b. November 30, 1807, in Warsaw, Kentucky; d. March 10, 1878. Ellis served as Deputy Sheriff of Sangamon County, Illinois. He was then a salesman in James D. Henry's store. Ellis later entered a groceries and provisions business with Archer G. Herndon. In 1844, Ellis was Treasurer of Sangamon County for one term and afterwards was the postmaster in Springfield, Illinois (1849-1853), under Presidents Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore. In 1850, Ellis owned real estate worth $950. For a few years he was in the business of merchandising in the firm of J. Williams and Company. Later, he worked as a general delivery clerk in the post office in Springfield. In 1864 Ellis moved to his farm in Moro, Illinois.