[1] Elliott was born on January 30, 1919, in Los Angeles, California.

He was popular among local leaders, with many, including Tuiasosopo and A. P. Lutali, sending petitions to Washington in his support.

Elliott collaborated closely with Tuiasosopo to reorganize the three-year-old American Samoa Legislature.

He replaced the upper house, Atoa o Ali'i, with the American Samoa Senate and reduced the membership of the American Samoa House of Representatives from 54 to 21.

His sudden departure after just three months as Governor was attributed to personal reasons that were never revealed.