(updated June 28, 2008)
The Family of
William Ellison and Anna Martin
William Ellison and wife Anna Martin
Declaration of Intent , Naturalization, Past and Present of Saunders County Nebraska,
50th Wedding Anniversary, William Ellison Obituary
Descendant's of William and Anna Ellison
A couple sources tell us that William Ellison was born in Ballynahinch, County Down Ireland May 6, 1929 son of James B. Ellison and Mary Scott. He married September 29, 1865, in Dubuque, Dubuque Co., Iowa Anna Jane Martin born March 9, 1848 in Ballynahinch, County Down Ireland, daughter of George Martin and Mary Ann Murdock.
The exact date of William and Anna's immigration to the United States has yet to be determined. Estimates would be 1850-1853. A partition of Intent was filed in Monroe Co., NY in 1853 for a William Ellison and the final Naturalization papers were dated 1860.
He resided for a short time in the town of Greece, Monroe Co., New York according to immigration papers, no other sources have been found. He then moved west to Indiana and Iowa until 1869 then moved to Nebraska where he finally settled.
Anna is believed to have moved to Iowa directly upon arrival to the United States
William and Anna had ten children:
William Ellison and Anna Jane Martin Family
back row L-R: Emma, William, Minnie, Nellie, Anna, George, Myrtle
front row L-R: Edna, William, Verna, Anna Jane, Jennie
1) George H. Ellison married Lorena Vance
2) Jennie Florence Ellison married James L. McCord
3) Minnie Ellison married Frank Miller
4) Emma Ellison married Williams H. McCord
5) Myrtle Bell Ellison married Herbert Cleigh Mowers
6) Nellie Ellison married Harry Woodworth
7) Edna Elizabeth Ellison married Julius Monteen
8) Verna Augusta Ellison married Clarence Bahde
9) William James Ellison married Murle Hoagland
10) Anna Ellison married Dick Sutton
Below are articles that I have in my possession on the life and death of William Ellison.
Monroe County, New York - November 19, 1853
Monroe County, New York - March 8, 1860
An article in "Past and Present of Saunders County, Nebraska"
S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1915 pg. 207
Nature seems to have intended that man should enjoy a period of rest in his declining years. In his youth he is possessed of vigor, energy, hope and ambition and in mature years theses are guided by developed judgment so that if powers are rightly employed there may be obtained a competence for the evening of life's day. Such has been the record of William Ellison, who was a pioneer farmer of Saunders County and is now living retired in Wahoo, having passed the eighty-sixth milestone of life's journey.
He was born in County Down, Ireland, May 6, 1829, and there remained until he attained his majority. In 1850, however, he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the United States, making his way to Rochester, New York, where he worked as a farm hand. He was afterward employed in similar manner in Indiana and Iowa until 1869, when he cast his lot with the pioneer settlers of Saunders County, homesteading seven miles northeast of Wahoo.
He secured one hundred and sixty acres entirely undeveloped and unimproved, but he resolutely set himself to the task of breaking the sod and cultivating the fields, which he made most productive. He also added to the land, extending its boundaries until the farm comprised three hundred and twenty acres. Year by year he carefully carried on the farm work and generous crops rewarded in his efforts.
In 1907 however, he rented his land to his sons and came to Wahoo, where he has since made his home.
On the 29th day of September, 1865, Mr. Ellison was united in marriage to Miss Anna J. Martin, who was born in County Down, Ireland, March 9, 1839. When fifteen years of age she came to the United States with a friend and settled in Dubuque, Iowa, where her family had preceded her. At the time of her marriage she accompanied her husband to the home which he had prepared in Iowa and there they lived until they came as pioneer settlers to Saunders County. To them have been born ten children: Jennie, the wife of James McCord, who follows farming in this county: Minnie, the wife of Frank Miller, also a farmer of this county; Anna, the wife of W.R. Sutton, who devotes his attention to agricultural pursuits; Emma, the wife of Williams McCord; George, a resident farmer of this county; Myrltes the wife of Herbert Mowers, who also carries on general farming; William J., who is interested in farming,; Nellie M. the wife of Harry Woodworth; Edna, the wife of Julius Monteen, of this county and Verna A., the wife of Clarence Bahde, a banker of Frankfort, South Dakota.
