I've "rescued" an old photograph of J. L. ELSON which was taken at the L. A. Reid Studio in Cedar Rapids, IA. The photograph is dated August 4th 1914 and also includes an inscription "Summer 1906" on the back of the photograph. Based on limited research I was able to locate the following information regarding John Lewis ELSON: John Lewis ELSON was b. 26 Oct 1860 in Palo, IA or Iowa City, IA to parents Archibald ELSON III (1832-1921) and Melissa "Lizzie" Tabitha LEWIS (1835-1910). John was one of 5 children born to this couple including, Richard "Dick" Baxter (1857-1925); Emily "Emma" Elizabeth (1859-1923); John Lewis; James William (1863-1932); and Melissa Adelma (1874-1961) ELSON. John married Eldora OGAN (1862-1936) and together they had 3 children including, Wayne (b. 1889); Helen (b. 1890); and Gertrude Marie (b. 1896) ELSON. John died 27 Jul 1925 in Marion, IA. The family name was sometimes spelled ELLISON or ELLSON. Census records provide the following information: 1870 census of Fayette, IA: Archibald ELSON Jr., age 38, a Farmer, born OH Melissa ELSON, age 34, Keeps House, born IN Richard B. ELSON, age 13, born IA Emma E. ELSON, age 11, born IA John E. ELSON, age 10, born IA James W. ELSON, age 7, born IA 1900 census of Fayette, IA: John L. ELSON, age 39, born Oct 1860, married 12 years, born IA, parents born OH/IN Dora ELSON, wife, age 37, born Oct 1862, 3 children/3 living, born IA, parents born OH/IN Wayne ELSON, son, age 11, born Mar 1889, born SD, at School Helen ELSON, dau, age 10, born May 1890, born SD, at School Gertrude ELSON, dau, age 4, born Feb 1896, born IA 1910 census of Marion, IA: John L. ELSON, age 49, born IA, parents born OH/IN, Billiard Hall Owner Dora ELSON, wife, age 47, married 22 years, 3 children/3 living, born IA, parents born IN/OH Wayne ELSON, son, age 21, born SD, Working on Farm Helen M. ELSON, dau, age 19, born SD Gertrude M. ELSON, dau, age 14, born IA 1920 census of Marion, IA: John Lewis ELSON, age 59, born IA, parents born OH/IN, a Car Repairer Eldora ELSON, wife, age 57, born IA, parents born IN/OH Gertrude Marie ELSON, dau, age 23, born IA, a Book Binder I am hoping to locate someone from John's family so that this wonderful old photograph can be returned to the care of family. If you are a member of this ELSON Family, or you know someone who might be, please contact me. Thanks, Shelley