George L. Elliott
GEORGE L. ELLIOTT, deceased, for many years a leading jeweler of Muncie, was born January 28, 1831, at the town of Chardon, Geauga county, Ohio. His parents, Edmund G. and Nancy (Taylor) Elliott, were natives of New England, born, reared and married in the state of Massachusetts. Shortly after their marriage they removed to Ohio, and for a number of years Edmund Elliott carried on the jewelry business at Chardon and Springfield, that state. Subsequently, he removed to Anderson, Ind., where his death occurred after a long, active and successful business career; his wife following him to the grave a short time after. Edmund and Nancy Elliott reared a family of five children, all sons, namely: Jerome, Alfred, George L., Ozias and Dallas K., of whom Jerome, Alfred and George L. are deceased.
George L. Elliott began learning the jeweler's trade at the age of thirteen with his father, and after acquiring great skill and proficiency in his chosen calling worked at the same with his father until about 1854, at which time he went to Cincinnati, where he remained for a limited period, returning home the following year. In May, 1855, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Smith, daughter of John and Ruth (Marshall) Smith of Greene County, Ohio, removing in August of the same year to Muncie, Ind., where he rented a window and engaged in repairing watches, jewelry, etc., on a very moderate scale. Later he entered the employ of Armstead Klein, with whom he remained a short time, and then opened an establishment of his own on the corner of Main and Walnut streets, where he continued the trade for a period of nearly forty years, during which time he became one of the best known and most popular business men of Muncie. In all his relations with his fellow-men Mr. Elliott was the soul of honor, and his kindness of heart and uniform courtesy were the subjects of remark by all, and became proverbial throughout Muncie and Delaware county. "Uncle George", as he was familiarly called, always had a cheerful word and pleasant greeting for everyone, and he was one of those noble characters whose very presence exerted a genial influence throughout the community -one of nature's noblemen, whose honest impulses were manifested in every act of his life. In the home circle he was a model of gentleness, and his daughter, with whom he was ever on terms of the closest intimacy, cannot recall the memory of an unkind word or act. In his religious belief Mr. Elliott was a Universalist, but he encouraged all churches, irrespective of doctrine or creed, and was ever in hearty sympathy with all movements of a benevolent or philanthropic nature. Politically he was an active supporter of the democratic party, and fraternally was identified with Delaware lodge, No. 46, A.F. & A.M., and DeEmber tribe, No. 30, Improved Order of Red Men. He was noted as a friend of the poor and needy, was kindly disposed to all, and died, as he had lived, possessing the profound respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens. His death occurred on the 1st day of April, 1892, and his remains were followed to their final place of repose by one of the largest funeral corteges ever seen on the streets of Muncie. Mr. Elliott was the father of one child, a daughter, Ida M., wife of John H. Ritter, an able optician, who resides in the city at the present time.
From A Portrait and Biographical Record of Delaware and Randloph Counties, Ind., A.W. Bowen & Co., 1894