R. E. ELA - Biography

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This biography appears on page 661 in History of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin...
published by the Western Historical Co.: 1879.

R. E. ELA, farmer, formerly a manufacturer; P. O. Rochester; born in
Lebanon, Grafton Co., N. H., May 5, 1S12; son of Benjamin and Abigail
Ela; came to Rochester the year of the first land sale, about 1839;
started a fanning-mill manufacturing establishment; added to it the
manufacture of wagons, carriages, plows and farming implements until
1871. Was elected one of the Supervisors in 1850; was chairman of the
board three or four years. Capt. John Trowbridge and himself were
nominees for the Territorial Legislature. Trowbridge was elected. They
were friends, and neither made any personal efforts. Mr. Ela married,
April 26, 1842, Miss Nancy E. Hubbard, of Rochester. His wife died, Oct.
15, 1842. He again married, Miss Nancy Jane Royce, daughter of Philander
B. Royce, of Putneyville, N. H. They had three children-- Emily J., born
Oct. 24, 1851; died March 31, 1854; Ellen A., born Aug. 15, 1853, now
Mrs. J. C. Woodworth, of Warren, Ill.; Ida Louise, Oct. 12, 1855. Mrs.
Nancy J. died, Aug. 11, 1856. He married again, at Elkhorn, Emily C.
Montgomery, daughter of Rev. Samuel Montgomery. Their children are
William M., born Oct. 27, 1858; Edward G., Jan. 30, 1860, died Sept. 7,
1860; Edith Celia, born Oct. 6, 1861; May Hazeltine, July 20, 1867;
George, Oct. 11, 1868; Edwin Stanton, Dec. 30, 1871; Emerson, July 7,
1875. Mr. Ela is the largest landowner in the township; owns
considerable land in adjacent counties; is a very enterprising man.
Several of his farms in the town of Rochester are being carried on
shares.