D. Willis Ela of Londonderry, NH Biography from A History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire (1915)

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Source: A History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens
         by Charles A. Hazlett, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill, 1915

Page 1083

   D. WILLIS ELA, the owner and operator of a good 200-acre farm,
situated partly in the town of Derry and partly in Londonderry, was born
on this farm, which is the old Ela homestead, in 1849, a son of Edward P.
and Isabella (Gregg) Ela.  The father of our subject was also born here
and followed farming all his life, being one of the prominent citizens of this
community.  This land was settled on by the Ela family about 1778 and has
always remained in their possession.
   D. Willis Ela was reared and educated in this locality and has always
resided on his present farm.  He is a prosperous citizen who takes an active
and intelligent interest in local affairs, and has served two years on the board
of selectmen.  He belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge at Derry.  He was mar-
ried Feb. 7, 1883, to Miss Martha E. Lovejoy, of Belgrade, Me., of which
union there have been born three children; Anna Belle, Edward Chester, and
Dollie Mildred.  The last mentioned was educated at Pinkerton Academy,
graduating in the class of 1913.  On June 29th of the present year (1914)
she graduated from a business college in Manchester.  Mr. Ela and his family
are representative New England people, energetic, industrious, law-abiding
and progressive.  His mother, Mrs. Isabella G. Ela, who was a native of
Windham, N. H., helped to start the first loom operated in Manchester, N. H.,
and the younger generation bid fair to reflect credit on the family name.