Mr. and Mrs. Ellison are members of the Presbyterian church and are a most highly esteemed couple of the community. Both they attained ripe old age and for many years they have traveled life's journey together, sharing with each other in the joys and sorrows, the adversities and prosperity which checker the careers of all. On the 29th of September, 1915, they celebrated their Golden wedding. They have always endeavored to do right by their fellowmen and their good qualities have borne fruit in the respect and goodwill entertained for them.
(William Ellison, of Ireland, came to Marietta Precinct in June, 1869, from Dubuque, Ia., traveling in a covered wagon, with his wife and two small children. He built his first house of lumber which he hauled from Ashland, paying $60 per thousand for it.)
An article from "Wahoo Democrat" Thursday September 30, 1915
"Married 50 Years "Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Ellison Celebrate Their Golden Wedding Anniversary
Wednesday, Sept. 29th at W.R. Sutton Home.
LARGE ATTENDANCE:
Of invited guests were present. The weather was perfect and the entire affair most enjoyable.
A notable occasion was the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. William Ellison which took place Wednesday afternoon and evening, September 29, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W.R.Sutton, 2 1/2 miles northwest of Wahoo.
Mr. Ellison was born May 6, 1839 in County Down, Ireland. Mrs. Ellison was born in the same county and country March 9, 1848. They were married in Debuque, Iowa, September 29, 1865 by Rev. Chas. Axtell, a Presbyterian minister.
Mr. and Mrs. Ellison are among the honored pioneers of Saunders County, they having come here in 1869. They settled on a farm in Marietta precinct where they lived for many years. They came to Wahoo in 1907 and bought a home on Court house hill where they still live. For forty-five years they have been citizens of this county, they have done their part to help make it one of the best counties of the state and they are deservedly loved and honored by a large circle of friends.
Eight daughters and two sons have been born to them and they have the remarkable record of never having had a death in their immediate family. Their sons and daughters have all grown to manhood and womanhood in Saunders County where they are all living with the exception of one daughter who resides in South Dakota.
At two o'clock Wednesday afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Ellison's children, grand-children and a number of their old-time friends and neighbors gathered at the farm home of Mr. and Mrs. Sutton to participate in the celebration of their Golden wedding.
At four o'clock they stood before their pastor, Rev. J. Wallace Larkin, who preformed a ceremony in memory of the one which joined them in marriage fifty years before.
After receiving the hearty congratulations of their friends there was served and elegant four-course dinner. Those serving were Misses Selma Smith, Lillie Anderson, Isabelle Ostenberg, Mildred Rogers, Anna, Ellen and Merle Sutton.
The rooms were decorated with white and yellow and there was a profusion of yellow roses and yellow daliahs. After dinner the company sang " Blest be the tie that binds" following which the toastmaster, Rev. J. Wallace Larkin, introduced Mr. C.M. Lemar, and old friend and neighbor, who gave the toast, "Fifty years since we were wed." He spoke exceedingly well and his remarks were well received. Miss Isabella Ostenberg of Mead, then sang very sweetly and with good taste, "The End of a Perfect Day".
Mrs. James H. Ellison of Marietta was then introduced and responded to the toast., "Good Memories." She spoke eloquently and with deep feeling as she recalled the memories of the years when father and mother Ellison lived in the old farm home and she paid them hearty tribute of respect and affection.
Miss Mildred Rogers gave the nest number, singing very beautifully and effectively the songs "Beloved It Is Morn" and "Silver Threads Among the Gold."
The next and last toast, "Growing Old Gracefully" was given by Dr. F.E. Way. The doctor is always a very pleasing speaker and always says something. His remarks were greatly enjoyed.
Next came a number that was not on the program, the presentation of a beautiful clock which was the gift of some of the old friends and neighbors of Mr. and Mrs. Ellison. It was presented by the toastmaster who endeavored to express the bride and groom (of fifty years ago) something of the affection and esteem of the givers. On behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Ellison Dr. Way expressed their appreciation of the gift.
The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" closed the program and brought to a close the happy celebration of a most notable event.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Ellison, all of whom were present, are: George H. Ellison, Wm.J. Ellison, Mrs. Frank Miller, Mrs. W.H. McCord, Mrs. J.L.McCord, Mrs.W.R.Sutton, Mrs. D.C. Mowers, Mrs. Harry Woodworth, Mrs. Julius l. Monteen, Mrs. C.A. Bahde.
