Whiteside County IL Archives Biographies.....Ely, Richard S W 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 January 31, 2008, 12:59 am

Author: Portrait/Bio Album, Whiteside County IL 1885

Richard S. W. Ely, dealer in real estate at Morrison, is a native of 
Connecticut and was born in Mansfield, Oct. 27, 1834, the son of the Rev. 
William and Harriet (Whiting) Ely. His parents were born in Connecticut. His 
father was a well known Congregational minister of that State. Richard was 
left an orphan in his boyhood, and in such limited circumstances that he was 
obliged to depend entirely upon his own efforts for his advancement in life. 
His education was received in the public schools, and when 21 years of age he 
sought his fortune in the West. He came to Illinois in 1851, and spent one 
year at Waukegan as a salesman in a mercantile house. From there he went to De 
Kalb, where he engaged in real-estate business. A few years later he went to 
Columbus, Wis., pursuing the same business. Thence he went to Cedar Falls, 
Iowa, and thence to Geneva, Ill. In 1864 he came to Morrison, where he engaged 
in the grain business. He also bought and sold real estate, and by the 
exercise of good judgment made many good investments, and acquired property 
rapidly. About 1867 he formed a partnership in real-estate business with G. A. 
Whitcomb, which continued about two years. In 1873 he bought out the Morrison 
Carriage Works, and two years later took Mr. Whitcomb in as an equal partner. 
The business was conducted under the firm name of Ely & Whitcomb till 
November, 1882, when they sold out. The Carriage Works employed an average 
force of 22 men and turned out from 250 to 300 carriages annually. Mr. Ely is 
still connected with Mr. Whitcomb in real-estate business, their transactions 
extending through Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, 
besides heavy interests in city property in Minneapolis and other cities. 
Their agricultural lands aggregate upward of 7,000 acres, and are valuable. 
Mr. Ely continues to make his home at Morrison, where he has a handsome 
property. He formerly owned and remodeled the magnificent residence now the 
property of O. W. Woodruff. He was married at Sycamore, Ill., Oct. 5, 1858, to 
Miss Mary E. Crawford, daughter of Charles and Frances (Billmeyer) Crawford. 
Mrs. Ely was born in Pennsylvania. They have three children,—two sons and a 
daughter: William R., Spencer C. and Hattie G. Mr. Ely is a stanch Democrat, 
while he and his estimable wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian 
Church. Mr. Ely began the race of life an orphan boy without means or 
influential friends, but possessed of shrewd business instincts, sound 
judgment and good executive ability, backed by pluck, enterprise and 
unquestioned integrity. With these qualifications, success was only a question 
of time. At this writing, having been a resident of Illinois 24 years, he has 
acquired the large property interests previously alluded to, and is reckoned 
among the most successful business men of Morrison. The wide range of his 
field of operations and the magnitude of some of his successful transactions 
have demonstrated his accurate judgment, cool nerve and  keen  business 
sagacity. Mr. Ely is possessed of many estimable qualities, both of heart and 
mind, while he is no more free from faults than many other good citizens. He 
is a frank, candid man, who says what he means and stands by what he says, his 
word being as good as his bond. Generous and free-hearted, his frequent and 
liberal aid to those in distress has often led to the abuse of his kindness. 
Notwithstanding such experience, his purse opens just as quickly to the next 
seemingly worthy applicant for his bounty. Friendship with him is sacred. Once 
having won his regard and confidence, his friends have always found him true 
as steel. Trouble or misfortune on the part of a friend, with him only 
strengthens the tie. It is often the case where one is so firm a friend, he 
will, where the occasion justifies it, prove as bitter an enemy; but with the 
subject of our sketch such is not the case. Once having had his quarrel out, 
he harbors no animosity, but seems to forget the entire matter. In matters of 
public interest he has always been found liberal and enterprising. There are 
but few citizens of Morrison entitled to more credit for a free and generous 
support of worthy public enterprises than Mr. Ely. In his domestic relations 
he is known at his best. His unselfish devotion to his wife and children is 
but another consistent characteristic of the man.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Whiteside County, Illinois, Containing Full-
page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens of the County. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1885.

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