Ellis, J. B.

ELLIS, CUNNINGHAM

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 12/18/2012 at 13:40:47

The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa
Des Moines: Union Hist. Co., 1880.

ELLIS, J.B. - Bear Creek Twp - pg 831. Farmer, section 27, P.O. Brooklyn. Born in the town of Temple, Franklin county, Maine, June 15, 1834, and was there raised to manhood. He received a liberal education in his youth. His occupation has always been that of a farmer and teaching school during the seasons when work was not pushing on the farm. In 1855 he came to Scott county, Iowa, where he resided about four years, then moved to Muscatine county. He was there engaged in farming until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in company G, Second Iowa cavalry, in 1861. He was in many severe and closely contested engagements, during his service, among which were the battles of Iuka, first and second battles of Nashville, Franklin, Tennessee, and others. He was taken prisoner at Booneville, Mississippi, in May, 1862, and was conveyed to Mobile, Alabama, where he was kept one month; then taken to Macon, Georgia, where he was kept over three months. Was then sent to Libby Prison and was paroled from there after being kept but a few days. He again joined his command at Grand Junction, Tennessee, and was honorably discharged in October, 1865, after having veteranized during his service. He returned to his home in Muscatine county, this State. In 1867 came to this county, purchased his farm, returned home and was married in Muscatine county, to Miss Jane Ann Cunningham, on the 9th day of April, 1868. She is a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania. They have three children living: Robert B., William S. and Anna May. In June, 1868, he moved to his present location, where he owns a well-cultivated farm of eighty acres.