Robert B. Elson
Robert B. Elson, who has occupied his present farm of forty-five acres, which is situated in Island Creek Township, Jefferson County, Ohio, since 1900, is a well known citizen, having worked all over the county for a number of years, as a brick mason. He was born at Steubenville, O., September 11, 1862, and is a son of Edward and Mary (Kirkman) Elson.
Edward Elson was born at Steubenville in 1833 and resided there until he was about forty-eight years of age, when he moved to Island Creek Township and engaged in farming until he retired to Richmond, O., where he and wife reside. For a number of years he was a member of the brick contracting firm at Steubenville, of Harris, Elson & Bates, a business firm of high standing at that time. To Edward Elson and wife there were nine children born and of these the following survive: Robert B.; John H., of Toronto, O.; Harry and Edward, of Island Creek Township; and Fannie, of Richmond, O.
Robert B. Elson remained at home through his school-day period and then learned brick laying with Frank Nicholson, a well known brick builder and contractor at Steubenville and since then he has alternated working at his trade and following farming, taking up his residence on his farm in 1900, as noted above, and here, to some degree, is engaged in oil production.
On March 11, 1884, Mr. Elson was auirried to Miss Margaret A. Cloman, of Harrison County, Ohio, and they have seven children: Edward F., Robert B., Bertha P., John Francis, James S., Margaret A. and Mary A. Mr. Elson is a Republican and gives earnest support to his party but desires no political preferment for himself.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910