William Jesse Ellis was born April 05,1845 , the first born of John Samuel Ellis (b. 01 May 1822 in N.C. and died in 1906 in Evansville IN.) and Maria Leonard (B. January 1825 and died 23 May 1850 at Batavia OH.) John married Maria at Batavia Ohio on 01 May 1844, at Batavia Ohio. She and John had issue of two sons, William Jesse Ellis and Henry Le Aldas. Their Mother Maria died of Cholera when they were four and five years old. John later married Martha Pavey.

William Jesse came to Mt Vernon Illinois with his parents in 1860, he was 15 years old. Three years later his stepmother, Martha died. As a young man he worked on his fathers farm. On October 04,1871 he married Harriet Elizabeth Wylie She was born April 01,1852 in Cass Co. IL.

1. November 05 1872 their first child Mary Elizabeth was born.
2. December 03 1874 William Edger was born.
3. September 12, 1877 Walter Harwood was born .
4. Charles Arthur was born December 08, 1883. d January 17 1889
5. Stella Elizabeth was born March 23,1886 d. January 19, 1889

William moved his family to St. Louis, Mo in 1886. He took a position as clerk with B Nugent & Bros. Gen Store.

While in St Louis their two youngest children died of Diphtheria. Charles died January 17, 1889 and Stella died Jan 19,1889 just days apart.

William returned to Mt Vernon in 1896. and engaged in the Grocery Business of his own accord, but was not successful. and he sold out. Shortly thereafter he took a fall which resulted in his death. Harriet was with him when he died.

He was a member of Co. C. Sixth Illinois Cavalry and stayed till the close of the rebellion After he mustered out he worked as a salesman with the Strattan, Ferguson & Co. Pavey & Allen and J.D. Johnson and CO.He belonged to the Coleman Post G.A.R. and Marion Lodge I.O.O.F.

He was buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Mt Vernon IL.

Submitted by By Nancy E. Davis
G Niece