JOHN ELLIOTT, a retired farmer, living at the corner of Jackson and Seventh streets in Beardstown, Illinois, was born in county Antrim, Ireland, November, 1820. He came of Scotch ancestry, of a very old family of pure blood, not mixed with Irish by marriage. He is the son of William Elliott of the same place, a farmer and a keeper of a public inn, who lived and died in that county at the age of forty years. His grandfather was David Elliott, a farmer of Scotland, who died when quite old. William Elliott was married to an Antrim lady of Scotch blood, whose name was Mary Thompson. She was the daughter of Robert and Mattie (Richie) Thompson, who were county Antrim farmers, and there Robert Thompson spent his last years, but his wife came with her son at an early day to Virginia, Cass County, Illinois.

John Elliott came of a large family, grew up in his native county, learned the tailor trade and afterward with his mother and brothers, in 1841, came to America and joined other brothers in Connecticut. In 1845 the mother and son came on to Cass county. Some worked the farm, and other followed their trade. The mother made her home with her children until her death, which occurred in 1877, aged eighty-four. She was a noble-hearted woman and had done much to help and encourage her children. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, a great student of Scotch history and literature, a fine reader of the Scotch dialect and a writer of some local repute. She also composed some music, which has been considered very fine. She is remembered as a noble, generous woman.

He lived for some years in Beardstown, working at his trade and with the money he made and saved, with his brother, David, he bought 160 acres of land near Virginia, later sold it and then purchased the 160 acres that became his home until his retirement. His farm, the scene of his labors, lies near the city of Beardstown. The land is highly improved, and has good buildings, and as he now enjoys the comforts of life he can remember that they have been obtained by his own efforts.

He was married the first time in Connecticut, to Margaret Frey of Ireland, who came to the United States in 1841, and after forty-eight years of married life left a bereaved husband, in 1890. The living children are: William W., of San Francisco, California; Thomas F., of Jewell county, Kansas; George W. of Holliday, Kansas; Robert S. of St. Louis, Missouri; Lucy A., wife of John Thompson of Jewell county, Kansas; and David H., now running his father's farm. Mr. Elliott was married a second time in this county, to Mrs. Ann E. Johnson, formerly, Hiles. She was born in New Jersey, December 12, 1823. She and her first husband came to Macoupin county in 1856, and he died there.

Mr. and Mrs. Elliott are members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Elliott is a Republican in politics and was a Whig.