ELDER, J. MARSHALL, M. D., Franklin, Ill.-Human character is molded by a thousand subtle influences; nevertheless men must necessarily be the active agents of their own destiny. Character is infinitely superior to anything else. A good character is inherent, and 'tis fortunate to be well born; but, aside from the Ministry of the Gospel of Christ, it is a question if any profession can offer a greater field of usefulness, or prove more conclusively the mettle of one's character, than that of an educated and conscientious physician.

Dr. Elder's place of nativity and nurture was Scottville, Macoupin County, Ill., and his day of birth January 26, 1869. He was the son of Doctor David and Nancy Jane Elder, the former of whom practiced his profession in an able manner for a period of thirty-five years, and whose decease occurred on August 21, 1889. J. Marshall Elder received a common school education, and then attended the Western Normal College at Bushnell, Ill. Deciding to study medicine, however, he went to Indianapolis, Ind., graduating from the Physio-Medical College in March, 1896, and a month later establishing a practice in Franklin, Morgan County-a practice which has grown until now his services are in demand not only in the village but throughout the surrounding county.

On April 9, 1896, Dr. Elder was married to Mary, daughter of Alexander S. and Margaret Ann McLarty, of Hancock County, Ill., and of this union two children have been born-Kenyon V. and Lillian.

Dr. Elder is President of the Board of Health in Franklin; is a member of the American Association of Physio-Medical Physicians and Surgeons and ex-President of the Illinois State Physio-Medical Society. He belongs to the I.O.O.F., Modern Woodmen, Court of Honor, Maccabees and Mutual Protective League. He is also a member and Deacon of the Christian Church.