Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 December 1915 — JAMES H. S. ELLIS DEAD. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

JAMES H. S. ELLIS DEAD.

Prominent Rensselaer Citizen Died Friday Afternoon at St. Luke’s Hospital. Friends of former Mayor J. H. S, Ellis of Rensselaer-—which meant every one in the city—were greatly shocked Friday niglu when news came that Mr. Ellis had passed away in St. Luke’s hospital, Chicago, whence he had been taken from the home of his son, Dr. John Ellis, of Chicago, where lie had been ill for some three weeks. Word was received earlier that he was not getting along as well and had been taken to the hospital Wednesday, but few dreamed that his condition was critical until Friday afternoon when his local physician. Dr. Johnson, was hurriedly called to tne city. The latter went up on one of the afternoon trains and was with Mr. Ellis when the end came. Airs. A. 11. Hopkins, Air. Ellis’ sister, was summoned later and went up on the evening train, but did not arrive until her brother had passed away. Death occurred at 7:45, or about an hour before her arrival. The body was brought to Rensselaer on the 7:30 train Saturday evening by Undertaker W. J. Wright, who went to the City that morning

to prepare it for burial, and was taken to his late home on . Front street, where the funeral, conducted by Rev. J. C, Parrett of Hammond, w-as held at 2:30 o'clock Sunday aft--ernoon, and notwithstanding the rain and disagreeable weather a large number of friends and business acquaintances turned out to pay their last respects to one of our most popular citizens. The Masonic and K. of P. lodges, of which he was an honored member, turned out as organizations and led by the Rensselaer band, marched to Weston cemetery, where the body was buried beside his Wife, who died in June, 1901. The burial ceremonies Were in charge of Delphi Commandry Knights Templar.

The following obituary was read at the funeral: James H. S. Ellis, son of the late Sir Knight John B. and Mary (’rowel Ellis, was born Feb. 12, 1858, at their home in Jefferson township, Carroll county, lnd; From there, in the spring of 18 72, they moved to Kokomo, where they could have better school and church advantages, the family being Quakers, In 1883 he came to Rensselaer, which has been his home since that time. He was married to Jessie F. Dayhuff on June 11, 1885. Their children are Dr. John Dayhuff Ellis, of Chicago, and James H. S. Ellis, of Rensselaer. To these boys since the death of his wife, which occurred on June 14, 1901, his life has been devoted. His life was an embodiment of truth, simplicity and ideal principle. He was, at the same time, conservative and broad-minded: most charitable, his spirit was young, making him especially the friend of youth. iHis life was enriched by a strong vein of sentiment.

James H. S. Ellis was born upon a farm in the northern part of Carroll county, a few miles south of Monticello, on Feb. 12, 1 858, and was one of a family of four children born to John and Mary Ellis, three sons and #ne daughfer. The family later moved to Kokomo, where the mother died in 1875. On leaving school Mr. Ellis learned the plumber’s trade, but later engaged in the show business, W'hich line had quite an attraction for him. In 1883, with George E. Murray, also of Kokomo, he located in Rensselaer in

'the' dry goods and clothing business, ; disposing of his interest to Air. Alur- ; ray in 1900. j Some time later he was elected mayor of Rensselaer, which position he held for three successive terms—from 1901 to 1910—and made a very popular official. During this time he was the owner and manager of the Ellis theater and the block in which the theater is located, and was the owner of same at the time of bis death. Following the death of his wife in 1901, leaving him with two boys in their teens, he retained the family home on Front street and lived there with his boys when they were not away at school, all boarding at the Makeever hotel, at which place he had been a familiar figure for a number of years. He is survived by two sons, Dr. John D. Ellis of Chicago, and James Ellis, Jr., who is now employed by the Commonwealth Edison Co., of that city, two sisters, Airs. Arthur H. (Hopkins of Rensselaer, and Miss Sarah Ellis of Carroll county, and one brother, Elmer, also of Carroll county. His father died .March 11, 1914. Several weeks ago Mr. Ellis, as manager, accompanied the AVillette Taylor Stock Co., on a trip over

through southern Illinois, and soon after returning home complained a little of not feeling quite well, but “guessed it was nothing serious and would soon pass off.” A nasal trouble that had probably been coming on slowly for several years, developed and he went to Chicago some three weeks ago, primarially to undergo treatment or an operation for this trouble. The ailment was first thought to he articular rheumatism.

The operation was performed and he remained at the home of his son, Dr. John Ellis. It was first thought that he would get along all right, but a later x-rnv examination showed that the disease had progressed so far that it bad eaten through the base of the brain. The direct cause of death was blood poisoning therefrom. He was delirious, or rather, stupid for several days before his death, and for several hours before the end came was unconscious most of the time, He had realized that death w'as near, we are told, and made certain requests as to the funeral arrangements.

He selected Hale and Grant Warner, X. G. Halsey, J. F. Hardman, A. F. Long, H. F. Parker, Dr. Johnson and Delos Thompson, as pall bearers, but Grant Warner and Mr. Halsey were both out of the city, the former with his wife, who is in a hospital in Chicago, and the latter in Kankakee. The acting pall bearers were members of the Commandry, while the others acted as honorary pall bearers. 1

Among those from out of town in attendance at the funeral were: Mrs. Byron Haskett, a sister of Mr. Ellis’ deceased wife, and son, of Chicago; Frank B. Myer, of Gary; B. F. Spencer and W. C. Smalley of Remington; J. E. Lougliry, Don Brierly and Mrs. W. J. Keever, Monticello; Hiram X. Ellis, Henry and Richard Crowell, Charles Armstrong, William Coble, Van Scott and Claud Ellis of Carroll county; hrs sons, Dr. John D. Ellis and wife and James H. Ellis, Jr., of Chicago, also his brother Elmer and sister, Sarah Ellis, of Carroll county. Deceased waft a member of the

JAMES H. S. ELLIS