Eagle County CO Archives Biographies.....Elliott, Thomas C. December 7, 1858 - ? ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/co/cofiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net February 18, 2006, 11:38 pm Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado This enterprising and progressive citizen of Eagle county, who is held in the highest esteem for the care he has taken of his mother since his father’s tragic death, and the capacity he has shown in managing his affairs and his excellent and elevating citizenship, was born in Buchanan county, Missouri, on December 7, 1858. He was educated in the common schools, receiving only a limited scholastic training for the battle of life, but his subsequent experience has made him a broad-minded and well informed man. His ranch of one hundred and twenty acres, twenty miles northwest of Wolcott on Rock creek, was secured by purchase and has been highly improved by him. It is located in one of the most beautiful regions on the Western slope, and his careful husbandry, tasteful improvements and vigorous management of all its interests make it one of the choice pieces of property in this region. In addition to working his own ranch well and profitably, he superintends his mother’s of one hundred and sixty acres, which lies near his. On both hay, grain and hardy vegetables are raised with success, but cattle prove the main resource. The water rights are independent and abundant in supply for the cultivation of a large part of each property, and every element of progress and prosperity on the places is used to advantage. In political matters Mr. Elliott is independent, but he is earnest in the service of his people along every line of public improvement and comfort. On June 25, 1893, he united in marriage with Miss Lottie Montgomery, a native of Butler county, Pennsylvania. They have five children, Lala P., William M., Ada M., Wesley I and Nannie L. Mr. Elliott is the son of Abraham and Nannie (Irvine) Elliott, who were born and reared in Kentucky and moved to Missouri soon after their marriage, making their home at St. Joseph. There the father engaged in merchandising until 1869, when he sold his business and moved to Deer Lodge, Montana, being among the early settlers at that place. There he followed merchandising one year and then engaged in the cattle business until 1876, when he moved to Colorado, and camped in Middle Park from the fall of that year until June of the next. At that time he crossed the range and located at Manitou Park, twenty miles west of Colorado Springs. He was occupied in the cattle industry a year at Manitou Park, at the end of which he returned to Middle Park, but lived only six weeks longer, being killed by the Indians while in the peaceful discharge of his domestic duties and without being guilty of the slightest wrong to the infuriated savages, the tragedy occurring on September 3, 1878. His death created a profound indignation throughout a wide extent of the surrounding country, for he was recognized as a man of the highest character, prominent in business circles and full of potential and wholesome enterprise for the good of the state. The cause of his death was a malignant spite of the southern Utes against the white people in general and those of this section in particular, and a determination to be revenged for supposed injuries at their hands. While a party of these Indians were out on a buffalo hunt, they killed a Mr. McLain, and on their arrival at Denver were promptly arrested by order of Governor Routt. They were, however, released without punishment for the crime, and then became intoxicated and noisy. Moving on to Middle Park, one of them was slain by Big Foot Frank, and impelled by a desire for revenge came in sight of Mr. Elliott, who was at his wood pile about four o’clock in the afternoon, getting wood for the kitchen fire. He had been putting up his hay and making arrangements to move back to Manitou Park in order to avoid trouble with all Indians, but as soon as these marauders saw him they shot him to death in the most dastardly and cowardly manner. He was a loyal Democrat in politics and an ardent member of the Masonic order. He and his wife were the parents of two children, their daughter Ellen C., who died on July 12, 1865, and their son Thomas C. After his death his widow disposed of the Middle Park property and moved to Manitou Park, where she remained until 1879, when she took up her residence at Fort Collins. Four months later she concluded to locate on Rock creek, and here she has made her home since 1880. Her son has stood by her manfully and given close attention to all her interests. His parents’ first trip to the Northwest was made up the Missouri to Fort Benton on the steamer “Lily Martin,” in command of Captain Patterson, which started from Atchinson, Kansas, on April 14, 1865. From Fort Benton to Helena, Montana, they traveled by a mule train. The second trip was up by the Missouri from St. Joseph to Fort Benton on the steamer “Only Chance.” They made two round trips in all for the benefit of Mrs. Elliott’s health. While at that early day the country was wildly picturesque and travel was full of incident and interest, it was also hazardous, every hour fraught with danger and every shadow likely to conceal a foe. They, however, escaped disaster and found their long journeys of great benefit and bountiful in enjoyment. Additional Comments: From Progressive Men of Western Colorado. Chicago: A.W. Bowen & Co., 1905 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/eagle/bios/elliott133gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cofiles/ File size: 5.9 Kb