Beckham County, OK - Obits: James A. Elliott, 1927
21 Jan 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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ELLIOTT, JAMES A.
(6 Oct 1927, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
James A. Elliott was born August 7, 1843 in Ray county, Mo., and passed
away at Elk City, Okla., September 29, 1927, at the age of 84 years, 1
month and 22 days.
His early life was spent in Missouri where his parents lived and on Jan.
28, 1862, he enlisted in the Civil War service as a volunteer in Co. D,
6th Regiment of the Missouri State Militia Cavalry.  He was still quite a
youngster at the time of his enlistment, but very eager to serve his
country.  Next to his religion and his family came the love of his
country.  After three years service under Captain Turner, he was mustered
out at Springfield, Mo., March 21, 1865.
After his return to civilian life he was converted to Christianity under
the preaching of Joe McDonald at the old Knoxville church in Ray county. 
His life since that time has been that of a devoted Christian.  His
daughter has been heard to say she not remembered a time when he ever
failed to return thanks at the table, or to hold family prayer in the
evening.
He was united in marriage Sept. 29, 1867 to Mary Ann Alder.  To them were
born nine children, eight of whom with their mother have preceded him in
death.  With his wife he moved to Texas in the early years of his marriage
but the loss of two of the infant children born to them, coupled with the
loss of his own health, caused him to move back to Missouri.  He settled
down in Jasper county, continuing his consistent religious life, serving
as sexton of the Methodist church and also as Supt. of the Sunday school. 
It was one of his duties as sexton to toll the bell for funerals from his
own church and it soon became the custom to have him toll the bell from
the other churches, for no one else seemed to have so sure and sympathetic
a touch.
When the family later removed to Rayville, Mo., he worked in the Methodist
church there until the Baptist church was built when he transferred his
membership to that field of service, also being Supt. of the Sunday
school.  His conversion had been to the Baptist faith but until he lived
in Rayville, there had been no church of his choice available to worship
and work in.
After his wife's death in 1906, he came to Elk City to make his home with
his only remaining daughter, Mr. W. P. Snyder, at whose home he passed
away, and who so faithfully and lovingly cared for him in his last
illness.  Several years ago he transferred his membership to the local
Baptist church and had been a faithful attendant until failing health kept
him away during the past year.
His loss is mourned by his daughter, Mrs. W. P. Snyder, and her husband;
his only grand child, Wilma; his brother, John G. Elliott of Alba, Mo.;
his three sisters, Mrs. Sarah Myers, Alba, Mo.; Mrs. Elizabeth Madison,
Joplin, Mo., and Mrs. Mary Russell, Millville, Mo., besides a host of
friends.
Funeral services from the Grubitz Mortuary were conducted by Reverend
Shirley, pastor of the Baptist church, assisted by Reverend Lemmox, pastor
of the First Christian church.  His old and tried friends were his pall
bearers.  His body was laid to rest in East Fairlawn cemetery beside his
two little grandchildren.

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