Polk Co. IAGenWeb

ELLIOTT, JOHN A. — Was born on the twenty-fourth of September 1824, in Armagh, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, and remained there until, thirteen years of age, when he engaged as clerk in the store of an uncle, with whom he served two years. He received an academic education in his native county, and concluded to come West, and went to Ohio and en gaged in school teaching, continuing that for a short time and then returned to Pennsylvania. He was engaged in the mercantile business until 1853 when he removed to Wisconsin, engaged in merchandising four years, and in 1857 moved to Mitchell county, Iowa. There he followed farming for one year, and in 1858 was elected County Treasurer and Recorder, which offices he held until he was elected Auditor of State in 1864. In 1866 was renominated by acclamation, and also in 1868. During his term of office the finances were managed in a manner that insured the prompt payment of every warrant on presentation, and in this prosperous and satisfactory condition he turned the portfolio of office over to his successor. In ISTfr Mr. Elliott was engaged as land commissioner by the Des Moines Valley. Railroad Company, and entered at once upon the discharge of his duty and remained in this position three years. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens' National Bank, and held the offices of vice-president and cashier. Polk county is largely indebted to him for the interest taken in blooded stock, and his efforts in this direction have been a success. He is president of the State Insurance Company, mention of which is made in another part of this work. He married Miss Martha J. Henderson in 1849. She is a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Their family consists of three children: James H., Harry A. and Nellie H. (now Mrs. C. Wright).