Career
He was later elected to the position of town clerk for the City of Middletown. He also served as treasurer and Jude of Probate
At the age of 18, Elihu was appointed Sergeant Major into the Second Artillery Regiment in the Connecticut militia. He was later appointed to quartermaster and then as adjutant.
In 1836 he was elected Captain of the First Rifle Company, Sixth Infantry Regiment.
In 1839 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and then elected as Brigadier General of the Second Brigade, Connecticut Militia. In 1852, Elihu was appointed to the position of Connecticut Adjutant General by Governor Thomas H. Seymour.