DAVID ELLMORE
Page 452
DAVID ELLMORE
Page 452
|
DAVID ELLMORE. The tastes of men give rise to varied wants and occupations. Some find their enjoyment in the bustle of the busy haunts of men, and some amid the less exciting scenes of rural life, while others combine the two. The latter is the case with the subject of this biographical sketch, whose home is a cozy residence in Mason City, while his attention is devoted to the cultivation of his valuable farm in Mason City Township. His estate comprises three hundred and forty acres, of which the entire tract, but twenty acres, has been placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with all the accessories of a model farm. The parents of our subject, Peter and Elizabeth (Victor) Ellmore, were natives respectively of Virginia and Pennsylvania, and both died in Green County, Ky. The former was born June 15, 1797, and died December 31, 1859, and the latter was born September 22, 1799, and died October 2, 1854. The father was a farmer by occupation, as was also the grandfather, William Ellmore. David was born in Green County, Ky., January 19, 1838, and spent his boyhood days in his native place, where he received a common-school education. In boyhood he assisted his father, who was an extensive tobacco raiser. His career as a farmer began in the spring of 1858, at which time he settled in Green County, Ill., near the city of Jacksonville, making his home in that place until the fall of 1860. Coming at that time to Mason County, Mr. Ellmore settled in Mason City Township, where he has since conducted extensive and profitable farming operations. From time to time he made improvements in the place, until at the present time it ranks among the best in the locality. The fields are separated by a good system of fencing and are devoted some to the pasturage of stock and others to the raising of grain. In October of 1891 Mr. Ellmore came to Mason City, and during the following year erected the elegant residence which his family now occupies. In politics his is a pronounced Democrat, and in public improvements maintains a commendable interest. November 28, 1858, Mr. Ellmore was united in marriage with Miss Margaret T. Hill, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of William B. Hill, whose birth also occurred in Tennessee. Mrs. Ellmore died April 5, 1877, leaving seven children. The family originally numbered eight children, as follows: John E., now deceased; William F., who died in infancy; David O., residing in Colorado; Edward P., in Nevada; Wiley W., a resident of Mason County; Dora May, the wife of D. S. Wingler, of Salem, Ind.; George Clinton, who is at home, and Walter Scott, living in Denver, Colo. The second marriage of Mr. Ellmore took place April 10, 1879, his wife being Miss Bettie A, Skaggs, a native of Kentucky. Her parents, Jerry and Mary (Larimore) Skaggs, were born in the Blue Grass State, where they now live in Taylor County. Her grandfather, Richard Skaggs, died in January, 1890, at the age of more than four score years. Mr. and Mrs. Ellmore are the parents of three children, Leona Sherman, Lloyd Cleveland and Lounettie, all of whom are bright and intelligent children. The family residence is a two-story structure, pleasantly located on the corner of Chestnut and South Menard Streets, and furnished in a manner indicative of the refined taste of the inmates. In their religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Ellmore are identified with the Baptist Church, and they are always generous contributors to benevolent projects. Mr. Ellmore has always been a man of temperate habits. And to this fact may be ascribed the excellent health he has ever enjoyed. He is looked upon with respect by his fellow-men as an honorable citizen and kind-hearted man, while the lovable disposition and pleasing manners of his wife win many friends. |