Ellis, N.P.

BAILEY, CLARK, HENDERSON, HAASE, HARRIMAN, RYAN, CONWAY

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/4/2010 at 19:16:38

The name of Ellis has ever figured prominently in connection with the commercial develpment and material upbuilding of Bremer county and its representatives in three generations have been prominent business men of the district. The ancestry can be traced back to one of the old Quaker families of New England. N.P. Ellis, one of sixteen children, was born in Fairfield county, Connecticut, October 4, 1807, and acquired his early education in the subscription schools near his father's home. He was but four years of age when the parents removed to Seneca county, New York, where his boyhood and youth were passed. He was about twenty-one years of age when he embarked in general merchandising, establishing a store which he conducted in the east until about 1860. That year witnessed his arrival in Waverly, Bremer county, after which he established a second general store in the town, conducting the business with his son until his retirement in 1876. He was the best known merchant of the city in his day and assisted in the progress and upbuilding of the town in many ways, especially contributing to its development and progress in pioneer times.

N.P. Ellis was married in Seneca county, New York, in 1831, to Miss Esther Bailey, and to them was born a son, George Palmer Ellis, whose birth occurred March 10, 1834. After the death of the wife and mother N.P. Ellis married again, his second union being with Cinderella Bailey, a cousin of his first wife. They had a daughter, Lillian Maude, who became the wife of Allan H. Clark and died leaving two children; Mary Palmer, now the wife of Roy M. Henderson of Winthrop, Massachusetts; and Jessie Frances, now the wife of Herman L. Haase of Iowa Falls. The death of N.P. Ellis occurred in Waverly, April 8, 1897.

George P. Ellis spent his youthful days in Seneca county, New York, acquired a public-school education and received his business training in his father's store. Eventually he was admitted to a partnership in the business which he took over at his father's retirment in 1876, managing it successfully for twenty-nine years, when the store was discontinued.

The store was probably one of the best known mercantile establishments in this section of Iowa. Mr. Ellis had a reputation equaled by few, for selling the right kind of merchandise and regardless of competition he maintained his reputation unsullied. The business steadily increased and the name of Ellis became a synonym for integrity and fair dealing. While a most careful and conservative business man, Mr. Ellis ever stood ready and willing to aid in an unostentatious but effective way in promoting public progress and supporting any measure for the general good. He also gave freely and generously to those in need of assistance and he never forsook a friend. In fact he held friendship inviolable and there were many evidences of his friendly regard in his timely assistance to those who needed aid. He never spoke of his good deeds and many were never known until after his death, when they were mentioned by the recipients. He always refused public office, yet there were few men in private life whose influence was so strongly and beneficially felt. He was always on the side of right, progress, reform and improvements, yet he never courted public notoriety, content in the consciousness of having done his duty.
One of the first brick buildings of Waverly was erected by N.P. Ellis and is still standing on the west side of the river. In order to bring his goods to the city it was necessary to haul his stock from Independence, forty miles away. It is surprising what three generations have seen in the way of improvement in transportation and now there are, in Bremer county, three railroads, a trolley line and more than one thousand automobiles.

N.P. Ellis was the principal organizer of the old Bremer County Bank and remained for years its vice president and one of its directors. His son,
George P. Ellis, was for more than twenty years president of the State Bank of Waverly, in fact was the only incumbent in that position during his life time, save for a very brief period when another held the office. George P. Ellis was also instrumental in securing the sugar factory. As stated, he was always interested in everything that pertained to the welfare of Waverly and this interest was manifested in many tangible ways. Many farmers owe their present prosperity largely to the fact that he gave them material help at critical times. At length when Mr. Ellis closed out the business he received a most complimentary letter from the firm of J.V. Farwell & Company, wholesale dealers of Chicago, with whom he had traded for more than forty years, a letter which spoke in high terms of his business integrity and high standing. His death occurred January 22, 1909.

George P. Ellis was married March 12, 1876, to Miss Helen M. Harriman, a daughter of H.B. and Hannah B. (Bailey) Harriman of Concord, New Hampshire, who came to Bremer county in August, 1868. Mrs. Ellis was born in Concord, March 25, 1850. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. George P. Ellis is Nat P. Ellis, whose birth occurred in Waverly on the 27th of January, 1877. Nat P. Ellis began his education in his native city and after graduating from the Waverly high school entered Grinnell College at Grinnell, Iowa, completing the course in that institution with the class of 1901. Since that time he has become the treasurer of the Hampton-Kelly Canning Company at Hampton, Iowa, is president of the Iowa Sugar Company, vice president of the State Bank of Waverly, secretary and treasurer of the Waverly Gas Compnay and secretary and treasurer of the Willow Lawn Farm, Incorporated. He has earned for himself the same reputation as a careful man of business as his father and grandfather and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won him the confidence of his fellowmen.

On the 19th of April, 1911, Mr. Ellis was united in marriage to Miss Grace Ryan, a native of Fairbank, Buchanan county, Iowa and one of the twelve children of John and Sarah (Conway) Ryan, who reside on a farm at Fairbank. John Ryan devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career, but is now living practically retired.

In his political views Mr. Ellis is a republican and for eight years he served his fellow townsmen as a member of the city council. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church. He is a strong believer in Waverly and its future and feels that none of the representatives of the younger generation need leave this section in search of opportunities, recognizing the fact that advantages here are many.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914