Carroll-Tippecanoe County IN Archives Biographies.....Ellis, John B. 1832 - 1914
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/in/infiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com March 21, 2006, 3:14 pm

Author: John C. Odell (1916)

JOHN B. ELLIS.

   In placing the late John B. Ellis, a successful farmer and business man, in
the front ranks of the citizens of Carroll county, during his day and
generation, justice is rendered to a very old and worthy family. Although a
quiet and unassuming man, he contributed largely to the material, civic,
political and moral advancement of his community. Possessed of admirable
qualities of head and heart, the upright course of his daily life won for him
the esteem and confidence of the circles in which he mingled.

   The late John B. Ellis, who was a native of Tippecanoe county, was born on
March 24, 1832. He was the son of Nordecai and Sarah Ann (Brockus) Ellis, the
former of whom was born in Ohio, November 14, 1799. Sarah Ann Brockus was a
native of Tennessee, born on September 12, 1812. She was married to Nordecai N.
Ellis on April 17, 1828, and to them were born twelve children, eight of whom
grew to maturity, John B. being the eldest. Of the other children, Sophia D. was
the wife of Robert P. Scott, of Jefferson township; Phoebe M. was the wife of
Nicholas Coble, who lives in Adams township; Charity C. is the widow of Lanta T.
Armstrong and resides in Jefferson township; Alice J. is the wife of William H.
Wilson, of Los Angeles, California; Frances M. is the widow of Irvin Greer and
lives in Chicago; Harriet S. is the wife of William J. Keever, of Monticello,
Indiana, and Hiram N. is a resident of Jefferson township.

   The parents of John B. Ellis came to Tippecanoe county early in life and were
married there. In 1836 they moved to Carroll county, where they lived for a
short time and then returned to Tippecanoe county. In 1840 they returned to
Carroll county and settled in Jefferson township, on section 18. Here they built
a house, which is still in use; it was the first frame house erected north of
the Wabash river in this part of the country, and in this house the parents
lived until their death. The father died on March 15, 1867, and the mother on
February 21, 1887. They were members of the Friends church.

   John B. Ellis was educated in the pioneer schools of Jefferson township, but
the advantages afforded by the public schools of his day were limited and he
supplemented the training received in the public schools by home study and was
known in this community as a great reader.

   Mr. Ellis's wife, who was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Crowel, was
born in Miami county, Ohio, November 4, 1837. Abraham Crowel was a native of
Ohio, having been born in Montgomery county, May 22, 1814. On May 13, 1835,
Abraham Crowel married Catherine Million, of Miami county, Ohio, and to them
were born eight children, among whom were Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, Ellen, Jane
and Martha. Mrs. Catherine (Million) Crowel died on March 28, 1848, and on
December 3, 1850, Abraham Crowel was married to Ann Newman, and to them were
born seven' children, five sons and two daughters, as follow: Joseph N., J.
Henry, Abraham, Daniel, Richard, Catherine and Amanda. * The family settled in
Carroll county in 1843, locating on a farm in Jefferson township. Abraham Crowel
died on January 14, 1898, and his second wife on January 22, 1887. They were
both members of the Church of God.

   John B. Ellis was married on March 15, 1857, in Jefferson township, Carroll
county, to a daughter of Abraham Crowel. To them were born five children, one of
whom died in infancy. Four are still living, James H. S., born on February 12,
1858, who lives in Rensselaer, Indiana, where he owns the opera house and other
property; Sarah, April 19, i860, who lives on the old homestead; Elmer, August
18, 1866, lives on the old homestead; Martha, November 23, 1870, who married
Arthur H. Hopkins and lives in Rensselaer, and Charles, who died in infancy.

   After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Ellis began housekeeping on the farm now
occupied by their daughter and son. He made many improvements upon the farm and,
at the time of his death, owned three hundred and four acres of well-improved
land. In 1872 he moved to Kokomo and was engaged in the baking business for some
years. Later, he operated a grocery store for a short time and, while there,
served as a member of the city council elected on the Republican ticket. He was
a man who was always active in politics. In the spring of 1886 he returned to
his farm and shortly afterward erected a splendid residence and a very
substantial barn. The late John B. Ellis was a member of the Masonic fraternity
and a prominent York Rite Mason, having reached the rank of Knight Templar. He
was a public-spirited citizen and always stood for all public improvements,
including roads and drains. Both John B. Ellis and his wife were members of the
Friends church. Mr. Ellis died on March 14, 1914, and his wife on July 24, 1875.

   Elmer R. and Sarah Ellis operate the home farm and have had charge of it
since their father's death. Mr. Ellis raises thoroughbred Poland China hogs and
a high grade of cattle. Sarah Ellis is a member of the Friends church. Elmer R.
Ellis is identified with the Republican party in politics.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Biographical Section of

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY INDIANA

ITS PEOPLE, INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS
BY
JOHN C ODELL
With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and
Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families

ILLUSTRATED
1916
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Inc.
Indianapolis, Indiana


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/carroll/bios/ellis175nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/infiles/

File size: 6.0 Kb