Robert McElrath, farmer, P.O. Silver City, Mills County, was born in Erie County, Penn., March 11, 1836, son of James and Elizabeth (Leland) McElrath, both natives of Northumberland County, Penn., he, born March 12, 1800, and died in St. Joseph County, Mich., in December, 1862; she, born in 1802, and still living, in St. Joseph County, Mich. The parents were farmers, and raised eight children--four boys and four girls.

Our subject received his schooling in St. Joseph County, Mich., to which place his parents had moved shortly after his birth, and commenced life as a tiller of the soil. He afterward learned the shoemaker's trade, but returned to farming.

August 8, 1862, he enlisted in the Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, Company K, Capt. Duffy. He took part in the engagement of Spring Hill, Tenn., and was taken prisoner, and sent to Libby Prison, Virginia.

He was married, February 4, 1857, in St. Croix County, Wis., to Nancy M. Harris, born in New York September 24, 1836.

Our subject lived in Michigan until 1869, when he went to Shelby County, MO., where he lived until he came to Keg Creek Township in 1873, where he purchased eighty acres of land at $15 per acre. He has set out a grove and made other substantial improvements. He engages in general farming.

He has two daughters--Susan Elmina, born March 5, 1861; and Alice Elcina, born July 15, 1862.

Mr. McElrath is an Odd Fellow, Silver City Lodge. He votes the Republican ticket.