George Saffarrans Elder

       
    George Saffarrans Elder, son of Leander M. Elder and Mary Saffarrans Elder, was born in Chattanooga, Dec.12, 1879. He was educated in the public schools of Chattanooga and at Baylor School. When he was twenty years of age he went to St. Louis to reside and engaged in business in that city. In 1916 he organized the Elder Manufacturing Company and in 1921 after a remarkably successful career as a manufacturer he retired from active business life and decided to return to Chattanooga, the home of his boyhood, to reside. He purchased a country estate on Raccoon Mountain, a spur of the Cumberland Range. The estate of many thousand acres was entirely undeveloped much of it being virgin forest. His home of native rock, built on the crown of the Mountain, was erected under his personal supervision, and it is one of the most interesting features of Chattanooga's landscape. It commands a superb view of the wide panorama that includes Chattanooga and the surrounding country. It can be seen from the city and is like an ancient rock castle set on the bluff of the high mountain. In converting the estate into a private park of infinite loveliness, Mr. Elder preserved the virgin growth leaving the wild and rugged aspect in many areas. Mr. Elder married Hazel Garrison in St. Louis in 1907. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Lawrence Garrison, members of old St. Louis families. Mr. Elder died May 24,1924. Mrs. Elder carries on the management of the large estate and also finds time to be actively interested in Chattanooga's civic, social and church affairs in which she is recognized as a leader and a distinct force.  Their two children are O. L. Garrison Elder and Mary Elder who married Charles B. Coleman.

“The History of Hamilton County and Chattanooga Tennessee, Volume 1,” by Zella Armstrong.

Submitted by Karen Chastain