My Genealogy Hound

William Ellison, farmer, was born May 15, 1835, in Clinton, Dutchess Co., N. Y., and is one of seven children born to Smith and Mariah (Barns) Ellison. The parents were of Scotch-English and German descent, respectively, and were natives of Dutchess County, N. Y., where they lived until the fall of 1849, when they moved to Broome County in the western part of the same State. They lived upon a farm there seven years, and then immigrated to Lee County, Iowa, where they farmed until the spring of 1860; then permanently located in Knox County, Mo., where the father purchased a farm on which he died in December, 1878. The mother is now living with her daughter, Mrs. Susan M. Whiteaker. The father was an active and prosperous farmer, and at the time of his death owned a farm of 140 acres, which went to the support of the bereaved widow and mother. Our subject lived at home until twenty-one years of age, and received a limited school education. He then worked by the month on neighboring farms for a year, and then began farming for himself on rented land. In July, 1861, he enlisted in the Missouri State Militia, and served there until November of the same year, when he entered the regular army in Company B, Third Missouri Cavalry, remaining until the spring of 1863, when he was discharged on account of disability, and returned home. He then resumed his farm duties, making his home with his parents until 1870. In February, 1869, he was married to Lizzie A., daughter of William F. and Mary Jane (Stabler) Mederith, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively. Mrs. Ellison was born August 28, 1845, in Baltimore County, Md., and accompanied her parents to Adams County, Ill., when nine years old. They subsequently came to Edina, Mo., in 1864. To this union three children were born, of whom but one, Lela, is living; she is at home with her parents. Our subject, by industry, good management, and the aid of his faithful wife, has prospered in this world’s goods, and now owns a fine farm in Knox County, and is considered one of its prominent and substantial farmers. He was reared under Democratic influence, but upon the organization of the Republican party became a member of the same, and cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln, in 1864.