James Douglas Elliott

Who was James Douglas Elliott?

James Douglas Elliott was a United States federal judge.

Born in Mount Sterling, Illinois, Elliott read law to enter the bar in 1884. He was in private practice in Tyndall, South Dakota for various intervals from 1884 to 1910, also serving as state's attorney of Bon Homme County, South Dakota from 1887 to 1891, and as the United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota from 1897 to 1907. He was counsel to the C.M. & St. P. Railroad in Aberdeen, South Dakota from 1910 to 1911.

On May 25, 1911, Elliott was nominated by President William H. Taft to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota vacated by John E. Carland. Elliottwas confirmed by the United States Senate on June 7, 1911, and received his commission the same day, serving as an active judge until his death.