Joseph Ellis Biography, Charles Mix County, SD

	This biography is taken from the "Standard Atlas of Charles Mix 
	County (1906)", published by Geo. A. Ogle & Co. Page 53

	Transcribed by Joy Fisher, sdgenweb@yahoo.com and may be copied for 
	non-profit purposes. All other rights reserved.

Joseph Ellis first came through Charles Mix county as a soldier in 1855. That year
he was stationed at Pierre, and two years later at Ft. Randall. Ellis states that
at that time there was no permanent white settler in Charles Mix county, but other
pioneers state differently. He later served three years in the Dakota cavalry in
Capt. Miner's company, accompanied Sully on his expedition from Ft. Rice to Devil's
Lake, and returned to Ft. Randall in 1867 and engaged in the wood business. Early
in the 70's he settled with his Sioux wife on the Missouri river on land adjoining 
the Yankton Indian Reservation. In 1879 when Hayes issued his executive order
opening the land to settlement he filed and proved up on his land the same day,
having already resided there more than the required time. Only Denny Moran claims a 
quicker record, who filed, proved up and mortgaged his land, all within one hour.
Ellis remained on or near his homestead until 1900 when he removed to Geddes,
where he now resides. Prior to the organization of the county a greater number of
elections were held at his house for delegate to congress than any other place in
the county.