THE ARTLIP FAMILY AND ELLIOTT

    In the year of 1907, Frank Walker brought his family from Randolph, Iowa to Elliott to live. He and his brother, John, ran a grocery store for a while. Frank was also affiliated with the Benshoofs in their cement block and brick yard.  Doris Walker (one of the daughters) was seven years old. Doris still lives in Elliott and often talks about her first view of Elliott from the train.

    Reuben Brace Artlip and Belle Perce were married January 28, 1884.  They moved on some land near the Lowman Church. They lived the greater part of their lives in the Elliott vicinity. 

    Reuben farmed land for many many years that is located two miles north of Elliott. Some of this land is still in the Artlip family.

    Delbert Artlip (Reuben's youngest son) was born in 1893 and lived in Elliott and this vicinity most of his life.  Delbert Arlip and  Doris Walker were married  December 4, 1917.

    After their marriage, Delbert ran a model T oil truck for the Collins Oil Company for a short time.  He barbered for a while.  While still a barber, he gradually worked into the used auto parts and salvage business.  He worked this operation for more than 25 years, and made a thriving business out of it.  In 1958 his youngest son, Bob, took over and still operates the business.

    From this marriage came seven children. In order they are: Fay, Dean, Maree, Charles "Buzz", Edith, Betty, and Bob.

     Of the six surviving children, three still live in Elliott, namely:

     Dean Artlip and wife (the former Nettie Belle Braden), two daughters, Sandy and Cathy.

     Edith Allen and husband Bob; daughter Kay and husband Marvin Keeton, and son Rick.   

     Bob Artlip and wife, (the former Sharon Cable), two Daughters: Amy, and Rachelle and husband Randy Ireland.

    There is a complete family tree of the Walkers and Artlips  gathered and recorded by Mrs. Charles (Buzz) Artlip.

     The parade that we had when we celebrated our 50^th year was a sight to behold; teams of oxen pulling covered wagons, a handful of Civil War Veterans, made quite an impression on a boy of nine years.

     Since that time many changes have come to our town. The large families are no more. For the record, I would like to mention a few that were very much in evidence while I was growing up: the Bill Lewis family, the Bill Nelson family, the Jay Askey family, the Dr. Jennings family and of course the Delbert Artlip family.

     Some of the changes that have occurred are depressing to me. The prairie sod and timber that used to surround us have disappeared and given way to farm land and the loss of our giant elm trees to dutch elm disease was a disaster.

      In spite of the tornado of ’28 and the great depression of the’30’s, our town still survives and thrives.

      To me, it is the greatest place on earth, and we, the Artlips, are proud to have been and to still be a part of it.