From: KyArchives [Archives@genrecords.org]
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 8:47 AM
To: Ky-Footsteps
Subject: Ellis.William.G.1797.Kenton.BIOS


William G. Ellis 1797 - May 4, 1858
Kenton County KyArchives Biography

Author: The Biographical Encyclopaedia of Kentucky, J. M. Armstrong, & Company, 1878, Cincinnati, Ohio.

William G. Ellis, son of William Ellis, one of the pioneer farmers of Kentucky, was born in 1797 in Fauquier County, Virginia. His parents settled in that part of Campbell County, west of the Licking River, which was, long subsequently formed into Kenton County. Other members of the Ellis family came to Kentucky at an early date and located in different parts of the State, becoming variously identified with its early history and some of them are now prominent in its affairs. John G. Ellis, Sr., who died recently in Covington, at the age of 86, belonged to the second generation of the men of this name who settled in Kentucky. He was a minister of the Disciples' or Christian Church; was a postmaster under John Quincy Adams, and was an adjutant and a judge advocate in the old military organization of the State. He was born in 1790, and belonged to the branch of the Ellises long distinguished residents of Fauquier County, Virginia, as did William G. Willis, who, although having limited educational advantages, became one of the early friends of the public or free school system of the State, and was one of the most able speakers and thoroughly well informed farmers of Kenton County. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for many years and was at one time Sheriff of Kenton County; was for a number of years School Commissioner for that county; was bitterly opposed to the people subscribing their money for the building of the Covington and Lexington Railroad; and the vote of the county, adversely to the movement, was, to a great extent, owing to his public speeches and efforts against it. He took an active interest in all the affairs of the county and occupied a high place in the estimation of the community. He was a ready and intelligent speaker and had a large stock of information, which he could turn to advantage on any occasion; stood high in some of the social organizations of the day; was an active member of the Christian Church, and one of the most valuable men of his county. In politics he was a Democrat. He died May 4, 1858. His wife was Miss Susan Arnold, a member of one of the old prominent families of Kenton County. He left a family of ten children, one of whom, Alexander C. Ellis, was long circuit and county clerk of Kenton, and is now a lawyer of Covington, and others are influential and prominent citizens of the county.


Submitted by: Sandi Gorin http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00002.html#0000404



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