Rev. M. R. Elliott, attorney-general for the Tenth Judicial District, was born in Lawrence County, Ala., in 1835. He is one of seven children of Samuel and Frances (Ratcher) Elliott. The father, of Scotch-Irish origin, was born in Wilson County, Tenn., in 1804. A farmer and cotton-planter by occupation, he went to Lawrence County, Ala., when a boy and began farming, and, although offered office, he clung to his favorite pursuit and lost all his wealth by the war. He was director for the Memphis & Charleston Railway for several years. He died in 1872 at his home in Lawrence County, Ala. The mother, of Irish descent, was born in Morgan County, Ala., about 1812, and died in 1842. Our subject received his literary education in Virginia and graduated from the Lebanon Law School in 1857. He began practice as partner of Gen. Robert Hatton, of Lebanon, Tenn. In 1860 he married Margaret, daughter of William and Eveline (Douglass) Franklin, and born in Sumner County in 1837. Their four children are William F., physician in Hendersonville, Tenn.; Jennie M., wife of J. W. Knight, druggist, Gallatin, Tenn.; Samuel R., clerk in a drug house in Bowling Green, Ky., and Benjamin D., at college in Hartsville. Enlisting in 1862 as private in Capt. Russworm's company, he soon was appointed ordnance officer and was in the battle of Hartsville. After Morgan's capture, on account of ill health, he was assigned to post duty. After the war he practiced his profession in Sumner County until, on account of his wife's health, he moved to his present home. Our subject was an elector in the Bell and Everett campaign of 1860, and was nominated by the Democratic party to represent Sumner County in the State Legislature, but he declined on account of his wife's health. In August, 1886, he was elected to his present office. Mr. Elliott is a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which denomination all his family are members. He is a brilliant speaker and ranks as one of the best orators in Tennessee.