Reverend Elam S. Preston
b. 29 September 1821, Campbell County, Virginia, to Zenas and Elizabeth (Stanton) Preston
d. 27 February 1906, Valley City, Barnes County, North Dakota
m/1. 13 May 1850, St. Joseph County, Indiana
Keziah Brown
m/2.
Maria Shepley
m/3. 21 July 1864
Anna N. (Dodd) Willard
d. 8 March 1905, Tower City, Cass County, North Dakota
Children with Maria Shepley:
- Elizabeth Preston married [–?–] Anderson
Elam was the fifth of seven children. In 1840, Elam, age 19, was still living at home with his family, but shortly afterward he entered Indiana Asbury College to begin his studies for the ministry. In 1847 he was admitted on a trial basis to the North Indiana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In August 1850 he was appointed to serve at South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana. He joined the Northwest Indiana Conference when it formed in 1852 and was appointed minister to the Mishawaka Methodist Episcopal Church in April 1863. Elam died in 1906 at the home of his daughter, Elizabeth (Preston) Anderson. He and Maria had other children.
Submitted by:
Barbara Taylor Szabo
Osceola IN