Thomas William Ellison
Thomas William Ellison was born at West Union, Ohio, August 11, 1859, the son of Thomas and Mary McNeilan Ellison. His grandfather. James Ellison, was born near Dublin. Ireland. December 25, 1776. and died September 5, 1865. He was a member of the royal bodyguard of the king of England for sixteen years. He was married to Mary Stewart in 1806.
Thomas Ellison, father of our subject, was born in Adams County in 1822. He followed farming in his early life, eventually engaged in merchandising. He was a man of fine appearance, pleasing address, and very much liked by his acquaintances and friends. He was very popular, was a Democrat, and as such was elected Treasurer of Adams County, and served from to . When the war broke out, he went with the 70th O. V. I. as sutler. Later he located in Tunica County, Mississippi, where he engaged in cotton raising. He was also interested in the steamer Natonia, which plied on the Mississippi River. He died July 16, 1868, at West Union, Ohio.
Mary McNeilan Ellison was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, March 6, 1820. She was married to Thomas Ellison, May 29, 1843, at West Union, Ohio. They had five children, Arthur Stewart, who died August 22, 1867; Jennie, deceased wife of Isaac Boatman, of Gallia County.Ohio; Annie, widow of H. R. Bradbury, of Gallipolis, Ohio; Thomas W., the subject of this sketch, and Sarah Matilda, who died September 24, 1882. Mrs. Mary Ellison died September 16, 1898.
Our subject was reared in West Union, and received his education in the village schools. He began business life as a clerk, having charge of the dry goods store of Mauck & Bradbury, at Cheshire, Ohio, for two years. After that firm closed out, he returned to West Union and clerked for R. W. Treber for three years. In April, 1882, in company with J. W. Hook, he engaged in the real estate and insurance business at West Union under the firm name of Ellison & Hook. Some time after, he disposed of his interest in that firm to John W. McClung, and accepted the superintendency of the Wilson Children's Home, March 8, 1889, and still holds that position.
He was married at Bloomington, August 30, 1882, to Elizabeth Kirker, a native of Hamilton, Hancock County, Illinios, and a member of the well known Kirker family of Adams County. She is a daughter of George and Mary Elizabeth Baird Kirker, and a grandniece of the Hon. Thomas Kirker, once Governor of Ohio. Mrs. Ellison's parents were born, reared, and married in Adams County, but moved to Hamilton County, Illinois, and then to Kendall County, in the same State. Mrs. Ellison has served as Matron of the Wilson Children's Home since her husband's employment as Superintendent, and it is greatly due to her labors that the institution has reached the high standard it has among the children's homes in the country. She is a member of the West Union Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Ellison has served as a member of the West Union Council and School Board, and always has taken an active interest in public affairs. In his political views, he is a Democrat. In 1888, he took a prominent part in the organization of the Adams County Agricultural Society. He was elected its Secretary, and has held that position since its organization. It is due to his labors that the society has been so well managed and successful. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at West Union, and the Masonic Chapter at Manchester. He is a member of the Calvary Commandery, Knights Templar, at Portsmouth, Ohio. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias at West Union. He is not a member of any church, but is a believer in the Presbyterian doctrines. Mr. Ellison is a public spirited citizen, and is highly esteemed in his entire circle of acquaintances.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900