Untitled From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901 - page 237-238

WILLIAM R. ELLIS, one of the well known and highly respected citizens of Clifton township, Grant county, and a veteran of the war of the Rebellion, he having served his country bravely in the great struggle when brother was pitted against brother and our fair land drenched in blood, was born in Virginia Dec. 15, 1833, a son of Washington and Elizabeth (BLANKENSHIP) ELLIS, both also natives of Virginia.

In the fall of 1847 the parents and several children, of whom our subject was the eldest migrated to Wisconsin, settling in the town of Ellenboro, Grant county, where they remained some years - during which time several children were born, the family numbering nine - and where the mother died in the town of Potosi.

Our subject remained at home until of age, when he began work for himself, and he has always been engaged in farming. In time he purchased a fine farm in Clifton township, which he has greatly improved, and upon which he now resides. On Jan. 12, 1859, Mr. ELLIS married Miss Elizabeth a. COX, a daughter of John and Agnes COX. Mrs. ELLIS was born in Pennsylvania July 11, 1844, and was taken to Iowa by her mother when but three years old, the father having migrated to that State previously He died in Iowa, and Mrs. COX married Washington ELLIS, the father of our subject:; she is still living. Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. ELLIS, nine of whom are still living.

On Aug. 20, 1862, Mr. ELLIS enlisted in Company H, 25th Wis. V.I. and was honorably discharged in July, 1865. He participated in many of the leading battles of the war which took place in the West, the regiment having been stationed in Minnesota and other Western States. During his term of service his health became so shattered that he has never recovered from the effects of his gallant career in the army. As the years advance Mr. ELLIS realizes how great the service rendered by the old soldiers was, even though they did come out of the conflict without loss of any members. Wrecked health is fully as serious a matter, and for the past ten years our subject has had to take very good are of himself, and refrain from active participation in the work of the farm. In politics Mr. ELLIS has always been a stanch Republican, and he and his estimable wife are consistent members of the Christian Church. They are kind-hearted people, ever ready to lend a helping hand to those in misfortune, and endeavor to show forth in their lives the faith they are so earnestly following.




This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck