Elliott, James J.

ELLIOTT, PARFITT

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Plym. CC (email)
Date: 2/21/2005 at 17:26:15

James J. Elliott

Among the well-known and successful farmers and stockmen of Elgin township, Plymouth county, is James J. Elliott, who was born at Dover Center, Ohio, on January 18, 1851, the son of William and Louisa (Parfitt) Elliott.

William and Louisa Elliott were born in England and there they received their education and grew to maturity and were married. William Elliott learned the joiners mill-wright trade, at which he worked in his native land for some years. Some time after his marriage Mr. Elliott came to the United States and for a time located at Rockport, Ohio, where he followed his trade and then established himself at Dover Center and he purchased a farm, and for the rest of his life he engaged in general farming and stock raising, with success. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are still living, but James J. is the only one who lives in Plymouth county.

James J. Elliott received his education in the schools of Dover Center and there grew to manhood on the home farm, where he assisted his father with the work and later rented the place for five years. In 1882 he left the farm in Ohio and came to Iowa, where he purchased his present farm in Elgin township. Here he and his brother, Henry, farmed the place together for three years, when his brother went to Chicago, Illinois. The farm at first consisted of one hundred and twenty acres, which has since been increased to three hundred and twenty acres and is known as the "Rose Valley Stock Farm," and is one of the finest in the township. Here Mr. Elliott is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He raises on an average one hundred acres of corn each year and fifty acres of small grain, and keeps a large number of cattle, hogs and sheep, and is today recognized as one of the most successful farmers of this section.

When he came to the county, Mr. Elliott had but little means, and it has been by hard work and rigid economy that Mr. Elliott and family have succeeded. They devoted their best interests to their work and being good managers, were soon on the road to success. He saw the great possibilities in the soil of this district and soon possessed himself of a farm. He believes in intensive farming, insofar as it can be carried on in this section, and the raising of much stock. His stock is of the best and his fields are evidence of the high cultivation which they receive.

In 1886 James J. Elliott was united in marriage to Ella Spicer, and to this union five children were born, four of whom are now living as follow; William Garfield, Leontine Edna, James John, Vernon Donaldson and Henry Clinton, the one that is deceased. Leontine Edna, before her marriage, taught several years in the Plymouth county schools. She is now the wife of Louis Croston and they are the parents of five children, whose names are Druella, Clarence, Frank, Margaret and Robert. The other children of the family are single and at home, working on the "Rose Valley Stock Farm."

Mr. and Mrs. Elliott and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and have always taken much interest in all branches of church work. For eight years Mr. Elliott was superintendent of the Dover, Ohio, Sunday school, and during his administration the school met with much success.

Mr. and Mrs. Elliott have a beautiful country home, all of the improvements having been placed by them. The house is a substantial and convenient structure and modern in every respect and the barn and other outbuildings are constructed for durability and comfort, and add much to the value and beauty of the place. The home is nicely located and presents a commanding view from the surrounding country.

Mr. Elliott has always taken a keen interest in local affairs and has been much interested in the development of the schools and the general growth and prosperity of the township. He is identified with the Republican party and has served his district for a number of years as school director. His acquaintance extends over the greater part of the county and he has many stanch friends in all sections of this commonwealth.

BOOK SOURCE:
History of Plymouth County, Iowa
Indianapolis, Ind.: B. F. Bowen, 1917