A piece of Perry County and United States history will soon be on display.
John (Skip) Lottes III and Dean Elder donated a Sabre that belonged to Joseph A. Elder to the Perry County Military History Museum.
The weapon has been in the Elder and Lottes family since the Civil War.
“This is a great piece of Perry County history,”said John Rauh of the Perry County Military History Museum.
Manufactured by Christopher Roby Company of West Chelmsford, Mass, the Sabre was one of over 48,000 edged weapons produced for the U.S. Ordinance Department. The blade length of this Sabre measures 35 inches, width is 1 3 / 32 inch, with a wide fuller 27 ½” long and a narrow fuller 18 ¼” long.
Captain Elder served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Joseph A. Elder was born in Perryville in 1841. He enlisted in Company B, 49th Regiment of the Illinois Volunteers at the beginning of the war.
Sabre Timeline
Louise Ann Elder Lottes (Mrs. John F. Lottes Sr.) was the daughter of Joseph A. Elder. Louise received the Sabre at Joseph’s death in 1926.
At Louise’s death, the Sabre passed to her daughter, Helen Lottes Klump. The sword passed from Helen to her daughter Patricia Klump Wood, then to her son Thomas Wood. Earlier this year, John (Skip) Lottes III, Louise’s grandson, asked Tom if the family would consider donating the Sabre to the Perry County Military History Museum. Tom after checking with his mother, Patricia, agreed to donate the Sabre.
Joseph A. Elder history
Joseph Aristides Arstead Elder was born December 18, 1841, in Perryville, to Joseph V. Elder and Harriet Elizabeth Walker. He enlisted in Company B, 49th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, on October 12, 1861, in Waterloo, Ill. at the age of 19. He was mustered in on December 31, 1861 at Camp Butler.
He was discharged September 9, 1865 at Paducah, Kentucky. Mustered out as Sergeant-major.
From September 5, 1864, his rank was sergeant-major and on September 20, 1865 he was commissioned as a Captain.
On January 1, 1866, he was married to Miss Fadelia Anna Brewer. To this union was born; Mary Florence, Francis 0. and Joseph A. Elder Jr., all of whom preceded their father in death. Fadelia passed away in May 23, 1874.
On May 2, 1875 Joseph married Miss Caroline Bollinger, with the ceremony taking place at St. Mary’s of the Barrens.
Fifteen children were born to them, three dying in infancy.
Caroline passed away on April 24, 1899.
Joseph passed away January 7, 1926 and is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery.
