Untitled
Surnames: Meyers, Smith, Manning, Bobb, McDonald, Graham, Bremmer, McIntyre, Lane
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901 - page 260-261
A. C. VANDERWATER ELSTON is numbered among the most prominent citizens of Muscoda, Grant county, and has attained his eminence through his ability, business acumen, and energy, being now one of the leading merchants, banker and postmaster of that place, and an ex-member of the State Legislature.
Mr. Vanderwater ELSTON is a native of the Empire State, having been born at Unionville, Orange Co., N.Y., Sept. 9, 1845, a son of S. B. and Hannah (MEYERS) ELSTON, also natives of New York, of German ancestry. The parents migrated with their three children, one of whom is the subject of this sketch, to Muscoda, Wis., in 1855, and purchased the "Wisconsin House, " a hotel at that place. Not finding it suitable to his requirements, Mr. ELSTON rebuilt it, and conducted the hotel very successfully for fifteen years, after which he sold out and purchased a farm in Eagle, Richland county, this State, on which he resided until his death, Nov. 11, 1878. He gained the respect of all who knew him. He and his estimable wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically Mr. ELSTON was first an anti-slavery Whig and later a Republican. His wife survived him until June, 1896, and both will be tenderly remembered by their large circle of friends, not only in Richland county, but throughout the State. The eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. S. B. ELSTON is Albert D., of Chicago; the subject of this sketch was the second; Emma, wife of Fred W. SMITH, was the third (she died at the age of twenty-two); after locating in Wisconsin two daughters were added to the family circle, Ida, now Mrs. W. S. MANNING, of Solder's Grove, Wis.; and Eva, wife of Edward BOBB, of Thorp, Clark Co., Wisconsin.
A. C. Vanderwater ELSTON was about ten years old when brought to Muscoda by his parents, and is therefore one of the old residents, and well known to everyone. In addition to an academic course he studied at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, Chicago, and began his business career as a clerk in the store of McDONALD & GRAHAM, at Muscoda, in 1862. Four years later he entered into partnership with Jacob BREMMER, continuing this relation for one year. His next venture was in 1867, when he formed a partnership with Peter McINTYRE, under the firm name of McINTYRE & ELSTON, which style was continued for ten years, when Mr. McINTYRE retired; his son succeeded him, and the house became known as ELSTON & MCINTYRE. They are merchants and bankers, having embarked in the latter branch of their business in October, 1884, and now conduct their affairs under the name of McINTYRE, ELSTON & Co. Mr. ELSTON is also postmaster at Muscoda, having been appointed in 1897. He was elected to the State Legislature on the Republican ticket in 1889, and served his constituents most acceptably.
On Dec. 16, 1867, Mr. ELSTON was married to Miss Juliana LANE, of Platteville, Grant Co., Wis., a daughter of Henry C. LANE, who settled in Platteville in 1837, was one of the pioneer blacksmiths of the town, and later one of its leading hardware merchants. Mr. and Mrs. ELSTON have had two children; their daughter died in 1899. The son, Henry L. ELSTON, is an electrician and manufacturer of telephones, is his father's assistant in the postoffice, and is a very worthy young man.
As merchant, banker, government official and representative of the people, Mr. ELSTON has displayed ability of a high order, and a steadfastness of purpose that works toward the attainment of best results. His friends are legion, and his domestic and social relations are as pleasant as his business connections are successful.
This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck