Ellett, Emerson W.

Emerson Ellett from Denver, Colorado spent his freshman year at Grinnell

College and then transferred to Denver’s University of Colorado, where he is assumed to have graduated with a B.A. in 1961. He continued to live in Denver until 1971 when he moved to Philadelphia, PA and then later to Ocean, NJ.

Emerson was active in the Libertarian Party of New Jersey, which supports liberty, the foundation of justice and a prosperous U.S. In 2000 and 2003 he was the Party’s unsuccessful candidate for the New Jersey Senate. In 2001 he was elected as the Party’s Secretary and in 2018 he was a member of that state’s delegation to its national convention. He also apparently wrote the following letter that was published in the Party’s newsletter:

• Open Letter to [State] Senator Vin Gopal (Oct. 2022). ‘The country is plagued with time-serving professional politicians. You can’t do much about President Joe Biden (48 years in office) nor Monmouth county’s own bi-partisan “election hogs”—Cong. Chris Smith (42 years) and Cong. Frank Pallone (36 years plus time in the NJ Senate)—but you can introduce term-limit legislation for state, county, and local offices here in New Jersey. Also, you can help by announcing that you will not seek a third term. “Two terms only” will restore the principle of the citizen legislator that the country was founded on and needs so badly today.” (New Jersey Libertarian (Fall 2022)

Emerson’s mother, Elizabeth Valeria Pullen Ellett, who died in June 2006, was married to Emerson’s father, Emerson Skinner Ellett, who preceded her in death. Their daughter (and Emerson W.’s sister) was Mary Ellett Stern of Allenspark, Colorado, who has been unreachable.

Further information about Emerson Ellett, including the dates of his birth and death, have not been obtained. (Anyone who has any additional information, should advise the Grinnell Alumni Office.)

Duane W. Krohnke (author)