Will J. Ellis, after a long illness, died at his lodgings in the old Progressive Farmer building on West Main street at 2:45 this morning, of catarrh of the stomach.

Deceased was the oldest son of Rev. John Ellis of Howell, Ind., and was born at Batavia, Ohio, April 5, 1845.

He came to Illinois with his parents when 15 years old, and settled in Mt. Vernon in 1860, where he lived until his death except three or four years in St. Louis and the time he was in the army.

He was a member of Co. C, Sixth Illinois Cavalry and served till the close of the rebellion. After he was mustered out he returned home and was for many years successively a salesman in the employ of Strattan, Fergerson & Co, Pavey & Allen and J.D. Johnson & Co. who were engaged in general merchandising in this city. Afterwards Mr. Ellis went to St. Louis and was a salesman with the firm of B. Nugent & Bro. for several years. Returning to this city he engaged for a few yars in the grocery business on his own account, but it did not prove remunerative and he sold out. Since that time he has had no regular employment.

He was married to Miss Hattie Wylie of St. Louis, and she and two sons and a daughter survive him. The two sons, William and Walter, both residents of St. Louis, and are employed by the Wabash Railroad Co, one in a clerical capacity and the other in the yards.

The daughter Mrs. J. W. Hoy, lives near Walnut Hill.

Deceased had been an almost continuous resident of this city for nearly forty years.

Charles F. Ellis, of this city, is a half brother of the deceased as is also Ed. E. Ellis of Howell, Ind. Henry Ellis, for many years foreman of the REGISTER, office and who died about two years ago, was a full brother of the deaceased.

The funeral will take place at the First M.E. church at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Rev. John Ellis and son, E.E. Ellis, of Howell are expected here to attend the obsequies.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: March 9,1898
Submitted by Sharlet Bigham LaBarbera