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THOMAS J. ELLIOTT was one of the honored
early settlers and representative men of Christian County. From his early years he was obliged to depend upon his
own resources, and was a self-educated and self-made man. He was a native of Illinois, having been born in Clay County on the 16th of February, 1829. He became a resident of this county
in 1853, and was located in Taylorville Township, on section 29, for about a quarter of a century.
His father dying when he was young, Mr.
Elliott began working when only about nine years old, and received for a number of years only twenty-five cents
per day for his services. His education was necessarily very limited, and it was owing to his habits of study and
desire for information that he acquired such as he possessed. After living for a number of years in his native
county, he went to Sangamon County, where he made
his home for some time, and, as previously stated, came to Christian County in 1853. For some years he was a resident
of Bear Creek Township, thence removing to Taylorville Township. In 1868 he purchased a farm of one hundred and
thirty acres, to the cultivation of which he devoted himself during the remainder of his life. He afterward purchased
another thirty-acre tract, and there engaged in general farming and stock-raising with good success.
On the 26th of December, 1868, was celebrated
the marriage of Mr. Elliott and Miss Ruth Clayton, who was born in Sangamon County, and removed with her parents, Jefferson and Elizabeth (Scott) Clayton, to Christian County when
she was a little girl. To our subject and his wife was born a family of eight children, who, with the exception
of one, are still living. They are as follows: Luella, Alvin I., Minnie E., Worthy E.. Dwight, Ida M., Franklin
O. and Leda G. Myrtle is deceased.
The death of Mr. Elliott occurred on the
12th of February, 1888, and his mortal remains were placed to rest in the Taylorville Cemetery. In politics, he
was ever to be found in the ranks of the Democratic party, and was greatly interested in promoting the welfare of the community with which his lot was cast.
His widow and children are still living on the old homestead, and occupy a high place in the friendship and good-will
of their friends and neighbors.
Mr. Elliott's course in life deserves the
highest commendation, as he was possessed of a courage and fortitude which surmounted all obstacles in his pathway.
Of these there were truly more than falls to the lot of most men, but he at last reached the goal of his hopes,
becoming a good citizen, a practical and progressive farmer, and a friend who could be ever relied upon.
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