Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 282, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 November 1915 — FUNERAL OF MAJOR ELLIS HELD SUNDAY [ARTICLE]

FUNERAL OF MAJOR ELLIS HELD SUNDAY

Delphi Commandery of Knights Templar Had Charge of Service— Many Pay Last Respect.

The funeral of Major James H. S. Ellis was held Sunday afternoon at 2;30 o'clock at his late residence on ' Front street, the home that he had held so dear-and which he had during the fourteen years since the death ’WftlA Vise kdpt just as she had left it. The cold rain that turned into snoW did not prevent a large number from attending the service and Masons, Knights of Pythias and the Vair'Rensselaer dub, to all of which he belonged, formed a long procession and marched behind the band |n a sorrowing cortege. The casket was open and the remains were viewed by large numbers. His life-like form bore no sign of suffering and his cheeks were as flushed as when in life he had a jovial word to exchange with every person of his acquaintance. The service at the house and at the grave was in charge of the Delphi Commandcry Knights Templar. Some twenty-five members of the order came over from Delphi and were joined here by a number who hold membership in that city, where Major Ellis held his member-* ship. They were dressed in the full uniform of the rank, wearing Ihe hats with the large white plumes and carrying sabres sheathed in scabbards of gold or silver. The appearance of the Knights was distinguished gave ceremonial air to the service * that well marked the character of the man whose untimely end had called the large assemblage together. Rev. J. C. Parrett, of Hammond, performed the religious rites; delivering a brief sermon. The following obituary was read at - the servicet James H. S. Ellis, son of the late Sir Knight John B. and Mary Crowel Ellis, was bom Feb. 12, 1868, at their home in Jefferson township, Carroll county, Ind. From there, in the spring of 1872, they moved Jo 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, ait the same time, conservative and broad-minded; most charitable, his spirit was young, making him especially the friend of youth. His life was enriched by a strong vein of sentiment.

- The death of Major Ellis may be said to have been caused by meningitis, an inflammation that attacked the brain. He was conscious a few hours before his death and selected his own pallbearers, naming Hale and Grant Warner, N. G. Halsey, J. F. Hardman, A. F. Long, H. F. Par--Jeer, Hr. C. E. Johnson and Delos Thompson. Grant Warner was in Chicd&o that day to see his wife, who Was taking treatment at the hospital, and Mr. Halsey was unable to come here from Kankakee, 111. The others acted as honorary pallbearers, the pallbearers being from the Commandery. Among those from out of the city who attended the funeral were: Mrs. Byron Haskett and son, Thomas D., ot Chicago, she being a sister of the wife of Major Ellis. J. E. Loughry, Don Brairley and Mrs. William J. Keever, of Monticello, and the following uncles, Hiram N. Ellis, and Henry and Richard Crowel, and four cousins, Charles Armstrong, William Coble, Van Scott and Claud Ellis, of Carroll county. Alfred Thompson came from Ann Arbor, Frank Hardman from Chicago, Frank B. Meyer from Gary and W. C. Smalley and B. F. Spencer from Remington. Also the brother and sister from the old

home in Carroll county and his sons, John and James, and the former's wife, of Chicago:

James H. S. Ellis, Jr., who has been in college for the past three years and who has been working for the Commonwealth Edison Company in Chicago, will come here within the next few days and take charge of the business affairs of his father, temporarily giving up his college work. He had not entered college this fall, but had less than a year’s work yet to do beford graduation and expected to do that and grdauate with the class erf 1916. He will not abandon this plan, but will resume his college work as soon as possible.