Columbia River Sun-02 Feb 1911 ELLIOTT, Ralph C. A. Sunday afternoon the word was passed that Cathlamet's oldest citizen and the first settler in the Elochoman valley had passed. His death, which occurred at the residence in town, was not unexpected and the passing was peaceful and without apparent pain. His wife and two sons, Rufus and Ralph, and two daughters, Jennie and Maxine, were in attendance at his bedside, and surrounded with care and tenderness the aged pioneer drifted out into the unknown leaving behind the record of a well spent life. He was over 82 years of age, having been born in Edinburgh, Scotland. While a young lad he came to New York and in 1849 took the gold fever and passage as a sailor on a ship bound for California via Cape Horn. When off the coast of Peru the craft caught fire and for eight days he and his companions were on the Pacific in an open boat before finally safely landing at Callao, Peru. Unable to get passage north to "Frisco" he re-shipped for New York on a ship which was loaded with guano. The discomforts of the odorous cargo on the return trip equaled the hardships encountered in the first voyage, and when he reached New York he concluded to strike West overland. He came to Michigan shortly after his ocean experience and from that State came overland to Oregon in 1852. In the winter of 1853 he cut cordwood for W. S. Ladd, the pioneer Portland merchant and banker on the site of the present magnificent metropolis. In 1855 he came to Cathlamet. With his brother he had stowed a cargo of provisions aboard a small boat and was headed for the new Chinook river country on the Lower Columbia. A landing was made early one spring morning at the trading post of Cathlamet, which was conducted by Jas. Birnie, father of A. D. Birnie who yet resides here. The scene could it be placed on canvas, would be an interesting historic relic. It was vividly portrayed in words to the writer by Mr. Elliott. When Mr. Birnie discovered that Mr. Elliott was a "bonny Scotsman" his joy at seeing a white man was doubled. With all his persuasiveness he told the navigators that below the bend in the lower river they would be surely wrecked in their frail craft and that there was no need of seeking further for fertile government land. He directed them to the Elochoman and upon two bottom land claims the new pioneers began the settlement of a region now dotted with fertile farms. When Mr. Elliott arrived in the Elochoman a few cabins and their occupants were the only traces of humanity in the great wilderness of Olympia on the north, Oysterville on the west, Vancouver on the east and the Columbia river on the south. Wahkiakum county settlement was in its infancy. Laban Stillwell and John McCall held donation claims and it is a part of the former's claim that comprise the ranch in the Elochoman which was sold to H. E. Armstrong by Mr. Elliott several years ago. Amidst these primitive surrounding Mr. Elliott, with his indomitable industry hewed out a home in the forest and the traits of industry, thrift and upright conduct which he displayed made the name Ralph Elliott a synonym for honesty in this community. In 1875 he was married and his wife and the following children survive him: Jennie and William of Vancouver, Rufus, Ralph and Maxine of Cathlamet. Three children died in their teens-Walter, Louise and Alivilda. About four years ago the present residence in town was purchased and the cares of the ranch which by Mr. Elliott's industry had become one of the best in the county, were laid down and well earned rest became his portion. The funeral was held at the Congregational church Tuesday afternoon and the knell of the bell as it tolled off the 82 years of the pioneer's life was fitting requiem to the close of such a well spent life. Rev. W. W. Head conducted the service and his remarks over the bier of this honored citizen were exceptionally fitting and well deserved tribute to a life of usefulness. The pall bearer-all old pioneers- Pacific Cadeau, Jos. Souvigner, Jr., Thomas Irving, A. D. Birnie, J. W. Kelley and J. H. Graham bore the body to its final resting place. where the remains of his three children, and Ralph Elliott slumbers after a life full of years and honor. West Cemetery-(Is this the Pioneer Cemetery?) Cathlamet, Wa. 04 Sep 1828-29 Jan 1911 (As transcribed by the Wahkiakum County Historical Society 2005 from original newspaper collection.)