No history of Delaware county would be complete were their failure to make reference to Elias Faust, who for sixty-two years has resided here and is today the oldest settler now living in the county. Moreover, he is a prosperous farmer and one whose labors have brought him to his present enviable position. His life has indeed been a busy and useful one crowned with a substantial measure of success. He was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1840, a son of John and Catherine Faust, likewise natives of the Keystone state. To their union were born twelve children, all of whom grew to maturity. The family removed to this county in 1854 and located in Elk township, where the father became a well known stock-raiser. He was a democrat but never held office. He was a man of true patriotic spirit and in the War of 1812 served in the American army, participating in a number of engagements. His demise occurred in September, 1876, and his widow survived but three years, passing away in 1879. Both are interred in a cemetery at St. Charles, Madison county, this state.
      Elias Faust was a youth of twelve years when he came to this state with a half brother, arriving in Delaware county on the 28th of May, 1852. He began his education in the schools of his native state and continued to attend school after his removal to the west. For a time he was a student in the schools of Epworth, Iowa, and in the winter of 1859 and 1860 he continued his education in the public schools near his home, which was his last year in school. After putting aside his text-books he devoted his time exclusively to farming and has since so continued, finding that occupation both profitable and congenial. In 1864 he located upon his present place, which comprises two hundred fertile acres and is situated in Oneida township, and has since made many improvements, including the erection of a comfortable home, a good barn and other necessary buildings.
     Mr. Faust was married October 9, 1864, to Miss Sarah Jane Kahl, a daugh­ter of John and Julianna (Greninger) Kahl. Her parents came here from Clinton county, Pennsylvania, but are both deceased. To their union were born two children. By her marriage Mrs. Faust has become the mother of six children, namely: John, a resident of Plymouth county, Iowa; Charles, a resi­dent of Oneida township; Minnie, the wife of Robert Lillibridge, of Honey Creek township; James, a farmer of Honey Creek township; Andrew, a resi­dent of Oneida township; and Frank, at home. On the 9th of October, 1914, Mr. and Mrs. Faust celebrated their golden wedding, on which occasion more than two hundred and fifty guests were present and the affair was one never to be forgotten by those who participated therein, all joining in wishing them all happiness through the remainder of life's journey.
      Mr. Faust is greatly interested in everything pertaining to the public wel­fare and for a number of terms served upon the school board. Although he has passed the age of three score years and ten, the age the Psalmist allotted to man, he is strong both mentally and physically and still performs his share of the world's work, and, moreover, he has not only won financial success, but has gained loyal friends, who value highly his good opinion. His name indeed deserves a prominent place upon the pages of the history of Delaware county, as he is today the oldest resident of the county in years of continuous connec­tion, therewith. More than six decades have passed since his arrival and he has lived to see many remarkable changes. When he came much of the land was still in possession of the government and it was with little difficulty that the early settlers secured claims. He has lived to see the wild land converted into productive fields, while the primitive homes have been replaced by sub­stantial and modern residences. Towns and villages have sprung up and where once was seen wild game and animals there is now to be seen the fine stock of the farms. As the years have gone by Mr. Faust has ever manifested a deep interest in the welfare and upbuilding of the community and has ever borne his part in the work of advancement. He can relate many interesting inci­dents of the early days and his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present.