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         RICHARD ELLIOTT, a farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 2, Washington Township, Des Moines County, came to the county in 1865, purchasing eighty acres of raw prairie land, which he immediately began to cultivate. In the fall of 1866 he had erected a comfortable residence, together with a barn and other out-buildings necessary to a well-regulated farm. He has added to his original purchase 160 acres in Louisa County, and his land is all under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Elliott was born in Preble County, Ohio, Nov. 4, 1835, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Stevenson) Elliott, who were natives of County Antrim, Ireland. Their union was celebrated after coming to America. Mr. Elliott engaged in farming in the Buckeye State until about the year 1855, when he removed to Randolph County, Ill., residing there until his death, which occurred in 1862. The mother was called to her final home March 5, 1850, while living in Logan County, Ohio. This worthy couple were parents of twelve children, ten sons and two daughters, and with the exception of two sons, Harvey and Elihu, all reached maturity.

The union of Richard Elliott and Miss Nancy A. Woodside, of Randolph County, Ill., was celebrated on the 9th of December, 1857. The lady is a daughter of John J. and Mary A. (Burns) Woodside, the father a native of Kentucky, and the mother of the District of Columbia. Mr. Woodside was of German origin, his wife being of Scotch-Irish parentage, and they were pioneer settlers of Illinois. They are still residing in Randolph County, that State, and are the parents of nine children, six of whom grew to man and womanhood.

Our subject and his excellent wife have reared an interesting family of nine children: William J., who married Jennie Crow, of Morning Sun, Iowa, is now living in Superior, Neb.; John C.; Anna Mary, wife of William R. McElhinney, of Des Moines county, Iowa; Edith Arnetta, who wedded J. C. Wilson, also a resident of that county; Robert B., David C., Margaret A., Della and Delber. Both Mr. and Mrs. Elliott are members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, in which he has held the office of Deacon, and is at present one of the Elders. The church to which he belongs forbids its members taking part in politics, and holds that the Scriptures should be recognized as the “supreme law of the land.” Under a modified oath, however, Mr. Elliott has held the office of School Director. His is a model family, and he is recognized as one of Washington Township’s best citizens.