Jehu Elliott: Logansport businessman, Republican, Mason

By RICHARD COPELAND

History Buff



The Elliott family came to Logansport with the Shroyer family from New Castle. Jehu Elliott was married to Caroline Shroyer. Dewitt C. Elliott and A.R. Shroyer were in the dry goods business together in New Castle before coming to Logansport in 1865.

Jehu T. Elliott was born in Cambridge City on March 24, 1844, to William and Eliza Branson Elliott. Jehu received a very poor education at that time. He left home at the age of 12. Jehu went to work for this brother, Dewitt Clinton Elliott, who owned a dry goods business in New Castle. A.R. Shroyer was a business partner with Dewitt in the Shroyer and Elliott Company. The company moved to Logansport in 1865, and under the new ownership of Lewis H. Hicks, Henry R. Shroyer and Dewitt Elliott opened for business at 313-315 East Broadway. In 1870, A.J. Pogue bought out Mr. Hick’s part of the business. Jehu moved to Chicago and worked as a bookkeeper in a meat packing plant. The job in Chicago lasted only until 1871 so he returned to Logansport.

Jehu married Caroline Shroyer and had three children, Harry, Esther Uhl and Arethusa Bliss. Jehu and Caroline raised their children at 204 Eel River Avenue.

After his return to Logansport, Jehu began working for Elliott, Pogue and Shroyer in the wholesale grocery business. Dewitt died in 1889. Mr. Shroyer withdrew from the company and Jehu became the sole owner of the business in 1890. A new company was formed called J. T. Elliott and Sons.

Jehu became a power in the Republican Party. He was elected to the Logansport School Board and helped guide the school system for 18 years. Jehu became a Mason in 1866, and was on the Board of Directors when the new Masonic Temple was constructed. He belonged to the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen and the Traveling Men’s Protective Association. Jehu was treasurer of the Methodist Episcopal Church for 35 years. He was a member of the Elks and was a director that helped build the Elks building at the corner of North and Fifth Streets. Jehu became a director of the State National Bank. This position did cause the Elliott Company some financial difficulties.

Harry Elliott, son of Jehu, married Maude Castle, the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Castle, on April 19, 1900. The young couple lived at 204 Eel River for a time but moved to 930 North St. Harry and Maude had seven children, Elizabeth, Julia, Catherine, John, Raymond, Richard, Robert and William. The family attended the Ninth Street Christian Church.

Harry was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court. After moving to North Street, Harry became secretary and vice-president of the Elliott Grocery Company that was situated at 309-315 E. Broadway. Harry was elected a director of the Driving Horse Association. He loved racing and horses. His horse, Chelsea, defeated Lady Coleridge in a race on Sept. 21, 1887.

Harry’s daughter, Elizabeth graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music located in Boston, Mass., where she belonged to Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. After she became a widow, Elizabeth acted as house mother for the sorority at Purdue and the University of California at Berkley. She died April 24, 1969.

Harry’s son, John, took over the operation of the Elliott Grocery Company located at 419-423 S. Third St.

Jehu Elliott died Jan. 23, 1925. His wife, Caroline, died April 4, 1931.

The material for this article came from the Pharos-Tribune, Powell’s History of Cass County, the Arthington Papers and This Changing World by Will Ball.

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