Elcan, Marcus

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ELCAN, MARCUS

ELCAN, MARCUS (c. 1757–1808), early settler of Richmond, Virginia. Elcan probably was born in Germany. He arrived in Richmond by 1782, when his name appeared as witness to a deed, although he was listed as a member of Philadelphia's Mikveh Israel in the same year. A founder of Beth Shalome Congregation, Elcan was a successful merchant and highly respected citizen; his will provided an endowment of $1,000 to the Richmond Charity School. A man of cultural attainments, he willed his considerable library of almost 200 volumes to Joseph Marx, a friend and one of his executors. Elcan's widow, Phila (c. 1760–1820), is buried in the cemetery of Touro Synagogue, Newport, Rhode Island.

bibliography:

Rosenbloom, Biog Dict, 34.

[Saul Viener]