William J. Ellis

WILLIAM J. ELLIS, a native of Harrison county, was born January 7, 1841, and is the son of Samuel and Emily (Ludlow) Ellis; the former born January 2, 1810, and died in Harrison county, in 1845; Samuel Ellis, was the son of William Ellis, and was a successful farmer, liberally educated, and a valuable citizen. The latter (his wife) was a daughter of James and Rhoda Ludlow. William J., the subject of this sketch, was the third in a family of five children. He was brought up on a farm in Boone township, this county, and received the best education afforded by the common schools of his county.

He enlisted February 24, 1862, in Co. D, Fifty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry.  He re-enlisted in the Veteran service February 24, 1864, and was mustered out of the Untied States service, July 21, 1865. He took part in all the hard service of his regiment, was in most of the battles, and followed its banners in all its marches, which amounted in the aggregate to about 7,500 miles. He was with it in the following battles; Siege of Corinth, battle of Hatchie River, Siege of Vicksburg, battle of Jackson, Miss., Harrison, La., Meridian, Miss., Peach Tree Creek, Siege of Atlanta, battle of Savannah, Orangeburg, Braxton Bridge, Columbia, S.C., Bentonville and Raleigh, N.C., etc. The colonel of this regiment was Walter Q. Gresham. When peace was made, Mr. Ellis returned home and resumed the plow, which he had abandoned for the ‘tented field.’

He was married, June 29, 1865, to Sarah C. Evans, born in this county, December 28, 1840, and a daughter of Richard and Mahala (Brown) Evans. To them were born three children, as follows: Isaac J., June 7, 1866; Benjamin W., February 2, 1871; Edna M., May 23, 1876. Mr. Ellis owns a farm of 116 acres of well-improved land.

Source: Biographical and Historical Souvenir for the Counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott and Washington, Indiana by John M. Gresham & Co., 1889. Part 2, page 141.