ELLIS, Oscar W. - Putnam

OSCAR W. ELLIS, farmer and dairyman, Greencastle Township, was born in Alexandria, Virginia, June 16, 1831, son of John W. and Sarah E. Ellis, the former a native of Virginia, of English ancestry, and the latter of England. To the parents were born thirteen children, of whom eleven are living--Mary, wife of Frank Jean, of Los Angeles, California; Thomas O., of Sullivan County, this State; Ann M., wife of George Riggs, of Nebraska; Virginia, now Mrs. Robert McCormick, of Missouri; Eldridge R., of Coatesville, Indiana; Robert, of Sullivan County; Olivia, wife of George Warner, of the same county, and Oscar W. In 1834 our subject came to Indiana with his parents who settled in Sullivan County, and remained there until their decease. They were pioneers of the county. They had to cut their lumber with a whip-saw, and made their floors of puncheons. Their nearest town was Vincennes, twenty miles distant. The father was one of the first county officers, and served as overseer of the poor, and as township trustee several years. He died in 1870, and his funeral was said to be the largest ever held in Sullivan County. He was a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and contributed liberally to that church, being especially liberal to the poor people. He was a man of untiring energy and determination. When he came to this State he had about nine dollars in money and a few household goods. At his death his estate was estimated at $20,000. In politics he was a Democrat. Oscar W. Ellis was reared to manhood in Sullivan County, and has been a life-long farmer. During the past twenty years he has devoted much attention to the dairy business, which has proved to be quite profitable. January 7, 1858, he married to Sarah E. Buck, born May 9, 1834, in New Jersey, and a daughter of William and Pharzena Buck, the former a native of England, and the latter of New Jersey. Her parents emigrated to Vigo County, this State, in 1836, thence to Greene County in a few years. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are the parents of seven children, five living--Pharzina, wife of John Keller, of Greencastle; Hattie, William, Mary, at present attending DePauw University, and Edward. In 1861 our subject removed to this county, and has resided here ever since. He owns a fine farm of eighty acres, and resides on section 31. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has served as Sunday-school superintendent, steward and class-leader. In politics he is a Democrat.