Ellison Ely

Ellison Ely brother of George Ely

Webster County

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Webster and Hamilton Counties, Iowa.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago. 1888.

Ellison Ely, section 36, Newark Township , was born in Wayne County, New York, March 25, 1842 , the third son of Henry and Nancy (Caruthers) Ely. In 1854 the family moved to Hillsdale County , Michigan , where the father died, and in 1858 the mother moved with her children to Stark County , Illinois . Ellison remained with his mother until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, and in 1861 enlisted for three years and was assigned to Company H, Fifty-first Illinois Infantry. December 28, 1863 , he re-enlisted as a veteran and served until September 25, 1865 , when he was discharged at Camp Irwin , Texas . He participated in a number of hard fought battles, among others being Corinth , Farmington , Nashville , Stone River , Atlanta and Chattanooga . He was wounded at Chickamauga by a ball passing through his right shoulder and was in the hospital at Nashville some time when he was sent home on sick furlough. After his discharge he lived in Illinois about a year and a half, and in 1867 came to Iowa and rented land in Hamilton County three years, and in 1870 moved to Newark Township, Webster County, and took up a homestead of eighty acres, to which he has since added until he now has a fine farm of 240 acres all well improved. He is one of the substantial farmers of the township and takes an interest in public affairs but has never aspired for official honors, preferring the quiet pursuits of rural life. He is a strong supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He was married September 28, 1869 , to Alice R. Simmerman, a native of Stark County , Illinois , a daughter of David and Sarah A. (Durand) Simmerman, who moved to Warren County, Iowa, in 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Ely have six children – Lavina C., Everett G., Sarah G., Martha, Edwin G. and Franklin D. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.