The grand-children are: Rolland R. Sutton, Austin E. Sutton, Anna N. Sutton, Ellen E. Sutton, Merle M. Sutton, Frances M. Sutton, Ruby I. Sutton, Harold McCord, Herbert McCord, Mildred McCord, Waldo McCord, Winnifred Ellison, Duane Ellison, Opal Ellison, Gilbert Ellison, Ruth Ellison, Leona Ellison, Eula Ellison, Wilmer Ellison, Ethel Miller, Helen Miller, Leonard Miller, Viola Woodworth, Fredrick Mowers, Ellison Bahde, Julius Dale Monteen.
Besides the children and grand-children the following guests were present: Rev. and Mrs. J. Wallace Larkin, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Martin, Debuque, Iowa; Mrs. M.S. Schofield, Mrs. Grace Oldham, Mrs. John Coady, Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Cheney, Mrs. Minnie Monteen, Mrs. Ralph Woodworth, Mr. P.G. Woodworth, Mr. Henry Woodworth, Mrs. Mildred Roger, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. H. Ellison, Mrs. Wm. J. Ellison, Mrs. Myrtle M. Ellison, Dr. and Mrs. F.E. Way, Miss Isabella Ostenberg, Mead; Miss Selma Smith, Miss Lillie Anderson, Miss Mary Scales, Mrs. Sarah Ward, Mr. and Mrs. C.M. Lemar, Mr. and Mrs. Adolph F. Hanson, Colon; Mr. James Elliott, Mr. Chas. Perky, Mr. and Mrs. Will Mitchell, Mr. Thos. Killian, Mr. Frank Miller, and Mr. W.R. Sutton.
Obituary of William Ellison
"Wahoo Democrat Newspaper" May 1920
William Ellison was born in County Down, Ireland, May 6, 1829 and died at the home of his eldest daughter, Mrs. Jas. McCord May 22, 1920, aged 91 years and 16 days.
He is survived by his ten children, two sons and eight daughters viz: Geo. H. and William J. Ellison, Mrs. Jennie McCord, Mrs. Minnie Miller, Mrs. Anna Sutton, Mrs. Emma McCord, Mrs. Myrtle Mowers, Mrs. Nellie Woodworth and Mrs. Edna Monteen all of Saunders County and Mrs. Verna Bahde of Frankfort, South Dakota and his twenty-five grand-children.
Mr. Ellison was the last survivor of a family of ten children; three brothers and six sisters, together with his beloved wife having preceded him in death. At the age of twenty-two years with other members of the family he left his native country and came to America, settling in New York state where he remained several years.
The call of the west became too strong to resist, and in the early '60's he came to Iowa settling at Dubuque. At this place on Sept. 29, 1865, he was united in marriage to Anna J. Martin. They continued their residence in Iowa until 1869 when they came to Saunders County settling upon the old homestead which became their continuous residence for thirty eight years.
Owing to Mr. Ellison's falling health they moved to Wahoo in 1907; at which time they transferred their church membership to the Wahoo Presbyterian church both having been members of the Marietta Presbyterian church; Mrs. Ellison a charter member and Mr. Ellison since 1881.
The home of this Pioneer couple was widely know for its gracious hospitality and its pervading spirit of friendliness; and no other home has been more sincerely missed from the Marietta community.
Mr. Ellison was particularly a home body; he reveled in the society of his children and grandchildren; and he was happiest when surrounded in his own home by the entire family group.
For over fifty-three years together himself and "Mamma", as he always called his companion, traveled lifes pathway sharing its joys and sorrows.
When on February 13, 1919 after an illness extending over two years death claimed her-life lost its interest for him. All the loving thoughtful care bestowed upon him by children and grandchildren was accepted in the spirit given but he longed with patient yearning to be again united with his beloved wife.
It was with calm satisfaction he answered the call of death and with unfaltering trust passed to be with the loved ones gone before.
Descendant's of William Ellison and Anna Jane Martin
Deron played 16 years in Major League Baseball
He was the grandson of William James Ellison and Edna Murle Hoagland
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