First Marriage:
Ebenezer Gould and a woman, name not known, were united in marriage in Eldora, in September, 1856, by Judge Ellis Parker. They were the first couple residing in the township to be united in the holy bonds of wedlock. They lived in the township until 1860, when they sold their farm to L.L. Durham and removed to Missouri, where Mr. Gould has since died.
The first marriage where the ceremony was performed in the township was Daniel White and Miss L. Lucretia Oviatt, who were married March 13, 1857, by Sidney Peck, Esq., of Ellis township. The couple still live in the township on section 9, and have been blessed with eight children.
First Death:
Allen Downs died in April, 1855. This was the first death in the township. Mr. Downs resided on section 29, on the farm now owned by L.J. Shepherd.
Postoffices: (sp)
Ellis township, with no village or town has two postoffices--one known as Cottage {pstoffice, located on section 32, on the northeast quarter; the other known as Ellis Postoffice, located on section 5.
Cottage Postoffice was established in 1860, on section 29, and Sidney Peck appointed Postmaster. Mr. Peck held until 1965, when L.J. Shepherd was appointed. Mr. Shepherd continued to discharge the duties of the office until 1870, when he was succeeded by L.L. Durham, who continued two years to discharge the duties of the office. A.B. Bronson was then appointed, and held the office until 1876, when Mrs. Katsch became postmistress. Mrs. Katsch resigned in August, 1882, in favor of W.A. Caraway.
A store was established at Cottage Postoffice in 1870, by Andrew B. Bronson, in a log house on the northeast quarter of section 32. He remained in business in this building until 1873, when he removed into a more convenient frame house erected for the purpose. In 1876 he sold out to Fred. Katsch, who still carries on the business that will average $7,000 per year.
Religious
The first religious services in what is now Ellis township, were held at the house of Henry Cooper, in 1855, by a United Brethren Minister, who name cannot be recalled. During the same summer a class of the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at the house of J.B.B. Oviatt, by Rev. Holcomb, with the following named members: J.M.B. Oviatt, Class Leader; Mrs. C.G. Oviatt, Sarah J. Cooper, Margaret Johnson, Mary S. Oviatt and L. Lucretia Oviatt.
During the same summer a Sabbath school was organized with Fabian Beard as Superintendent. There were about twenty scholars enrolled.
The class organized by Mr. Holcomb was sustained until 1874, when Rev. T.W. Anderson organized a new class in Ellis School district, embracing some of the members from the old class. The following named comprised the new class: Lewis Stuart, Class Leader; Cynthia Stuart, Martha Stuart, Ira B. Stuart and wife, Mr. Orr and wife, Mrs. Euphamie Chatfield, Joseph Barber, Mrs. Anna Manning, O.G. Oviatt and L. Lucretia White. A Sabbath school is usually maintained in the summer. During the summer of 1882, D.F. Orr was the Superintendent, and there were about fifty scholars enrolled.
Among those ministers who have held regular services at this point were Rev. Thomas Hamilton, Rev. T.N. Anderson, Rev. Robinson, Rev. J. N. Bldogett, Rev. Thomas Hamilton, the second time; Rev. R.L. Henion, and Rev. J.D. Shafford, the present minister.
The present officers of the Society, are L.M. Stuart, Class Leader; Joseph Barber, Steward; Of the Sabbath School, B.D. Orr, Superintendent; Mr. Johnson, Assistant Superintendent; Mr. Hillhouse, Treasurer.
Educational:
The first school was held in a log house built by R. and D.C. Kennedy, in 1857. They received the contract from the district for building the house and whipsawed all the logs by hand. It was completed in September, and a six months school held therein commencing in October, and taught by G.L. Morrell. The teacher subsequently was married, purchased a farm in Buckeye township, where he still resides.
There are now eight good substantial frame school houses in the township valued at $4.000. There are 220 persons between the ages of five and twenty-one. The average compensation of teachers for the year ending Oct., 1881, was $25 per month.
Ellis Library Association:
A joint stock company was organized in 1877, for the purpose of purchasing and operating a library. The Association is composed principally of citizens of the township. T.I. McChesney was its first President, and Daniel White its first librarian. The Association has now in the library 132 volumes of good books.and a fund of $50 on hand for the pruchase of new ones. Mrs. C.E. Gilbert is the present Librarian, and H.H. Packard, Secretary. The library is kept at the house of C.E. Gilbert.
Manufactories:
While an exclusive agricultural township, with no town within its borders, Ellis township has a few manufactories worthy of notice.
Stacy's Ditcher--W. Stacy some few years ago invented a ditching machine, which has proven an unqualified success. Mr. Stacy has a manufactory located on section 28, where these machines are made, together with the Boss Washing Machine.
Caraway's Cheese Factory--A cheese factory was established at Cottage Postoffice, in this township, in the spring of 1881, by W.A. Caraway.
McMillinen's Cheese Factory--The factory is located on section 5, and is a grand building. It was erected in August 1881. Mr. McMillen also carries a stock of groceries.
Blacksmith-- A.P. Jensen build a shop at Cottage postoffice, and commenced a general blacksmithing business in 1874.