ELLYSON, John Talbot 1852 - 1905

ELLYSON, SMITH, REAM

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 6/22/2003 at 21:56:24

Original posting by Debbie K Nash --

"Brighton Enterprise"
Saturday, November 4, 1905,
Page 4, Column 5

J. T. ELLYSON, one of the leading citizens of Pleasant Plain, died suddenly Oct 27 1905 of heart failure at his office in Pleasant Plain. Son of Zachariah and Esther ELLYSON, born Cass Co., Mich. June 6 1852. Parents moved to Iowa in 1859 and from about that time he has been a resident of Jefferson County. Married in Fairfield to Cora B. SMITH Oct 26 1881; one child which died in infancy. Lost his father at the age of 15 and his mother four years later. . . . ."

I am copying this information for the benefit of genealogical research and am not related to said individuals.

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Added by Admin, November 2021 --

"The Fairfield Daily Journal"
Friday, October 27, 1905
Front Page, Column 4

JOHN ELLYSON DROPS DEAD
One of Pleasant Plain's Highly Respected Citizens Passes Away.

October 27 (Special to Journal.):-- The citizens of Pleasant Plain and vicinity were greatly shocked to hear of the sudden death of John ELLYSON, one of the most leading and influential citizens of that community. Mr. ELLYSON was in the postoffice after his mail about three o'clock this afternoon, when he dropped to the floor dead, caused by heart failure. He was one of the firm of Harvey & Co. and manager of the telephone company there. Thus ends the useful earthly career of a highly respected man.

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"The Fairfield Journal"
Wednesday, November 1, 1905
Page 5, Column 1

JOHN ELLYSON DROPS DEAD
One of Pleasant Plain's Highly Respected Citizens Passes Away.

October 27 (Special to Journal.):-- The citizens of Pleasant Plain and vicinity were greatly shocked to hear of the sudden death of John ELLYSON, one of the most leading and influential citizens of that community. Mr. ELLYSON was in the postoffice after his mail about three o'clock this afternoon, when he dropped to the floor dead, caused by heart failure. He was one of the firm of Harvey & Co. and manager of the telephone company there. Thus ends the useful earthly career of a highly respected man.

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, November 1st, 1905
Page 9, Column 3

Died Without Warning.

John T. ELLYSON dropped dead in his office at Pleasant Plain Friday afternoon. He was in apparent good health up to the moment the summons came, but had been a sufferer from neuralgia in the past. Mr. ELLYSON was fifty-three years of age and had been a resident of Pleasant Plain for more than a quarter of a century, and in that time had been one of the leading spirits and active business men of the town. He had been in the furniture trade there for a long time, was manager of the Pleasant Plain telephone system and had connection with the well known mercantile house of J. Harvey & Co. Mr. ELLYSON was married in this county to Miss Cora B. SMITH October 26th, 1881, and his wife survives him. He was a man of good business ability and excellent character and will be greatly missed in the little town. Funeral services were held in Pleasant Plain Tuesday and the body was then brought to this city for burial. The service at the grave included an address by Rollin J. Wilson, a friend and business associate for many years.

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"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, November 1, 1905
Page 12, Column 5

Drops Dead.

J. T. ELLYSON, one of the oldest and foremost residents of Pleasant Plain, dropped dead in his furniture store at Pleasant Plain last Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock, aged 53 years.

Mr. ELLYSON took dinner at the usual hour and appeared in usual health on Friday, and attended to his business affairs. He sat down in his store shortly before 3 o'clock and the clerk noticed immediately that something was wrong and telephoned to Mrs. ELLYSON that he had fainted. Before his wife could leave the house for the store she was informed over the 'phone that her husband was dead. Heart trouble caused the sudden and untimely death.

The remains were brought to Fairfield yesterday and laid to rest in Evergreen cemetery.

Dr. F. R. SMITH, of Grand Junction, Colorado, brother of Mrs. ELLYSON, B. S. REAM and wife, of Keosauqua, and other relatives were present at the burial and exercises.

