Dr. Charles P. Elliott, son of Irwin and Mary Turner Elliott, was born October 30, 1878 at Black Earth, Wisconsin. Irwin Elliott was the son of John Elliott, one of three pioneer settlers of that community.
Irwin left the family at Black Earth at an early age and engaged in a number of more or less exciting frontier jobs, including that of an Army wagoneer, delivering supplies to the frontier forts in the Dakotas. He eventually returned to Black Earth and after marriage to Mary Turner and the birth of Charles, the family homesteaded on the Goose River in Trail County, Dakota Territory.
On this farm Charles Elliott grew to manhood. He attended the school at Caledonia, where the Hudson Bay Fur Company had a flour or grist mill.
After graduating from high school, Charles attended the Agricultural College, the Columbia Optical College and the Stone Watchmaking School in Chicago. Later, he took post-graduate work at the University of Pennsylvania School of Optometry.
He practiced his profession in Lemon, South Dakota and then at Lisbon, North Dakota, where he married Audrey Stevens Harris on June 10, 1910. Audrey Harris was born June 6, 1889 at Lisbon, North Dakota to Thomas Jefferson Jackson Harris and Herron. Thomas Harris was a pioneer settler. in Ransom County and the County Auditor.
Five children were born to Charles and Audrey Elliott: Thomas P. (February 28, 1911); Lois Mae (January 1, 13); Glenn T. (November 17, 1914); Raymond A. (December 5, 1917) and Dwight (May 11, 19). All are living with the exception of Glenn T. who was killed in the Battle of the Bulge in World War 2 and is buried in the Hamm, Luxembourg, Cemetery.
In 1923 the family moved to Valley City and Dr. Charles Elliott opened his practice in the Rudolf Hotel Building, where he practiced for nearly forty years.
Both Dr. Charles Elliott and Audrey Elliott were members of the United Epworth Methodist Church where Dr. Elliott was the church treasurer for many years. Audrey Elliott was active in the Ladies Aid and other activities of the church. Dr. Elliott was a member of the Board of Trustees for many years.
Dr. Elliott was honored by being elected to two terms as President of the North Dakota State Optometric Association. He was also active in and treasurer of the local chapter of the Modern Woodman Lodge and the Odd Fellows Lodge.
Thomas P. Elliott, oldest son, married Esther C. Clausen of Devils Lake and they live in Valley City. Lois M. is married to Glenn McCleary and they live in Phoenix, Arizona. Raymond is married to Grace Strom and they live in Atwater, California.
Dr. Charles Elliott passed away September 10, 1962. Audrey Elliott lives in the family home near the home of Thomas P. Elliott.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 61