My Genealogy Hound

R. J. Ellis, one of the oldest settlers of Mitchell Township, and among its leading farmers, is a native of Tennessee, and came to this county in 1856 with his father, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres, remaining upon it for three years. Then he accepted a position as overseer of a large plantation owned by Jesse Cross, D. J. Burt and Maj. Wynne, a position that he held until the breaking out of the war, when he joined the Confederate army, in Company C, of the Thirteenth Arkansas Infantry, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Richmond, Murfreesboro and a number of others. He was taken sick at Murfreesboro and sent to the hospital, where he received his discharge and returned home. He was also shot at the battle of Belmont in the arm, by a minie ball. Mr. Ellis sold his farm in 1865, and moved to Shelby County, Tenn., where he remained until 1871, engaged in farming one year, and the rest of the time operating a saw and grist mill. In 1871 he returned to Cross County, entered 103 acres under the homestead laws, and now has sixty-one acres under cultivation, with good buildings. Born in Carroll County, Tenn., in 1833, he is the son of William and Elizabeth (Allin) Ellis, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively, and the parents of ten children. William Ellis moved to Arkansas in 1849, and located in this county, bought a farm of eighty acres, partially improved, and remained until 1865, then returning to Tennessee, where he died the following year; his wife survived him until 1886. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church. R. J. Ellis was married, in 1856, to Miss Sophia Burks, and they became the parents of five children, two of whom are living: W. A. and Elizabeth (the wife of John Stephens). Mrs. Ellis died in 1873, and Mr. Ellis married his second wife in 1875. She was formerly Miss Mollie Airs, and lived about four years after marriage. In 1881 Mr. Ellis married Mrs. Mary Robinson (nee Mitchell). Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are members of the Seven Day Baptist Church, his first and second wives having belonged to the Missionary Baptist Church. He is a member of the County Wheel and is a strong Democrat, taking an active interest in the politics of the day.