Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 7th ed., 1887, Kenton Co. THOMAS J. ELLIS, sheriff of Kenton County, Ky., was born in Kenton County, November 17, 1835, and is the fourth of a family of six children born to James and Elizabeth (Leathers) Ellis. James Ellis was born in Culpeper County, Va., in 1802, and was a son of William and Nancy (Clendenning) Ellis. Mrs. Elizabeth Ellis was born in Kenton County, a daughter of Joshua Leathers. Thomas J. Ellis was educated at the schools in Kenton County, and at an early age learned civil engineering and surveying, worked at it until July 8, 1861, when he enlisted in the Confederate Army, Second Kentucky Infantry, under Roger Hanson, but was subsequently with Gen. Morgan, with whom he remained until the close of the war, as first lieutenant. On his return to his native county he farmed and worked at surveying. In 1870 he was elected county surveyor, and served two terms, or until 1878. In 1871 he moved to Covington. In 1882 he was elected city engineer, served up to 1884, when he was elected sheriff, and re-elected in 1886. He was united in marriage to Miss Georgia B. Runyan, of Boone County, Ky., daughter of J. M. and Mary (Hamilton) Runyan. One child has blessed this union--George M. J. Mr. Ellis is a member of the A.O.U.W. Ellis Leathers Clendenning Runyan Hamilton Hanson = Boone-KY Culpeper-VA http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/kenton/ellis.tj.txt