Ellis, Hon J.W.

ELLIS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 11/7/2007 at 17:57:01

Jackson Sentinel, April 16, 1929:

Hon. J. W. Ellis Passes Away Early This Morning

When the word was broadcast this morning that Hon. J. W. Ellis, one of the highly honored and prominent citizens of our city, community and state had passed away, a universal sorrow overcast the public which for years has bestowed upon him the respect and esteem due to one who has spent a lifetime in service of his community. There are few men who have been identified with so many active agencies bent on building for the common good; there are few of us who are willing to sacrifice the time and labor to bring about projects and measures that really build for better conditions and standards. It required close association with Mr. Ellis to really learn and know his devotion to the community in which he lived and served. It was our good fortune to enjoy periods of such association during the months when he compiled his Jackson County History, the most complete and authentic record of the county in existence. In this tedious and complicated work, he labored patiently and untiringly, searching the long forgotten archives in effort to uncover the true history of the pioneers and their achievements, that future generation might glance backward and learn.

James Whitcomb Ellis was born near Danville, Indiana, November 25, 1848, and with his parents, Jesse and Allsea Ellis, came to Jackson county in 1852. He was reared on his father’s farm north of this city and attended the country school until fourteen years of age, when he entered that great school of practical experience and his mastery of its lessons enabled him to cope with the problems of the business world and achieve success. During the period of the Civil war, Mr. Ellis, then a mere youth, made several attempts to enlist with the colors and when sixteen years of age succeeded in getting to the front long enough to witness the campaign from Culpetter to Petersburg, but by parental authority because of his youth, was returned home. But his patriotic spirit was undaunted and in 1866 he enlisted in frontier service with the famous Seventh United States Cavalry which organization figured prominently throughout the hard Indian campaigns in the west and southwest. After serving three years Mr. Ellis returned home and engaged in farm work and clearing the then densely wooded lands, remaining there until 1907 when he removed to Maquoketa. On October 16, 1870, he was united in marriage to Mary M. Forbes who passed away March 3, 1907. To this union were born nine children, four of whom are left to mourn the loss of a kind and devoted father. They are: Frank E., and Mrs. Nellie Miller of this city; Mrs. Fred Albright of Ankeny, Iowa, and Mrs. Orville Eastman of Clinton.

Mr. Ellis has filled the office of justice of the peace, president of the South Fork township school board; member of the Soldiers’ Relief Commission; Commander of A. W. Drine Post G. A. R.; Commander of the U. V. U.; Secretary of the Pioneers Association; and a member of the House of Representatives in the state legislature. Mr. Ellis was a member of numerous organizations and always took a keen interest in the activities of them all. He was a member of the Congregational church of this city; the Kiwanis Club; Chamber of Commerce; the several bodies of the Masonic Order of Maquoketa; and the Mystic Shrine of Davenport; Jackson Lodge I. O. O. P; Peerless Lodge K. of P.

Mr. Ellis has on two occasions played a very important part in “Home Coming” events and took exceptional pride in the success which attended each of these delightful events. No history of Mr. Ellis would be complete without mention of the “Ellisonian Institute”. For many years he devoted much time in collecting relics from all parts of the world and accumulated one of the finest private collections in the state.

For the past many years Mr. Ellis had engaged in the insurance business and his close attention to work and fair dealing won a splendid competence owning at the time of his death several valuable properties in our city. During his term in the legislature he succeeded in raising a fund to bring back the body of Ansel Briggs, Iowa’s first governor, from its resting place in Omaha to Andrew, the home of the executive, after which he secured from the state an appropriation of $1,000 with which a fitting monument was erected to his memory.

Several weeks ago, Mr. Ellis was stricken with the flu and for some days it was feared that the attack would prove fatal, but he rallied nicely and became able to be about the home, but the malady had affected the heart and this morning at 3:15 o’clock, the end came.

An active, useful life has closed, but not until after great good had been done and much honor attained. The community is far better that Honorable James W. Ellis has lived and served.

Funeral services will be held from the Congregational church Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock, Rev. A. W. Sinden officiating. The remains will be laid to rest in the mausoleum in Mt. Hope cemetery.

iowagravestones.org
 

Jackson Obituaries maintained by Nettie Mae Lucas.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen