Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 341
MARION ELLIS

Marion ELLIS, who has been a resident of Harrison County since March, 1875, is now a resident of section 34, Union township. When he came to the county he rented a farm in Harrison Grove, of Benjamin PUGH. The following year he moved to a farm near Neola, Pottawattamie County, where he remained one year and then moved back to Union Township, renting a farm of Mr. WHITTINGER for three years. From there he moved to the "forty" on which he now lives, renting it one year before he purchased it. The place had a small log house upon it, but otherwise was well improved. The price paid per acre, was $20. After a few years he purchased eighty acres, to the east of this, for which he paid $15 per acre. This he broke up, built a story and a half house 16x24 feet, dug one well for use at the house and another for stock purposes, provided the place with numerous outbuildings, set out an orchard of one hundred trees, besides a large amount of shade trees.

Our subject was born December 28, 1851, in Davis County, Mo., and is a son of Phillip and Mary Ann ELLIS, natives of Virginia, who reared a family of five children, our subject being the youngest. The family were born in the following order: John N., Nancy E., Owen, one who died in infancy, and Marion.

Mr. ELLIS was married November 25, 1869, to Nancy (DEEM) ELLIS, daughter of Jefferson and Rebecca DEEM, who were the parents of nine children.

Our subject and his wife are the parents of eleven children; J., born September 22, 1870; Cora M., January 21, 1872, Rebecca A., June 20, 1874, Eddie S., February 20, 1876, Orvil, June 24, 1878, Marion J., February 24, 1880, Mary S., December 19, 1882, Lovinia M., June 5, 1883; Grover C., February 18, 1885; Christopher, December 19, 1887; Lillie L., April 27, 1888.

Of these the following are deceased: Grover C. and Lillie L.

Politically, Mr. ELLIS is identified with the Democratic party.

Viewing the life of this man, one finds he has passed through many vicissitudes, had done a great amount of hard labor. Upon coming to the county his only possessions were his horses, harness and wagon, and $18 in money, and from this small start he has made for himself a comfortable home, and has the respect of all those within the radius of his acquaintance.

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