John Elkins (May 12, 1815 – December 13, 1898) was an American jeweler and politician. Born in Piermont, New Hampshire, Elkins learned the jewelry trade in Boston, Massachusetts and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He worked in Saint Louis, Missouri, Rushville, Illinois, and Fort Madison, Iowa in the jewelry business. In 1843, Elkins moved to Southport, Wisconsin Territory and finally to Racine, Wisconsin in 1852 continued to work as a jeweler. Politically, Elkins was a Whig and then became a Republican, when he served in the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1873. Elkins also served on the school board. Elkins died at his home in Racine, Wisconsin.