Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Sergeant in Company C, 9th Iowa Infantry, Union Army. For extraordinary heroism, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on September 12, 1891. In action at Vicksburg, Mississippi, on May 22, 1863, Sergeant Elson carried the colors in advance of his regiment, when he was shot and wounded while attempting to plant the colors on the Confederate defensive line. He was again wounded in at a battle near Atlanta, Georgia and was later discharged from active service as a First Lieutenant. After the war he returned to his hometown of Shellsburg, Iowa and engaged in the insurance business. In 1884, he was appointed Postmaster at Shellsburg, serving until 1892 and was elected Sheriff of Benton County, in 1893, serving until death at age 55.
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Sergeant in Company C, 9th Iowa Infantry, Union Army. For extraordinary heroism, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on September 12, 1891. In action at Vicksburg, Mississippi, on May 22, 1863, Sergeant Elson carried the colors in advance of his regiment, when he was shot and wounded while attempting to plant the colors on the Confederate defensive line. He was again wounded in at a battle near Atlanta, Georgia and was later discharged from active service as a First Lieutenant. After the war he returned to his hometown of Shellsburg, Iowa and engaged in the insurance business. In 1884, he was appointed Postmaster at Shellsburg, serving until 1892 and was elected Sheriff of Benton County, in 1893, serving until death at age 55.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
MEDAL OF HONOR
1ST LIEUT CO C 9 IOWA INF
CIVIL WAR
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