In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1817
From History of Boone County, Missouri. Written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources; including a history of its townships, towns, and villages. Together with a condensed history (1882)
E. P. ELLIS.
Elisha Patterson Ellis, one of the most substantial farmers of Boone county, and a man of superior intelligence and energy, was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, September 1 1th, 1817. His parents were Peter and Eleanor (Patterson) Ellis. They left St. Louis county the year after Elisha was born, and settled on the farm now known as the William Bass place, two and one-half miles north of Ashland, Boone county, Missouri. The elder Ellis was successful in life, being able, at his death, to give each of his ten children a farm of 160 acres of excellent land. Elisha Ellis was reared on the home place, remaining with his parents until he was twenty-five years old. He availed himself of every opportunity to procure an education, and when he went forth in the world to work out his own destiny he was well prepared for the duties of life. In 1841 he came in possession of the farm upon which he now lives. Except the dwelling, which he afterwards enlarged, the land was unimproved. He moved to this place in the spring of 1843, having the year previous married Mary Jane Sheley, sister of Judge Sheley, of Independence, Missouri. Mr. Ellis has lived on this farm since settling it, except two years, from the spring of 1873 to 1875, spent in the commission business with the firm of Godlove & Ellis, St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Ellis was married to Mrs. Mary Jacobs, of Holden, Johnson county, Missouri, formerly a native of Clark county, Kentucky. Mr. Ellis was for many years general of militia. Has been a member of New Salem Baptist church for forty years. Since 1840, Gen. Ellis has been steadily engaged in the mule trade, buying work mules and taking them South. His farm consists of 320 acres, situated four miles northeast of Ashland and fifteen miles southeast of Columbia, in one of the richest and most beautiful sections of this country.
As printed in History of Boone County, Missouri. Written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources; including a history of its townships, towns, and villages. Together with a condensed history (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1882. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.