Polk County >> 1890 Index

Portrait and Biographical Album of Polk County, Iowa...
Chicago: Lake City Publishing Co., 1890

E

Frederick E. Elliott, who resides on section 5, Delaware Township, is numbered among the honored pioneers of Polk County. He celebrated July 4 of 1847 by his arrival in Iowa and upon the farm on which he immediately located, procuring the same through a Mexican land warrant, he is still living.

The birth of Mr. Elliott occurred in Perquimans County, N. C., September 6, 1825, his parents being Foster and Penninah (Boyce) Elliott, who were also natives of the same State. Their family numbered nine children, five of whom were born in North Carolina. The father was a shoemaker by trade, but in the latter years of his life became an overseer on a large cotton plantation. Accompanied by his family, in 1828, he left North Carolina for the West. A short time was spent in Ohio, and the following year the party proceeded on their way to Vermilion County, Ill., where Mr. Elliott, Sr., purchased a farm. In connection with the operation of his land he also carried on a tanning business, and from the leather which he manufactured made shoes. Continuing his residence in Illinois until 1847, he then loaded his household effects into wagons drawn by ox-teams and started for Iowa, reaching his destination after three weeks travel. The same journey could now be made in twenty-four hours, which gives some idea of the wonderful progress made in the past third of a century. Few indeed were the settlers who had sought homes in Polk County at that time. Many were the hardships and trials to be endured, the disadvantages to be overcome and arduous were the tasks to be performed. Chicago was the nearest grain market, and after hauling their wheat that distance, one hundred and twenty miles, it brought only from thirty to fifty cents per bushel. Mr. Elliott entered two hundred and forty acres of land on section 5, Delaware Township, from which, ere his death, he had developed a good farm. His wife was called to her final rest in 1859, and on the 2 nd of October, 1865, the husband followed her to the home of the redeemed. Their earnest Christian lives were well worthy of emulation, and their many acquaintances felt deep and sincere regret at their deaths. Mr. Elliott was a true type of an Old Line Whig and was a personal friend and great admirer of Henry Clay. He was also much interested in educational matters, and for many years he was an able member of the School Board of Delaware Township.

The children of the family were as follows: Mary, wife of Benjamin Davis, came with her husband to Polk County in 1847, but both are now deceased; Rachel is the deceased wife of Joseph Thompson, a farmer of Saylor Township; Nancy, widow of Dillon Hayworth, is living in Lawrence County, Mo.; Frederick E. is the next younger; John accompanied the family to this State, but after a short time returned to Illinois and died in Champaign County; Dempsey, who removed to Kansas in 1857, died in Cowley County, that State, in June, 1885; Stephen, a Congregational minister, has charge of the church in Aurora, Mo.; Alfred is a farmer of Lawrence County, Mo.

Such educational advantages as the common schools afforded were received by our subject, but otherwise he is self-educated. His life has been an industrious one and from the age of sixteen years he has made his own way in the world. On leaving home he went to Warren County, Ind., where he secured work as a farm hand at $10 per month. For four years he spent the summer season in that pursuit, while during the winter he engaged in chopping wood at twenty-five cents per cord, cutting two and a half cords per day. Though such wages now seem very meager to us, Mr. Elliott succeeded in laying by $400 with which he embarked in business for himself.

Having now a prospect of securing a home, on the 14 th day of January, 1847, having won the affections of Miss Martina Bazleton, he led her to the marriage altar and the union of hearts was consumated by the union of hands. The lady is a native of Vermilion County, Ill. Being left fatherless at an early age she made her home with her grandfather, John Bazleton, with whom she resided until her marriage. A few months later the young couple came to Polk County, where they have since made their home. Mr. Elliott at once entered one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 5, Delaware Township, and in a little log cabin they began their domestic life. Some wigwams were yet seen in the neighborhood, but the red men gave very little trouble and soon afterward left the settlement. The history of the pioneer life would prove an interesting one if space would permit us to write it out in full. The youth of to-day can scarcely realize the condition of the country forty years ago. An old flint rifle was used by Mr. Elliott in kindling the fire; the farming implements were also of the most crude character; oxen were used in breaking land and hauling grain, and the homes of many of the settlers were little one-roomed log cabins. As prosperity attended the efforts of our subject he added to his landed possessions until at one time he owned one thousand and forty acres, situated on sections 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, Delaware Township, but the greater part of this he has since disposed of, giving some to his children and selling other tracts. The family now, however, operates one thousand and ten acres of land in the county, while Mr. Elliott owns five hundred and thirty-five acres, two hundred of which is comprised in the old homestead. Knowing the manner in which he started out in life, we see at once that he has been prospered abundantly, but no one is more deserving of success. He shunned no honest measure, but by industry, enterprise and forethought acquired his possessions. Other business interests have also occupied a portion of his time, he having been an extensive and successful stock-dealer. He is Vice President and Director in the American Savings Bank of Des Moines. Many worthy enterprises which are calculated to up-build the community and its best interests have received from him liberal contributions, and he has ever been recognized as a valued citizen; education and church work receive his hearty support and co-operation, and for fifteen years he has been Treasurer of the School Board. His ballot is cast in support of the Republican candidates, he having affiliated with that party since its formation.

But those who were benefited most by the liberality of Mr. Elliott were his children, thirteen in number. To them he gave excellent educational advantages and also bestowed upon them portions of his worldly goods, that they would not have to contend against the poverty and hardships which he met in earlier years. Almarinda, the eldest child, became the wife of T. J. Thornton, a farmer of Delaware Township, but is now deceased; William H. is living in the State of Washington; John F. is engaged in farming on section 3, Delaware Township; Francis M. follows the same occupation on the same section, and Albert W. also there makes his home; James C. is another farmer of Delaware Township; Alexander B. is teller in the American Savings Bank of Des Moines; Laura died in 1880 at the age of sixteen years; Elizabeth is the wife of William Yoder, a farmer of Delaware; George and Clara are at home; Charles died in 1880, at the age of seven years, and Etta is still with her parents.