DAVID ELLIS was born in Henry County, Ky., September 17, 1838, and is a son of Robert and Mary E. (Chamberlain) Ellis, also natives of Kentucky. David Ellis, subject's grandfather, was a native of Virginia. He settled in Bourbon County, Ky., several years prior to 1800, and died in that part of the State as early as 1820. Subject's maternal ancestors came from Virginia and were of English descent, William Chamberlain, the grandfather, was a native of Bourbon County, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died of cholera in the year 1833. Robert Ellis was born in Bourbon County in 1811, was a farmer by occupation and died September 16, 1863. His wife, subject's mother, was born in either 1820 or 1821, and died in 1858. The following children were born to Robert and Mary Ellis: William C., David, George C. (deceased), Luey T. (deceased), Marietta, Elizabeth, James P., Florence and Rowena. David Ellis received his first practical lessons on the farm, where the first twenty-five years of his life were spent. In 1862 he entered the Confederate service, enlisting in Company B, Fourth Kentucky Cavalry, which served under corps commanders, Breckinridge, Buckuer, Longstreet, Early and Morgan. Mr. Ellis was with his regiment in all its campaigns, which were very severe, and participated in battles at Knoxville, Perryville, Mt. Sterling, Cynthiana, and a number of others. He was captured with Morgan at Cynthiana and taken to Lexington, and later to Indianapolis, where he was kept in close confinement for a period of ten months, until his exchange in 1864. At the close of the war Mr. Ellis returned to Carroll County, where he engaged in farming and where he lived until 1875. In the latter year he moved to Crittenden County, and in 1877 came to Livingston County, purchasing his present beautiful home on the Ohio River, above Carrsville, where he has since resided. Mr. Ellis at the present time is engaged in farming, trading and boating, in all of which he is meeting with a reasonable degree of success. He was married, September 9, 1873, to Joanna, daughter of G. W. and Sarah A. (Blesssing) Ross, of Carroll County. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are the parents of four children: Clara S. (deceased), Esther I., Mary Agnes and Willie (deceased). Mr. Ellis belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is a consistent member of the Christian Church.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 817-818.