BIO: Robert ELDER, Dauphin County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, page 182.
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  ELDER, ROBERT, son of Rev. John Elder, was born June 11, 1742, in 
Paxtang; died September 29, 1818.  He was educated at the academy in 
Chester county, and was destined by his father for the ministry.  His 
inclinations, and the breaking out of the French and Indian war, when 
the boy enlisted with his father as a ranger on the frontiers, 
determined otherwise.  With his Scotch-Irish neighbors, he entered 
heartily into the contest for independence, and throughout the war of 
the Revolution was in the field or engaged in organizing the 
associators, of which he was colonel, succeeding Colonel Burd in the 
command of the companies raised in Paxtang.  At the close of the 
conflict he continued his occupation of farming, avoiding public 
office, preferring the quiet of domestic life.  Colonel Elder married 
Mary J. Thompson, of Derry, born October 19, 1750; died August 18, 
1813.