John L. Elliott, a successful man of affairs and president of the Ashton State Bank, Ashton, Kan., is a native of the Hawkeye State, although he has been a Kansan since he was eight years of age. Mr. Elliott was born on a farm in Fayette county, Iowa, May 21, 1860, and is a son of William P. and Mary C. (Mathias) Elliott, the former a native of Wayne county, Pennsylvania, born June 29, 1824, and in 1865 removed to Iowa, where he remained until 1868, when he came to Kansas, first settling in Johnson county. He remained there until 1877, when he went to Sumner county and bought 160 acres of land, upon which the town of Ashton is now located. William P. Elliott followed teaching in connection with farming most of his life, and was recognized as a very capable man. He spent the latter days of his life in Ashton, where he passed to his eternal reward, May 28, 1911. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a lifelong Republican. His wife was a native of Wooster, Ohio, born July 27, 1833. She was a true type of the noble Christian mother, and after a long and useful life, passed away, March 18, 1912. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Mary J.; Florence V., deceased; Leuretta, deceased; John L., the subject of this article, and Emma B., now the wife of E. A. Smith, of San Francisco, Cal. Mr. Smith bears the distinction of having performed the unique feat of driving an Alaska dog team from Nome, Alaska, throughout the United States, and visiting every State capital, during the years of 1911 and 1912.

John L. Elliott received his early education in the public schools of Johnson and Sumner counties. In 1891 he bought his first land and engaged in farming, and since then has added to his holdings from time to time, until he is now one of the large land owners of Sumner county. In 1894 he engaged in the general mercantile business on an extensive scale at Ashton, Kan., and also was engaged in the grain business. He met with success and prospered, and in 1909 organized the Ashton State Bank, and became its first president, a position which he still holds. The charter of this institution bears the date of November 15, 1909, and the initial capital was $10,000, which has been increased to $15,000. This bank has had a substantial and healthy growth under capable management, and is a substantial institution. Mr. Elliott was united in marriage October 16, 1901, to Miss Marie Peters, daughter of Echart and Christina (Beck) Peters, of Ashton, Kan. Mrs. Elliott was born in Columbus, Ohio, September 15, 1880. Her parents are natives of Germany, and came to America in 1866. To Mr. and Mrs. Elliott have been born one child: Forest P., born July 2, 1905. Mr. Elliott is one of the progressive business men of Sumner county, and is ever ready to support with his time and money any movement for advancing the well-being of the community. He was the first postmaster of Ashton, receiving the appointment in 1884, when the office was established on his farm. He is a Republican and a member of the Masonic lodge.