Background
He was born in Malin, County Donegal, Ireland and studied theology at Belfast College, the University of Glasgow, the University of Edinburgh and New College, Edinburgh.
He was born in Malin, County Donegal, Ireland and studied theology at Belfast College, the University of Glasgow, the University of Edinburgh and New College, Edinburgh.
University of Edinburgh.
He represented Saint John County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1875 to 1883. Elder came to New Brunswick as a missionary in 1853. In 1865, he founded the Morning Journal at Saint John.
In 1869, that newspaper merged with the Morning Telegraph to form the Saint John Daily Telegraph and Morning Journal (later the Telegraph-Journal), with John Livingston as owner and Elder as editors
In 1871, he became sole owner of both newspapers. "He ranks high amongst the greater newspaper men of Canada".
Elder was also a director for the Saint John Grammar School Board and the Saint John Board of Trade. In 1872, Elder ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Canadian House of Commons.
He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in an 1875 by-election held after the death of Joseph Coram.
In 1883, he was named provincial secretary, president and chairman of the Board of Agriculture. He died in office in Saint John several months later.