HENRY RANKIN "HARRY" ELLIOTT was born in Scotland in November of 1865, and was brought to America with his older brother John as an infant by his parents, Henry Elliott and his wife, the former Isabella Rankin. The family was living in Camden's North Ward at the time of the 1870 Census. The Elliott family was living at 813 Chestnut Street in Camden when the Census was taken in 1880. Besides John and Henry, the family included younger siblings Benjamin, Isabella, Margaret, and Jane. Henry Elliott had by this time one to work in a woolen mill. He later worked as an oilcloth printer.

Henry Elliott was married around 1886. A son, Harry C. Elliott, was born around 1887. The 1887-1888 and 1888-1889 City Directories show him living at 279 Division Street. By the summer of 1889 he had moved to 1021 South 8th Street. The 1890-1891 Directory also has him at 1021 South 8th Street. His marriage did not last, possibly due to Henry Elliot's drinking. He was accused of assaulting his sister-in-law, but apparently nothing came of this charge.

The Elliott family was still living at 813 Chestnut Street as late as 1899. The 1896 City Directory shows that Henry Elliott was then living across the street at 820 Chestnut Street, working as an oilcloth printer. By 1897 he had moved with his sister Isabella and her husband Alfred Dudley to 1317 Broadway. 

Henry Elliott appears to have been a member of the New Jersey National Guard, and served during the Spanish-American War.

Henry Elliot was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on November 23, 1899. He did not remain with the department for very long, however. He was still with the Fire Department when the census was taken in 1900. He was then boarding at 1317 Broadway, the home of Alfred and Isabella Elliott Dudley. By 1906 Henry Elliot had left the Fire Department. He was still living at 1317 Broadway, but by then had gone back to work as an oilcloth printer.

The 1910 Census shows Henry Elliott living with his son and daughter-in-law Lillian at 812 Cherry Street. Henry Elliott was then in the real estate business. He was also a grandfather to 8-moth old Harry R. Elliott. The 1914 and 1919 Camden City Directories show Henry Elliot living at 634 Berkley Street, working as a carpenter. He was still at that address in January of 1920, then working as a boilermaker in one of Camden's many shipyards. He was still working in shipyards as late as April of 1930. By 1924 Henry Elliott had moved to 314 Royden Street. He does not appear in the 1927 Camden City Directory but is listed in the 1929 edition and in Fire Department records from 1931 at 434 Chambers Avenue.

Henry Elliott's last days were spent at the Soldier's Home in Vineland, New Jersey. He died on February 12, 1938 and was buried at Harleigh Cemetery.