My Genealogy Hound

JOHN H. ELY is a farmer of the town of Poland and has become noted on account of the fine stock he keeps for sale and breeding purposes. He is next to the youngest child of Samuel and Artless (Clark) Ely, and was born in the town of Ellington, Chautauqua county, New York, July 27, 1844. His grandfathers were Israel Ely, who came from a family of early New England settlers of English descent, and Joseph Clark, a native and resident of St. Lawrence county. New York. Samuel Ely was born in Hancock, (named for John Hancock) Massachusetts, September 23, 1786, and changed his residence to Washington county in 1800. He lived there forty years and then moved to the town of Ellington, this county, and died in Gerry in 1885. His education was acquired at the common schools and his life-long work was farming. His first wife was Rebecca Duell, who bore him six children, and after she died he united with Artless Clark, by whom he had twelve children. None of the children by his first wife are living, but of the second eight survive: Rebecca, widow of George Broomley; Mary, married Amos Bannore now dead; Ruth, married Samuel Gladen, also dead; Perry, married Ann E. Strong, of Poland; Clark, resides in Ellicott, married to Camelia Mattocks; Samuel, married Victoria Mosher and lives in Poland; and John H. Samuel Ely affiliated with the Republican party and is a member of the school board. He developed ability in business matters and by judicious trade became comfortably wealthy. He was of untiring energy and took an active interest in public affairs.

John H. Ely led the life of a farmer boy until seven years old, and then left Ellington to go to Washington county, where he remained until twenty-two years old. He then returned to his native town and after spending two years in the employ of his father he bought himself a farm in Poland in 1875. Mr. Ely still owns and resides near this farm, and gives most of his attention to stock raising.

On April 25, 1872, he was joined in marriage to Sophia Fuller, a daughter of Arad Fuller, of Poland, and they have had two children: Eloise M., born February 22, 1879; and Lee, born October 1, 1887.

J. H. Ely belongs to the Democratic party and to Herschel Lodge, No. 508, Free and Accepted Masons, and now lives in quiet comfort giving only a proper oversight to his farming and stock. He is a gentleman deeply read and keeps himself thoroughly posted upon the current events of all subjects. Probably do man engaged in the same business is better acquainted with the affairs of the State and Nation than Mr. Ely. He believes that every member of a republican form of government should be familiar with what is transpiring, and with this end in view leads the van.