The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-07-21
An Old Timer

1rIn LIlAL NE mas Deem lhNOTtu Win.
An0id Timer.
Mr.. l.. c.. Elliott, better known as
Uncle Pomp Elliott" who now repre-
sents the town of Buffalo Prairie on the
board OF supervisors, is one of the early
settlers in Rock Island county, and for a
great many years has been one of its
most prominent citizens. While in the
city last week reporter had n short talk
with Uncle Pomp,' and will give the
readers of the ARGUS few points which
he remembers in the gentlemans history
1t was in the year 1915 that Mr.. Elliott
and his family, which consisted of his
wife and two little ones, arrived in a
prairie schooner from the great state of
New York, and located in what is now
called Buffalo Prairie township. Mr.
Elliott's brother and family were among
the party, and they all settled together.
From Chicago their goods were shipped
to Dixon which was then the nearest
trading post to Rock Island. This coun-
ty was then nothing but wilderness.
The pioneers spent their first winter here
in making fence rails, which found
ready market. At that time wheat was
worth 35 cents per bushel, and pork from
$3.50 to 50 per hundred. Very little
money changed hands, business being
conducted by trading one article for ans
other. Judge Lynde, of this city, and
Chas. Ainsworth, of Moline, had store
in Rock Island, and Mr.. Elliott disposed
of his hogs to them. Rock Island was a
small place at that time Besides the
store above mentioned, } NJ Moore con-
Quoted hardware establishment and Ma.
poleon Buford kept general store and
another at Andalusia Most of the set
tiers were very poor, but they found a
true friend in the latter gentleman. Mr..
Elliott had to buy on credit At the end
of the first year be was in Mr.. Buford's
debt $3.50. Ore day the store keeper
dropped in upon him to take dinner, say
ing he wanted to ascertain what kind of q
man he (ElliotD was, and whether there
was any chance of getting any money from
him BIr. Buford went away perfectly
satisfied, and after that "POmps" credit
was good for any amount at the store.
One day Mr.. Elliott started for Pre-
emption on business, and it took him
quite while to reach his destination on
account of the unsettled condition of the
country From Graham Lees house al
Hamlet to Presumption, a distance of 1C
miles, he did not see single house
Game of all kind was very
plentiful.
The high regard in which his neighbor:
hold 'Uucle Pomp" is no better illustrated
than to mention the numerous positions
of trust in which they have placed him
He is now serving his eighth term as su
pervisor, having first been elected in 1860
The first Office he filled was that Of roaC
supervisor in 1916, the territory owe
which he had supervision being two mile
in width and seven in length. In 1885,
he was elected judge of election for three
wears. He served as school director ant
trustee for fifteen years in early days
He is also now serving his second tern
as justice of the peace.
Politically Mr.. Elliott is a staunch dem
ocrat and since reaching his majority ha
adhered to the party with marked fidelity
His first vote for president was cast TO
James X. Polk in 1914. He has beef
blessed with twelve children, nine o
whom are now living. OF this numbe
six are girls and three boys. One of hi
sons, Mr.. N. G. Elliot, has recently bee
appointed postmaster at Buffalo Prairie
Mr.. Elliot is now in his sixty-seventh yea
and enjoys good health. Notwithstand
ing his age he makes an excellent super
visor and in debate or committee work
fully able TO hold his own.