Willis Willard Elliott Celebrates 100 Years!

I came upon a photo copy of a clipping from an Independence Oregon area newspaper.  I have provided a transcription of the article below.

It is important to note that not only did the Kinman Elliot I referenced in previous posts migrate to Oregon, but his father Willis and Susanna and many of his siblings did as well.  This article might suggest that Kinman was not the first to migrate to Western Oregon as previously thought.  Both Willis and Kinman lived in Nebraska which could suggest their migration to Oregon was a combined endeavor.  According to this clipping, Willis eventually settled near or with his Daughter, Susannah, in Bridgeport.  Kinman settled in Lebanon (possibly the first Elliott to do so), while his siblings were scattered throughout Western Oregon namely in Portland, Prineville, and parts of Southern Oregon.

Transcription of Text:

Willis Elliott, Of Bridgeport 

(From a photograph take on his birthday)

Independence, Or., Aug. 8 -- Willie Elliott celebrated his 100th birthday yesterday at the home of his son-in-law, John Rhodes, at Bridgeport, about eight miles from Dalles.  In the afternoon religious services were conducted by Elder Matthews, of Wheatland, as stated by Elder Turnidge.  The text was chosen by the centenarian himself, being the first chapter of St. John.  Photographs of the group and of Mr. Elliott were then taken.

Willis Elliott was born in North Carolina, August 7, 1799.  He was of German descent (his mother was a german immigrant).  Leaving North Carolina, he moved to Missouri, thence to Nebraska.  From Nebraska he was married to Miss Polly Vanderpool, who died December 20, 1880, aged 80 years.  Of this union 11 children were born.  There names are: William Elliott, who was killed at the battle of Lone Oak, in the civil war; Mrs. Ellen Hedgepeth, now living in Southern Oregon; Mrs. Susannah Rhodes of Bridgeport; John Elliott of Prineville; Mrs. Phoebe Kelly, of Kansas; Kinman Elliott, of Lebanon; Jeremiah Elliott, who died from wounds received in the battle of Corinth; Mrs. Elisa Jane Hedgepeth, of Southern Oregon; David Elliott, of Idaho; J. W. Elliott, of near Prinville, and Mrs. Tabitha Lawrence, of Eddyville, Lincoln county.  Mr. Elliott has 88 grandchildren, 269 great-grandchildren, and 66 great-great grandchildren.  At the celebration there were about 60 present -- one son and two daughters, seven grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren.  Of the fifth generation, Miss Vivian Baugher, of Portland, is the oldest. She is 17 years old.  David Gell, of Portland, is the youngest.  He is 18 months old.

Mr. Elliott served throughout the civil war as a private in General Lee's army (yes, Elliott's fought on the side of the confederacy); and though wealthy, lost everything in the war (including two sons it would seem).  He is wonderfully well preserved, both physically and mentally, and is so well versed in the Scripture that he can quote the Bible from cover to cover.  He could read without glasses until a few years ago. 

This article only begs additional questions.  For example:  It would seem that Willis and Kinman took the same migration path from Missouri to Nebraska then onto Oregon.  Who else in his Willis' family made the migration with him (I'm certain to discover as I do the research on Willis and Polly's children)?  The article claims that Willis was "wealthy" but lost everything in the civil war.  Where did Willis' wealth come from?  How did the Elliott's initially immigrate to North Carolina?  All questions I yet hope to discover answers to.

What questions do you have about this article?  Please comment or if you have questions or information, please send to tim.degraw04@gmail.com.