Rev. S. A. ELLIOTT, who makes his home on section 26, Rice Township, is a native of Erie County, Pennsylvania, born October 21, 1836, a son of Comfort and Martha [Wheeler (ROWELL)] ELLIOTT. His parents were natives of the State of New Hampshire. They were possessed of sterling character and worth, and wherever they resided gained the respect and confidence of all who knew them.

His grandfather, Lemuel ROWELL, was seven years a Revolutionary soldier, and was wounded at Bunker Hill. His mother was a daughter of Chas. Carroll, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

In 1842 the family left Pennsylvania for Trumbull "County, Ohio, and there the father died in 1850, aged fifty years. In 1853, the mother, with her children, moved to Illinois, and made her home in Peoria County, where our subject grew to manhood.

In 1854 he experienced religion, uniting with the Methodist Episcopal church, entered the ministry, and in 1858 joined the Peoria Conference. October 27, 1859, he was married to Miss Louisa M. MARK, and to this union have been born eight children, six still living -- Mrs. Mattie A. BARNES, living in Leon, Decatur County, Iowa; Wm. C., A. W., Luella, Edna and Jessie. Anna Louisa died, aged six months, and Lillie M. died at the age of four and a half years.

In 1865 Mr. ELLIOTT asked for a location, and came to Iowa in 1866. He was admitted to the Des Moines Conference; and until 1875 he was actively engaged in the ministry, with the exception of one year, on the superannuated list. He is still engaged as a local preacher, and is always ready to impart religious instruction and consolation whenever and wherever he is called, and with pardonable pride he looks backward to over a quarter of a century of Christian work.

Mr. ELLIOTT in 1856 purchased 240 acres of Government land, which he now owns and occupies, since having added eighty acres, and now has a fine property of 320 acres. In politics Mr. ELLIOTT is a Republican and Prohibitionist, and is prominent in the councils of both interests. He is an active and public-spirited citizen, and is at present serving his fourth term as justice of the peace. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

NOTE: Rev. ELLIOTT'S first name has also been spelled as "Sherborne". Rev. ELLIOTT died at the age of 89 years on October 10, 1926. Louisa (MARK) ELLIOTT was born in Ross County, Ohio, on February 18, 1843, the daughter of William Fletcher & Jemima Jane (SIGNOR) MARK. She died at the age of 71 years on March 30, 1914. Rev. and Mrs. ELLIOTT were interrred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Iowa.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2010