My Genealogy Hound

ELLIS PENCE, merchant, Sardinia. Ellis Pence, the leading merchant of Sardinia, was born near Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio, September 25, 1851. His father, George Pence, was born in Highland County February 28, 1816, and was a son of Henry and Catharine Pence, who were natives of Pennsylvania and early pioneers of Highland County, where the former died at a very advanced age. His mother, Catharine Wilkin, was born July 15, 1819. Her parents, Philip and Polly Wilkin, were born in Pennsylvania, and removed to Highland County, Ohio, prior to the late war with Great Britain. Mr. Wilkin was a soldier in that war, as also was Mr. Pence. He died, and Mrs. Wilkin still occupies the old homestead, near Hillsboro. Mr. Pence, the subject of this sketch, is the third son of a family of eight children, four of whom are living. He was reared to manhood on his father’s farm, and acquired his education in the Hillsboro High Schools and in Tiffin College, of Tiffin, Ohio. In June, 1873, he retired from college, and engaged in the profession of teaching, which he followed successfully for seven years — from 1870 to 1877. He also taught vocal music for the same length of time in connection with his other business. In August, 1878, he removed to Sardinia, and formed partnership with J. C. West, with the style of the firm as West & Pence, and embarked in the mercantile business. They did business together till January 26, 1881, when the firm dissolved, and Mr. Pence resumed merchandising alone, which he has pursued with fine success. He carries a fine stock of general merchandise to the amount of about, $5,000, and does an annual trade of $10,000. Mr. Pence celebrated his marriage November 17, 1876, with Miss Margaret L. Langley, a native of Highland County, where she was born March 17, 1854. She is a daughter of La Fayette and Susan E. Langley. The former was born in Pennsylvania June 4, 1825, and the latter in Kentucky February 18, 1832. They were married in Highland County November 7, 1850. Three children were the fruits of this union — John T. (born March 16, 1852), Margaret L. (now Mrs. Pence) and Isaac N. (born January 25, 1858). Mr. Pence and his lady are members of the Reformed Church, but in Sardinia they associate with the M. E. Church. Mr. Pence is a gentleman of high moral character, sterling integrity and upright business principles, and he and his estimable wife have won many friends in Sardinia.