Evan O. Ellis

EVAN O. ELLIS, an attorney-at-law and general practitioner in Parsons, Kansas, is a native of Greene county, Indiana, where he was born in 1855. He is the eldest son of Ira and Mary F. (Ferguson) Ellis, respected and worthy residents of Neosho county, Kansas. Ira Ellis was born in North Carolina, in 1827, and his wife is a native of Indiana, where her birth took place in 1833. This aged and honored couple reared a family of seven children, - the youngest, who is now twenty-six years old, having charge of the homestead farm. They are as follows: Evan 0.; J. F., a tinner in Blue Mound, Illinois; Sarah, for several years a superintendent of schools in Kansas, and now attending college at Franklin, Indiana; Etta, wife of L. S. Hewitt, of Neosho county; Fanny (Radcliff) and Errett.

Mr. Ellis attended the public schools of Christian county, Illinois. In 1882 his parents settled on a farm in Neosho county, Kansas, close to the Labette county line, upon which they still reside. The first manual labor of Evan 0. Ellis was performed on his father's farm. When thirty years of age., he chose for himself a professional career. Entering the law office of J. L. Dennison, in Eric, Kansas, he commenced the study of law, and one year later, in 1889, was admitted to the bar of Neosho county. Immediately afterward, other matters claimed his attention, and he deferred practicing his chosen profession for several years. In April, 1889, he was appointed deputy sheriff of Neosho county, under Sheriff S. L. VanSandt, and filled that position very creditably for three years under that gentleman, and for one year, under his successor, C. W. Bennett. Since then Mr. Ellis' interests have been principally in Labette county. In the spring of 1894, he engaged in building bridges on the railroad and the following year (1895), he opened a law office in Parsons, at No. 1900 Johnson avenue, where he has since been engaged in practice.

Mr. Ellis' marriage with Anna Springer, of Illinois, resulted in the birth of three children, - Bessie, Paul and Harry, aged, respectively, thirteen, nine and seven years. Around their fireside at No. 611 Lincoln avenue happiness reigns supreme.

Mr. Ellis has met with unqualified success in the practice of his profession, and has always been ready and willing to further, in any possible manner, the progress of the flourishing city in which he has become so prominent. He votes a straight Republican ticket, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Knights and Ladies of Security; his wife is also a Royal Neighbor. They are devout members of the Christian church, of which Rev. C. E. Pile is pastor. They enjoy the esteem, confidence and affection of a wide circle of friends.