Concordia in Cloud County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
James Reed Elliot
May 26, 1903 - January 6, 1988
— Rider to Belleville, Kansas 1909 —
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 4, 2021
1. James Reed Elliot Marker
James Reed was born in Upstate New York to Fred and Gertrude Reed, the second child of four. At the age of four, James and his two siblings lost their parents and eldest sister, Ethel. The three had been moving cattle across a frozen lake when the ice broke. They died after contracting tuberculosis. Gertrude arranged for Clara, James, and Howard to be taken to the Children's Aid Society in Manhattan, New York, after her death.
James and his siblings were placed out in June 1909 in Belleville, Kansas. Though each child found a permanent home with different families in Belleville, the three remained in contact. James was placed in the loving home of Joseph and Zella Elliot and their daughter Jenette. The family ran the local Elliot Hotel in Belleville. James grew into a kind and hardworking man. He and his wife, Hazel, ran a cleaning company in Belleville before moving to Colorado. They had one child, Geraldine.
Statue: Robert “Bobby” and Wanda Morgan
Installation: Linda Houser, Susan Sutton, Brenton & Wonda Phillips
Memorial: Walmart Foundation, Roger Schmitz and Harold and Joyce Dowell in memory of Geraldine Elliot Schmitz
Erected by National Orphan Train Complex.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:
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Location. 39° 34.473′ N, 97° 39.714′ W. Marker is in Concordia, Kansas, in Cloud County. Marker can be reached from West 3rd Street just west of Washington Street, on the left when traveling west. Marker and sculpture are located near the center of the National Orphan Train Complex & Museum courtyard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Washington Street, Concordia KS 66901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Welcome to the National Orphan Train Complex (a few steps from this marker); Howard Reed Dowell (a few steps from this marker); Union Pacific Railroad Passenger Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert Francis Summers Memorial Clock (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert Frances (Miles) Summers (within shouting distance of this marker); Clara Reed Duckett Morgan (within shouting distance of this marker); William Sidney Emay (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); To All Our Fallen Heroes, Thank You. (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Concordia.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Orphan Train Movement
Also see . . .
2. Marker detail: James Reed Elliot
When the Orphan Train movement began, in the mid-19th century, it was estimated that approximately 30,000 abandoned children were living on the streets of New York. Over the 75 year span of the Orphan Train movement, it is estimated that between 150,000 and 200,000 children were relocated to new homes via the Orphan Trains.(Submitted on November 16, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 4, 2021
3. Lela, James & Fred Sculpture
Robert and Wanda Morgan
Adopted by
Linda Houser, Susan Sutton,
Brenton and Wonda Phillips
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 4, 2021
4. James Reed Elliot Marker & Sculpture
Credits. This page was last revised on December 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 115 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 16, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