Deceased was perhaps the oldest of the business men of Pleasant Plain. For thirty years of more he had been identified with the interests of his town. At the time of his death he was the owner and manager of the Pleasant Plain Telephone Co., of Ellyson's furniture store, and was a partner in business with Mr. J. Harvey.

He was a man in the word's fullest sense. Always the same, even and pleasant of disposition, unassuming, gentlemanly in his bearing, honest and upright in all his business affairs, ready to aid in everything in behalf of mankind, in the interest of his community, even so prominent and important was his work and influence in the town he called home that it will be long before his place can be filled. He will be missed by all, not only in Pleasant Plain, but in Jefferson county, because by his death we lose one of our best citizens.

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, November 8th, 1905
Page 6, Column 3

LOCAL MISCELLANY.

... The will of J. T. ELLYSON, deceased, has been filed for probate with Clerk Lucas of the district court. ...

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, November 8, 1905
Page 7, Column 1

October 27th, at 2:30, the town and community of Pleasant Plain were greatly shocked on account of the instant death by heart failure of John T. ELLYSON, one of their leading citizens. John T. ELLYSON, son of Zachariah and Esther C. ELLYSON, was born in Cass county, Mich., June 6th, 1852. His parents removed to Iowa in 1859, and from that time until his death he had been a constant resident of Jefferson county. He was married in Fairfield to Cora B. SMITH, October 26th, 1881. To this union one child was born, which died in infancy. Mr. ELLYSON seemed, up to the moment of his death, in about his usual health, and was actively employed to the last. He lost his father at the age of fifteen and his mother four years later. He was thus thrown upon his own resources at a very early age, with scarcely any capital, but with self-reliance, square dealing, temperate and industrious habits. It was not long ere he was recognized as a man of more than ordinary ability, as a thinker and reasoner. These qualities, coupled with his habit of improving each spare moment as a student and reader, made him a man who will be missed by almost all who knew him for his deeper insight and sound judgment. It was the pleasure only of those who knew him intimately to get a glimpse of the sympathetic and humane side of his nature, which considerately spared the life and added to the comfort, whenever possible, of all living creatures. He was also a great lover of nature, one of his favorite quotations being:

To me more dear, congenial to my heart,
One native charm than all the gloss of art.

This and his great dislike for all ostentation and display without true worth, and his willingness to make almost any sacrifice to aid a friend who was fortunate enough to win his confidence, constituted a few of his strong traits which were not apparent to the casual observer. Thus has fallen in the race of life, one of our friends and fellow townsmen who will be greatly missed, not only in the home life, but in the business life, also.

Funeral services were held at the home in East Pleasant Plain October 31st, at 9 a.m., counducted by Rev. J. S. Nicholson of Ollie, and attended by a large number of sympathizing friends and neighbors, who keenly feel their loss. After these services the funeral procession took its way to Fairfield. By the side of the grave Rollin J. Wilson paid a beautiful tribute to the character of the departed, and then the body was laid to rest in the beautiful Fairfield cemetery (note: Evergreen Cemetery). The friends, and especially Mrs. ELLYSON, have the sympathy of the entire community in their deep sorrow.

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"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, December 6, 1905
Page 3, Column 3

Probate.

... In matter of last will and testament of J. T. ELLYSON, deceased, probate of will; admitted, Cora B. ELLYSON appointed executrix without bond. ...

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, December 20, 1905
Page 18, Column 2

LOCAL MISCELLANY.

... During the past week Mrs. Cora B. ELLYSON has qualified as executor of the estate of John T. ELLYSON, deceased, with the clerk of the district court. ...

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Admin entries copied with permission from The Fairfield Ledger, Inc.; others digital copyright 2021. IAGenWeb Bylaws PROHIBIT the COPYING AND RE-POSTING OF THIS MATERIAL IN ANY PUBLIC VENUE such as Ancestry or Find A Grave without WRITTEN permission from the submitter ~ copyright restrictions apply.
*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot Old.P.275. Wife Cora died in 1931 and was buried with John and their two-day-old son.