b. December 31, 1797, in Clark County, Kentucky; d. in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Elkin studied medicine and graduated from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. He came to Sangamon County, Illinois, in 1823, and practiced medicine in what became the Fancy Creek Township. On April 20, 1823, he married Mary Constant and soon afterward moved to Springfield, Illinois, where he practiced medicine. Elkin served as sheriff of Sangamon County between 1834 and 1840. Elkin also served in the Black Hawk, Mormon and Mexican Wars. He was a captain of a company from Bloomington during the Mexican War. He moved to Bloomington in 1845, and then to Oskaloosa, Iowa, in 1853.