Elias Pruitt ^{1 2 3 4}

   FamilySearch ID: KJZP-WBQ.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Census in 1860 in Ash Grove Township, Iroquois, IL. ⁵ The 1860 census recorded James A. Pruett, farmer, 28, living with wife Barbara, 24; Mary M., 2; and son Ely, 1. The parents were born in Indiana and children in Illinois. The post office was Ash Grove.

2. Census in 1870 in Milford, Iroquois, IL. ⁶ The 1870 census recorded James A. Pruitt, farmer, 38, living with wife Barbara, 34; Mary M., 11; Elias, 10; and Annie, 6. The parents were born in Indiana and children in Illinois. The post office was Milford. On the same census page is Randolph Pruitt, farmer, 23, born in Indiana.

3. Census in 1880 in Milford Township, Iroquois, IL. ⁷ The 1880 census recorded James A. Pruitt, farmer, 49, living with wife Barbara, 45; Elias, farmer, 20; Alice, 16; and James H., 9. Also in the home was Mollie A. Stewart, music teacher, 34, and nephew Lincoln Laird, farm laborer, 19. James and Barbara were born in Indiana and their children in Illinois. James' father was born in Virginia and mother in North Carolina. Barbara's parents were born in Pennsylvania. Mollie was born in Indiana, her father in Kentucky and mother in Ohio. Lincoln was born in Illinois and his parents in Indiana.

4. Book: Portrait and Biographical Record of Iroquois County, Illinois, 1893. ^{2 8}
ELIAS PRUITT, a well known young farmer of Ash Grove Township, residing on section 28, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of this county. He was born in Fountain Creek Township on the 12th of February, 1860, and is one of four children whose parents were James A. and Barbara (Heiny) Pruitt. Their sketch is given on another page.

We now take up the personal history of our subject, who, in the usual manner of farmer lads, was reared to manhood. He began his education in the district schools, later attended school in Hoopeston and Milford, and subsequently was a student in Green Hill Seminary. At the age of twenty, having completed his scholastic training, he started out in life for himself, and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. In December, 1883, he purchased his present farm, comprising two hundred and seventy-five acres of arable land under a high state of cultivation, and well improved. Many rods of tiling have been placed upon it, and a comfortable residence and good barns and outbuildings indicate the thrift and enterprise of the owner. The farm is one of the valuable places of the community, and our subject is one of the leading agriculturists.

In March, 1882, in Fountain Creek Township, Mr. Pruitt was united in marriage with Miss Arabella, daughter of Jacob J. Wise, one of the early settlers of this county. She is a native of Fountain Creek Township, and there spent the days of her girlhood. By their union have been born five children: Forest; Earl, who died at the age of six weeks; Glenn, Flossie Maud and the baby.

In 1884, Mr. Pruitt proudly cast his first vote, supporting James G. Blaine, and has since been a warm advocate of Republican principles. His wife is a member of the United Brethren Church, and he contributes liberally to its support. His entire life has been passed in this county, and that it has been an honorable, upright one, is attested by his large circle of friends. He has the respect of all who know him, and is numbered among the progressive and substantial young farmers of the community.

5. Census in 1900 in Watseka, Iroquois, IL. ⁹ The 1900 census recorded renting a home at 125 West Sixth Street: Elias Pruitt, occupation landlord, 40, born Feb 1860, living with wife Belle, 37, Jun 1863; Forest, 17, Feb 1883; Glen, 12, Jan 1888; Maud F., 11, Jan 1889; and Lida B., 8, Jun 1892. Everyone was born in Illinois. Elias' parents were born in Indiana, and Belle's in West Virginia. Elias and Belle were married for 18 years and she had birthed 4 children all alive in 1900.

6. Census in 1910 in Champaign, Champaign, IL. ⁹ The 1910 census recorded at 303 N. Illinois Street: Elias Pruitt, occupation "own income", 50, living with wife Isabelle [sic, and recorded by census taker], 46; Glenn J. 22, and Lyda B., 17. Elias was married for 28 years and his wife had birthed 5 children, 4 alive in 1910. Everyone was born in Illinois. Elias parents were born in Indiana and Isabelle's in Virginia.

Elias married Arabelle Wise on 16 Mar 1882 in Fountain Creek Township, Iroquois, IL.¹ (Arabelle Wise was born on 29 Jun 1863 in Fountain Creek Township, Iroquois, IL,¹⁰ died on 7 Dec 1928 in Edgewood, Allegheny, PA ¹⁰ and was buried in Goodwine: Amity Cemetery, Iroquois, IL ¹⁰.)