Elijah Steele (November 13, 1817 – June 27, 1883) was an American attorney, jurist, Indian agent, and pioneer of Wisconsin and Northern California.

[3] In 1850, Steele traveled to California, prospecting at Shasta, Scott River, Greenhorn and Yreka, among other claims.

Before returning to the practice of law on a permanent basis during the mid-1850s, he engaged in a variety of occupations, including express company operator and driver, butcher and rancher.

As a Republican Party leader, Steele campaigned actively for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and was himself elected to the California State Assembly in 1867, where he served as chairman of the judiciary committee.

[4] Steele was elected a Superior Court judge for Siskiyou County in 1879 and held the office until his death.