From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Overton Elkins, who resided at Fourteen Mile Creek in Lincoln County, West Virginia:
Is a son of Harvey and Elizabeth D. (May) Elkins, who were living here before the organization of Lincoln county. Overton Elkins was born in what was then Logan county, Virginia, December 20, 1831, and in Wayne county, March 31, 1853, by the Rev. D.K. Elkins, he was joined in marriage with Nancy Estep. She was born in Wayne county, December 25, 1838, and her parents were Corbin and Elizabeth (Davis) Estep. To Mr. and Mrs. Elkins ten children have been given: William F., born May 2, 1856; Pheribe E., May 1, 1858; Clarinda, March 18, 1860; Mary Jane, June 29, 1862; Luanna, May 30, 1864; Nancy E., March 18, 1866; Bethany C., March 9, 1868, died February 26, 1879; Emily, September 23, 1870; Erlery C., June 25, 1872; Susan R., August 10, 1877. Miles Elkins, brother of Overton, was in the late war, and served from the commencement until the close, and came home without a scar. Shadrack Estep, brother of Mrs. Elkins, served in the Confederate ranks in the war of 1861, and David J. and William O., also her brothers, were in the Federal army, 25th Virginia Regiment. William O. died soon after the close of the war from illness brought on during the service. Richard Elkins, grandfather of Overton, built the first cabin in Hart Creek district, (now) Lincoln county, about the year 1816, when Harvey, Overton’s father, was but fifteen years of age. Darby H., brother of Harvey, at the age of nine years killed a panther with a pocket knife and the assistance of his dogs. The animal measured nearly nine feet from the nose to the tip of the tail. Mr. Elkins’ mother was born January 10, 1800, and at the date of this writing (July 25, 1883) she can walk twenty miles a day. Overton Elkins is a farmer in Hart Creek district, owning 100 acres of land on Fourteen-mile creek of Guyandotte river, 30 acres under cultivation. His farm is rich and very productive, contains coal, some lead and fine building stone.
Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 133.