My Genealogy Hound

ALLEN ELLIOTT. Harlan county has not within its borders a more enterprising, public-spirited or more deserving citizen than the subject of this sketch, who is a son of Patrick and Catherine (Hawksby) Elliott, natives of Ireland. The father came to Nebraska in 1875, where he died the same year at the age of sixty-eight; his wife yet survives him and is living in this state with her son, the subject of this notice, being now in her seventy-fifth year.

Allen Elliott, the subject of this brief sketch, was born in Ireland in June, 1844. He immigrated with his parents to Canada, in 1848, but soon after moved to the State of New York, where he grew to manhood. He was reared on a farm and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. While in New York he married Miss Georgianna Hall, a native of that state, and the same year (1873) he moved to Nebraska. Being without means he was compelled to stop and seek employment. He made his first stop in Clay county and remained there one year, coming, in 1874, to Harlan county, where he has since resided. He, being among the first settlers, had his choice of the land, consequently he made a good section, both for soil and location. He located a homestead and timber claim on the west half of section 14, township 4, range 17, and after getting his land located and filed upon he at once began to make improvements. The first thing he did was to build a sod house, in which he lived till 1887, when he erected the present two-story frame in which he now lives. He has since added by purchase another half section to his farm, making him a full section of land, three hundred and fifty acres of which he has under cultivation. In addition to his farming he gives much time and attention to stock-raising, having herds of well-graded cattle and hogs. His first efforts at farming proved a failure, his crops being destroyed by the grasshoppers and drouths, but since that time he has been very successful. His crops have been good and for the past five years his wheat has averaged fully fifteen bushels to the acre. He started in with very limited means, not being able to buy a team with which to begin work on his farm, but by industry and good management he now has one of the best farms and is recognized as one of the most successful farmers in Harlan county. He has most of his farm under cultivation, as stated above, and has it well supplied with all necessary buildings, stock and implements, and what he has represents the labor of his own hands. To Mr. and Mrs. Elliott have been born eight children, as follows — Claude, Hall, Willis, George, Mary, Georgianna, Edna and Harrison.

Mr. Elliott has always been identified with the growth and development of his county. He has filled a number of local offices, serving as school treasurer many years, as county supervisor two terms, and is now a member of the legislature. He is also a member of the Farmers’ Alliance and takes much interest in all matters relating to agriculture and stock- growing. In politics he is a republican, being a zealous supporter of the teachings of his party. Mr. Elliott is placed among the most progressive and enlightened men in Antelope township, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.