Elston - Isaac C.
(Major) ISAAC C. ELSTON
Source: The Politial Graveyard (thanks Jeff S)
Isaac C. Elston of Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Ind. Democrat. Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Indiana, 1860.
Source: History of Montgomery County, Indiana. Indianapolis: A. W. Bowen & Co. [1913]. (microfilm 3:40 no. 144, pp. 692-694).
Isaac Compton Elston (1795-1868) was a prominent merchant, banker and land developer in Crawfordsville. Elston was born in New York and came to Crawfordsville in 1823. One of his first ventures was trading with the Indians. He was also the town´s first postmaster, 1837-39. Because of his land development interests, Elston actively worked to bring in the railroad and became the first president of the Crawfordsville & Wabash Railroad. In 1853 Elston founded his bank, Elston & Co., and eventually brought in two of his son-in-laws, Lane and Lew Wallace, as partners. He was also involved in the Sand Creek Coal Company of Parke City, which was owned by another son-in-law, Hector S. Braden.
Source: Elston, James Stode, The Elston family in America Rutland, Vt.: Tuttle Pub. Co., 1942, 642 pgs. p 152 #350
Maj. Isaac C. Elston (Indiana & Indianans by Jacob Dunn) founder of Mich City - hardly less prominent as a financier and businessman and citizen in other section sof the state was b. in NJ 1794. The family moved soon afterwards to Onondaga Co NY where he lived until 1818. Indian - Vincennes - merchant for several years. 1823 Terre Haute - same year 1st store at Crawfordsville - 1st postmaster of C'ville (appointed by Pres. Jackson) - in 1825 he & two other men bought site of Lafayette for $240. Founded Rock River Mills at Crawfordsville and was 1st pres of C'ville & Wabash RR afterwards merged with Louisville, New Albany & Chicago RR. 1831 Maj Elston bought land for the original site of Michigan City - $1.25 / acre. Oct 1832 - Oct 1835 land platted city streets laid out schools & churches provided for. Majo Elston never became res of Mich City and lived in C'ville with daughter until 1867. In 1853 he established the banking house of Elston & Company at Crawfordsvilleville where he was manager until death. One of his daughters was the wife of General Lew Wallace.
Note from KZ: Perhaps today but definitely in the 1930s + there was an Isaac C. Elston school in Michigan City and several Elston ... in Lafayette in his honor - there are many other ELSTON -oriented places, streets ...
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Review, April 21, 1883
The remains of Major ELSTON and wife, son and daughter, were this week removed by the relatives from the family burial ground in Elston Grove to the beautiful family lot at Oak Hill.