E. A. Elam (1855–1929)

His parents were of the Baptist faith at first because they had not studied the Bible. His father heard Tolbert Fanning preach the gospel, and he at once made a study of the New Testament and found the light and beauty of the truth. He immediately became a Christian and taught his children the way of the Lord.

Edwin was a Gospel preacher and writer for the Gospel Advocate. He is listed in Ligon's Portraiture of preachers.

Brother Elam first received educational training in the county schools near his home. He began teaching in the public school in his neighborhood at the age of seventeen. He was a success as a teacher from the beginning. After teaching one term, he entered Franklin College in 1872. The college was then run by Prof. Jack Fanning, a half brother of Tolbert Fanning. He attended school for one session and then taught for a session. He continued this for a few years. In February, 1876, he entered Burritt College, which was presided over at that time by W. D. Carnes. He would attend school for one session and then teach in the public school for a session, continuing this until he graduated from Burritt College in 1879, when T. W. Brents was president of the college. In the fall of 1879 he went to Mars' Hill, Ala., and began teaching with the lamented T. B. Larimore, and continued his work with Brother Larimore for one year. During this time he began preaching. He preached his first sermon in the courthouse in Florence, Ala. There was no church house owned by the disciples there at that time. At the close of the school year there he entered into evangelistic work and gave all of his time to preaching.

He wrote the Uniform Lessons for Sunday-school literature for nearly thirty years. His lessons were clear, convincing, thorough, and Scriptural.