Dr. Alva Orr Elliott, the only dentist in Bonner Springs from 1928 to approximately 1950, and affectionately called "Doc" by most residents, was born in Dodge City, Kansas when cowboys were shot, and buried in shallow graves with boots sticking up. When he was 13 years old, his father, an engineer on the railroad, was killed in a train wreck. Dr. Elliott had to quit school, as was the custom for the eldest child, and support his mother, his two sisters and his brother until they could finish school and be on their own. He supported his mother until her death in 1949. One of his jobs was riding shot gun on a Wells Fargo Stage taking the payroll to the mines. He realized that the last three people holding the job had been shot and killed, he knew he had to earn his family's living some other way. It was at that time he became self-educated, and was admitted to the University of Missouri School of Dentistry, K.C., Mo. He earned his own way, and was elected President of his graduating class. (He was very well liked, and dentists from his graduating class continued to come visit him in Bonner Springs until his death in 1960.)

Two years after he became a dentist he married Mary Boyns, a K.C. Ks. school teacher. Then women had to quit teaching when they were married as they were soiled goods, sinful, and unfit after marriage to educate the minds of innocent children. So it was Dr. Elliott took on the support of Mary Boyns, his wife. He continued to support her until her death in 1986 by carefully living within his means and preparing in advance for her support. He never charged over $1.50 to pull a tooth. The most he ever made was $9,000 one year during WW II when he didn't get to take vacation. Usually he earned much less, as he did much of his work free of charge to families he knew didn't have the money to care for their family's teeth. He checked the teeth of all the elementary, junior and senior high school children as a service project each year.

Because he moved to Bonner to establish his practice just before the Depression, times were very hard. The barter system was in effect. Very little cash was excahnged because there wasn't any.

His office hours were 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. six days a week. His office was one room over what is now the Bonner Springs Chieftain. It was not air-conditioned.

There are still people in the community 38 years after his death who come up to his daughter and say, "Your dad put this crown, or bridge, or filling in my moth when we had no money." His gift as a dentist was long lasting crown and bridge work, performed not just for those who could afford it, but for those who needed it.

He was a Quaker by religious belief, and always tried to do what he felt was the kind thing to do. During the depression his wife went to the State Orphanage with her friend, and they said, "Why don't you take this 4 year old home and try her out. If you like her keep her, if you don't bring her back."

The State of Kansas did not have money to feed orphans, and no one had money to take on another person to support, but when Dr. Elliott saw the orphan that evening, his eyes met hers, and he simply said, "Oh, we're going to keep her!" So it was that he took on supporting another individual -- his daughter, Doris Jean.

Dr. Elliott was service oriented, a member of the Masonic Order, Rotary, a city council member, officer of Wyandotte County Dental Society, and officer fo the Kansas State Dental Society. He was Pres. of Bonner Bldg and Loan, and on the Board of Directors of Commercial State Bank. His service work received less attention than his wife's, as his service work was very quietly rendered. In spite of the hard life he lived, (working from age 13 until he was gravely ill at age ?), supporting his mother, two sisters, a brother, a wife, a daughter, and several cousins during the depression, he always maintained a great sense of humor, and was interested in everyone else's problems. He tried to help everyone who crossed his path.

Mrs. Elliott lived 26 years after his death. During that time she immersed herself in interests and hobbies. Her main fields of interest were the Bonner Springs City Library, and the Wyandotte County Historical Society Museum. She was instrumental in starting the City Library. She stored items for the Wyandotte County Museum in her residence until a building to house the artifacts was built. Among other interests over the years: Mrs. Elliott was a member of the Historical Society, Kaw Council of Girl Scouts, Santa Fe Trail Camp Fire Girls, restoration fo the Grinter House, United Fund, Kansas Assoc. for Orphan Children, Bonner PTA, Garden Club, Teen Town, Red Cross Volunteer in World War I and II, National Federation of Women's Clubs, Round Table Club, Republican Party, Kansas Association of Dental Wives, Owl Bridge Club, Sunday Night Supper Club, National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, Order of Eastern Star, and All Soul's Unitarian Church. She was an amateur painter, and published poet. Her main concerns during her late years were preservation of wild flowers, animals, birds, and historical artifacts and places in Wyandotte County.

She was active in the Bonner Springs Annual flower show, the art Festival, and attended KCKCC history classes. She was awarded the KCKCC Heritage Award for her preservation of history. The Elliotts had one daughter, Dr. Doris Jean Elliott-Watson, a specialist in gerontology, and in the education of learning disabled, emotionally disturbed and gifted children, and two grandchildren, Marsha Jean Elliott-Watson, a free lance writer and editor, and Sherwood Elliott-Watson "Woody", a musician and free lance writer.