Edward W. Elliott

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Edward W. Elliott

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

Many of the ablest men in America are ardent devotees of the great basic industry of agriculture and it is well that this is so being the various learned professions are rapidly becoming so crowded with inefficient practitioners that in a few years it will be practically impossible for any but the exceptionally talented man to make good or even to gain a competent living therein. The independent farmer who, in addition to tilling the soil, cultivates his mind and retains his health, is a man much to be envied in these days of strenuous bustle and nervous energy. He lives his life as he chooses and is always safe from financial ravages and other troubles of the so-called "cliff-dweller". An able and representative agriculturist, who has done much to advance progress and conserve prosperity in Morris county, New Jersey, is Edward W. ELLIOTT, who is the owner of a finely improved farm in the vicinity of Mendham. Mr. ELLIOTT is likewise engaged in the timber business and owns and operates sawmills at Bernardsville and Ionia. He takes an active part in public affairs of his home community and has filed the office of mayor since the organization and incorporation of the borough of Mendham.

Edward W. ELLIOTT was born in Middlesex county, New Jersey, January 14, 1855, son of John and Margaret (COOPER) ELLIOTT, both natives of Ireland, whence they immigrated to the United States prior to their marriage. The father located in New Jersey and engaged in farming operations in Middlesex county, later settling in Morris county. He was an energetic worker and secured a competency prior to his demise, which occurred in 1879; he is buried in Illinois. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret COOPER, survived her honored husband for a number of years and she died in 1883, her remains being interred in Somerset county, New Jersey. Following are the children born to Mr. and Mrs. ELLIOTT: Edward W.; Frank C.; Mary, wife of William H. STEVENS, was a missionary in India for many years and she died in that country; Margaret, died at the age of seventeen years; Martha, twin of Margaret, is a popular and successful school teacher at Bernardsville, New Jersey; John, an attorney of note at New Haven, Connecticut; Thomas, died at twenty-four years; Robert; James; The two youngest children live in Morris county and Union county.

On the old homestead farm and in the invigorating country air, Edward W. ELLIOTT was reared to adult age. His early schooling consisted of such advantages as were afforded in the neighboring district schools, which he attended about three month each winter. During the remainder of the year he assisted his father in the management of the farm and he remained at home until his twenty-fifth year. He then purchased an estate in Mendham township, in the close vicinity of the village of Mendham, and here he has since maintained his home. His finely improved farm comprises 500 acres and is one of the fine rural estates in Morris county. In addition to agricultural and stock-raising pursuits, Mr. ELLIOTT is extensively interested in the timber business and in the latter connection owns and operates two saw mills – one at Bernardsville and the later at Ionia. His splendid success in life is purely the outcome of his own well directed endeavors. His business ability is well developed and the word failure is not in his vocabulary. His political support is given without stint to the Republican party in all affairs of national import but in local elections he exercises his franchise in favor of the man rather than party creed. Since 1907 Mr. ELLIOTT has been the popular and capable incumbent of the office of mayor of Mendham and in that connection he has introduced many important improvements for the good of the borough. He is likewise serving on the Mendham school board and is deeply and sincerely interested in the development of a better school system. In every sense he is a representative and substantial citizen, one of whom any community may well be proud.

April 12, 1882, Mr. ELLIOTT was united in marriage to Elizabeth M. WARD, a native of Mendham, New Jersey, daughter of Caleb H. and Rebecca Ann (THOMPSON) WARD, the former of whom was born in Essex county, New Jersey, and the latter in Morris county. During his lifetime Mr. WARD was engaged in business as a blacksmith and farmer, he died November 3, 1891, his wife died January 22, 1898. He and his wife had children a follows: Amanda, Anna, Luther, William, Malinda, Albert H., Elizabeth M., Lottie T., Hattie O. Mr. and Mrs. ELLIOTT have two daughters: May, wife of George Jackson FERRY Jr., and to them have been born Gladys, Marion and George Jackson; Margaret C., at home with her parents; three sons deceased: Harrison, Albert W., George Whitfield, the latter died at sixteen years of age. The ELLIOTT family are Methodists in their religious faith and he is president of the board of trustees in the church of that denomination at Mendham. Mrs. ELLIOTT is a woman of most pleasing personality and she and her husband are both held in high esteem by their neighbors and fellow citizens.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)