Confederatevets.com

Thomas Gordon Elam, seventy-one years old, a prominent citizen and Confederate veteran, died at the home of his daughter in Salem, Va., after a brief illness.

Captain Elam who was one of the best-known and best-loved veterans of Roanoke, was born in Campbell County, Va., November 8, 1844. In 1861, at the age of sixteen, he enlisted in the Clarksville Bluse, Company E, 14th Virginia Regiment, and served four years, part of which time he was attached to Gen. Fitzhugh Lee's staff as field telegrapher. He learned the use of the telegraph while stationed at Drewry's Bluff. At the end of the war he held the rank of captian.

His home was in Suffolk for several years after the war, and there was married to Miss Emily S. Arnold in 1870. For twenty years he was editor and owner of the Suffolk Herald and later editor of the Danville Register. He then went into the insurance business, in which he continued until his death. He had lived in Roanoke for eleven years.

Captain was known wherever Confederate veterans congregate and was serving his second term as Commander of William Watts Camp, Confederate Veterans, of Roanoke. He was also First Lieutenant Grand Commander of the Virginia Confederate Veterans. Hiskindly greetings will be missed by his comrades at the Confederate reunions, which he so enjoyed.

Captin Elam is survived by his wife and three children, two daughters and a son.

Veterans of the Hupp-Deyerle and William Watts Camps, Confederate Veterans, od Salem and Roanoke, were the honorary pallbearers at his funeral; while the active pallbearers were from the Albert Sidney Johnston Camp of Sons of Veterans.