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John Milton
Elliott, Lawyer and Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals, was a son of John
Lloyd Elliott and his wife, Jane Ritchie Elliott. He was born May 16, 1820 on
the banks of the Clinch River in Scott County, Virginia. His father whose
ancestors were Scottish having come to American in the early 1600's was a
farmer.
John Milton was a politician of some note, having served in both branches of
the Kentucky Legislature several years. Two of these terms he represented
Lawrence County. His mother Jane Ritchie Elliott, was a native of Virginia and
a close relative of Thomas Ritchie, former editor of the Richmond Enquirer.
In 1842, John Milton Elliott began the study of law under Col. Henry C. Harris
of Prestonsburg, who served in the House of Representatives from Floyd County
in 1834, '35, and '38. Upon receiving admittance to the bar Elliott opened an
office in Prestonsburg and practiced there twenty years.
In 1847 he was elected to Congress from the Sixth District and was elected a
second time to the Legislature from Floyd and Johnson Counties, but soon
afterward he was expelled for giving aid to the South. He immediately joined
the Confederate Army under Gen. John S. Williams.
In 1862 he ran for Congress of the Confederate States, a position he easily won
and held for the duration of the war. Soon after the close of the war he moved
to Bath County. In 1868 he was elected Circuit Judge of the Thirteenth Judicial
District for six years.
In 1874 he moved to Catlettsburg. In 1874 was elected Judge of the Court of
Appeals for the First Appellate District of Kentucky.
In 1848 Judge Elliott married Susan J. Smith, daughter of William M. Smith of
Prestonsburg.
Judge Elliott was a brilliant orator and an excellent debater. A man not easily
swayed but who took issues under consideration and after much thought, took a
stand and stayed with it.
In 1869 Elliott County, Kentucky was formed and named for Judge John M.
Elliott, a distinction few men achieved during their life time.