Jeremiah E. Elson was born in Ohio in 1838 and moved to Palo, Iowa with his family before the Civil War. He was certified as a teacher in 1860. When the Civil War began he and his brother James in enlisted in Company C, Ninth Iowa Infantry. The Elson brothers were both wounded; James in May 1863 at Vickburg, and Jeremiah in March 1863 at Pea Ridge. Jeremiah met and married Mollie while recouperating in Iowa. He returned to his unit and was promoted captain in August 1864. He mustered out in July 1865 and returned to Iowa. He and Mollie lived in Shelllsburg. They farmed and Jeremiah practiced law. They had a son Bertie, and a daughter Madge. In 1880 they moved to Huron, Dakota Territory. Mollie recorded details of the harsh winter of 1881 in her diary.
From the description of Elson, Jeremiah E. and Mollie Elson papers, 1859-1937. (Iowa Sate Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 50158906
