No, have not yet found and answer. Part of my problem is that with the "Elias" name it started as "von Elias" but none of the records I have located show the "von" part. Also, it is possible that I am not using the proper baptismal name as I do not know the names of Balthasar nor Nic's parents, nor Gottlieb's. After reading a recent article on German naming customs I might now know my problem - just not sure quite how to solve it yet. Also, family lore as it that Nic was fleeing from military service. I do know that he and Balthasar (and Balthasar's wife, Mary Kremer Elias) all came over together in 1855 - unknown what ship or port they departed from. Other than knowing he was from "Prussia" (and I know that can be vague) I don't know anything about them until they hit American soil.