Biographical Sketch of Franklin J. Ellis - Chariton County, Missouri FRANKLIN J. ELLIS. Another one of those successful men and excellent citizens of whom this county contains so many, who commenced in life without means or advantages, and who have risen almost alone by their own exertions and intelligence, to competency and a worthy position in the esteem of their respective community, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Able to make money anywhere, at everything, and at all times, he makes friends wherever he goes, and even more rapidly than he accumulates the solid wherewithal of prosperity. Mr. Ellis is a native of Missouri born in the northern part of Chariton county March 10, 1862, a son of Abraham Ellis, an enterprising and successful cabinet maker and farmer, who was also a native of this state. He died Nov. 2, 1881 The mother, whose maiden name was Susan Katherine Doughty, the daughter of Wm, J. Doughty, a Tennesseeian who settled in Missouri in 1850, is yet living. Mr. Ellis, the subject of this sketch, was reared to a farm life, and received a good common school education as he grew up. Upon attaining his majority, in 1883, he embarked in the saw milling business, which he followed for a number of years, meeting, with commendable success. For a number of years, Mr. Ellis has been permanently located at Guthridge Mill, a little village 7 miles north of Keytesville, situated upon the bank of the Muscle Fork river, and of which he is the sole owner. Through his untiring energy and relentless industry our subject has succeeded in acquiring a goodly share of this world's goods. At this point, he owns 320 acres of land, nearly all of which is in a high state of cultivation and successfully operated by our subject. one hundred and sixty acres of this track lies in the river bottom composed of a black, rich imperishable soil several feet in depth, capable of producing anything desired and is enclosed by a strong levee that has successfully defied all overflows since erected. In addition to this land, Mr. Ellis owns 80 acres of fine land in section 31-32-18. Aside from farming and stock raising, he has other interests at the above village which receive his personal attention. Here he conducts a store, that for the stock of goods carried and the trade it enjoys, reflects credit upon his enterprise and the community in which he resides. A first-class blacksmith shop and a mill that turns out an article of meal that can not be excelled, are other successful enterprises conducted by our subject. In carrying on the above business, Mr. Ellis furnishes employment to some ten to twenty assistants the entire year. While a man with an eye to his own interest, which he is abundantly able to take care of, our subject is also a man not a little concerned for the welfare of the county and the community in which he resides, and has been of great service as a citizen in auguring and prompting movements for the general good. Personally he is whole souled and genial, and is popular with everybody. Of an open, generous disposition and a kind word for everyone, he knows how to enjoy health and financial success. No man is more highly thought of by those who know him. Politically, he affiliates with the Republican party. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Willard Smith USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or their legal representative, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------