Elkanah A. Land first saw the light of day in Hickman County, Tenn., March 28, 1827, was a son of Cooper B. and Hannah (Anderson) Land, and one of their eleven children. Cooper Land and his wife are Tennesseans by birth, born in 1806 and 1802 respectively, and since 1841 have been residents and farmers of Perry County. The mother died in 1868. In 1844 our subject began doing for himself, and June 6, of that year married Nancy Barber, of Perry County. They have four children: William R., Mary F., Elizabeth J. and Nancy H. Mr. Land learned the blacksmith's trade in 1847, and followed it in connection with farming for about fourteen years. He came into possession of his present farm of 600 acres in 1844. In October, 1862, he was ordained minister of the Christian Church, and has since been the chief expounder of the gospel in Perry County. He organized all the churches of his denomination in the county, and has also been instrumental in organizing many churches in the adjoining counties. He has administered the ordinance of baptism to about 2,000 persons.