins, caskets, and all kinds of trimmings are kept at hand. The capacity of the factory is 600 coffins and caskets per week and the annual business of the concern amounts to upward of $100,000. Employment is given to be about seventy-five workmen. the real estate of the company in 1876, was valued at $19,000; stock of manufactured articles $15,000; lumber and materials $7,000."
Per Findagrave.com Samuel D McElfresh
Birth:Jan. 22, 1844 Hardinsburg, Dearborn County, Indiana, USA
Death:Aug. 1, 1907 Hardinsburg, Dearborn County, Indiana, USA
k/o DeMink & Abigail
Burial: Greendale Cemetery Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County, Indiana, USA, Plot: G-43
Created by: dhintx Record added: Apr 18, 2011
Find A Grave Memorial# 68571216
If it turns out he is a banker, look at this -
http://search.ancestry.com/browse/bookview.aspx?dbid=23750&iid=dvm_LocHist008983-00220-1&rc=886,2915,1151,2985;1244,2906,1606,2973&pid=424&ssrc=&fn=Samuel&ln=McElfresh&st=g
1900 US Census
http://search.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=View&r=an&dbid=7602&iid=004118594_00186&fn=Samuel&ln=Mc+Elfresh&st=r&ssrc=&pid=13259685