"Capt." John Elliott
"Capt." John Elliott was one of the earliest settlers at Wapakoneta. He was for many years Government blacksmith under Col. John Johnston, the then Indian agent at that place. Johnston's successor, James B. Gardner, removed Mr. Elliott from his position, refused to settle with him, and ordered him off the reservation, and "confiscated" his cabin, garden, and tools, etc., and sent him away poor with a large family. Elliott applied to the Government through Gen. Cass, who refused relief, saying that there was no "precedent" for it.
Mr. Elliott concluded to go and see President Jackson. He went, found no difficulty in getting an interview with the President, and told him who he was, that he was the second man who set foot on the British shore at Maiden, Canada, in the war of 1812, and President Jackson became interested in him, and inquired what brought him to Washington. Mr. Elliott told him of the treatment he had experienced from Gardner. Gen. Jackson lent a willing ear He rose, took his hat and cane, and, merely saying, "Go with me, Mr. Elliott," walked down to the War Office "Gen. Cass, this is Mr Elliott, of Ohio," said Gen. Jackson; "audit his claim, and pay it. Good morning, sir." Nothing more was said. "Sit down Mr. Elliott," said the Secretary. In about twenty minutes the account was hunted out, Mr. Elliott had a warrant upon the treasury for his money, and was soon on his way home rejoicing.
Mr. Elliott had a family of eleven children, one of whom, Thomas, went west with the Shawnees in 1832, acting as interpreter, and died at Shawnee, Kansas, in 1849.
A number of Mr. Elliott's descendants still reside in this vicinity, and are much respected. He died at St. Marys, May 3, 1859, at an advanced age.
From History of Auglaize County, Ohio, with the Indian History of Wapakoneta, and the First Settlement of the County, Robert Sutton, Publishers, Wapakoneta, 1880