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Judge John Milton Elliott was born in Scott County, Virginia, May 18, 1820. He was a son of John A. Elliott, a farmer, who served in both branches of the Kentucky Legislature.
Judge Elliott located in Floyd County, Kentucky and began to practice law in 1841. In 1847, he was elected to the Kentucky Legislature. In 1852, he was elected to Congress and was re-elected in 1855-57 and 59. In 1861, he was again elected to the Kentucky Legislature from Floyd and Johnson Counties, but he was indicted in the United States Court, Judge Bland Ballard presiding, and he was expelled for, "directly or indirectly giving aid and comfort to the enemy." He then cast his fortunes with the South and represented the Ninth district in the Confedate Congress which assembled in Richmond, February 18, 1862, and he represented the Twelfth district in the two succeeding terms and until the downfall of the Confederacy. After the war he settled in Bath County, Kentucky and was elected Judge of the Circuit Court. His term expired in 1874 and two years later he was elected to represent the First Judicial district in the Supreme Court of the State.
He was a man above medium height with a clean shaven full face, genial in manner, and social by nature. He was a brave and true man in every sense of the word. He acted well his part in the great drama of life.
There seemed to have beeen a fatality which marked the sources of the Elliott family. Judge Elliott's father once killed a man. One of his brothers was shot through the stomach and killed at the battle of Princeton, Virginia. One of his brothers killed another brother, and a fourth one blew his own brains out in a fit of insanity.
Judge Elliott was buried in the State Cemetery at Frankfort; a beautiful marble shaft marks his last resting place. The subbase is of stone, the base is marble about three feet square and about six feet high on which is a marble column about fifteen feet tall and on which is the Goddess of Liberty, blindfolded and holding in her hand the Scales of Justice. On the east side of the base, facing the driveway is inscribed the following:
John Milton Elliott
Born May 18, 1820
Assassinated for having done his duty as a Judge
March 26, 1879
On the South side is found:
"A stateman of stainless honor. He became a member of the Legislature
of Kentucky, served three terms in the Congress of the United States and
two terms in the Confederate Congress.
A judge of pure heart and strong intellect, fearless, faithful, kind
and efficient. As Circuit Judge and Judge of the Court of Appeals,
he was without reproach."
On the West side:
"As a man he was ardent, social, genial; by nature a philanthropist. He won the love of his fellowmen by his generosity and worth. Devoted as a husband; as friend, faithful and just. A dutiful citizen and upright official. His crowning virtues were candor, integrity, and love of truth."
On the North side is the ____ of Judge Elliott which is said to be a very fine likeness.