Untitled From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin, Publ. 1901- page 356-357

REV. LEROY ELLIS, of Patch Grove, Grant county, is a well-known clergyman of the Methodist Church and an ex-soldier of the war of the Rebellion, as well as a greatly beloved citizen of his community. When the first note of war sounded throughout the country, and the news of President Lincoln's first call for troops went abroad, Mr. ELLIS was among the first to respond. When the information reached him that the President had issued a call for volunteers, like Gen. Putnam, he was plowing in the field, and like that noted patriot, he responded promptly to his country's call. History tells us that Putnam left his team and plow in the field where he was at work and hurried to the scene of strife. Mr. ELLIS unhitched his team and drove them to the barn, but without waiting to unharness them started at once for Boscobel, where he promptly enlisted himself as a member of Company F, 3d Wis. V.I., under Capt. George W. LINBOCKER. The regiment went as quickly as possible to the front and engaged in the early military operations in Maryland. The Third formed a part of Gen. Patterson's command at Harper's Ferry, Va., where Gen McClellan advanced to meet the Confederate army, which advance resulted in the battle of Bull Run. Gen Patterson, as is well known, was ordered to join Gen. McClellan, but failed to arrive in time to participate in the disastrous first battle of Manassas. Thus Mr. ELLIS was not in that noted engagement. The command to which he belonged crossed into the Shenandoah Valley, and took part in the second battle of Bull Run under Gen. Pope, and also participated in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam under General McClellan. Later the regiment went into camp on Maryland Heights where it remained for about six weeks. There Mr. ELLIS was taken ill, and was in Hospital Camp A at Frederick City, later being removed to the convalescent camp, where he was finally discharged for disability on April 29, 1863. He was severely injured in Bank's retreat from the Shenandoah Valley, when that gentleman was defeated by the illustrious Stonewall Jackson. The nature of his injury was a rupture and from this and other effects of his military service he still suffers.

Rev. ELLIS was born in Perry county, Ohio, May 18, 1835, a son of Daniel J. and Maria (COCHRAN) ELLIS, who never came West, but spent their last days in Ohio. The mother passed away when her son was a small child, but the father survived her many years. Mr. ELLIS may be said to be a clergyman of the Methodist Church by heredity, as his paternal grandfather, Rev. Michael ELLIS, was a pioneer preacher of the West and was associated with the Rev. J. B. FINLEY. MR. ELLIS was one of three children born to his mother, but the father married a second time, and by that union had five children. They long ago scattered and some of them have passed away. Mr. ELLIS was reared in his native State. On May 28, 1856, he arrived in Prairie du Chine, Wis., and for some time he was engaged in farming in Grant and Iowa counties. He was always of a religious turn of mind, but had no opportunity for preparing for the ministry in early life, and it was not until 1867 that he became a local preacher, continuing as such for twenty years. His first charge was at Patch Grove, where he remained three years, and after several other assignments he was returned to Patch Grove in 1895, where he is still living in 1901.

On Jan. 29, 1865, Mr. ELLIS was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. CULBERTSON, who celebrated the seventeenth anniversary of her birth on that day. Her parents, Robert and Levina (DAVID) CULBERTSON were pioneers of southwestern Wisconsin. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. ELLIS, three of whom died in early childhood, while two sons and two daughters are still living, namely: Frank B., a resident of Redwood county, Minn.; George R., of Oregon; Jennie May, wife of Fred R. BARNES; and M. Elma, a teacher by profession, residing at home. Rev. ELLIS possesses in an eminent degree the respect and esteem of all who know him. His preaching is characterized by an earnest sincerity that carries conviction to the mind and heart of the hearer. He is cordial and genial in manner and charitable toward all, and the non-religious as well as the Christian believer is his friend. Fraternally he is an esteemed member of the G.A.R. Post of Bradtville.



This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck