James B. Ellingwood was born in Vernon township, two miles west of Fortville, September 29, 1881, a son of Oliver and Adeline (Morgan) Ellingwood, the former of whom was born at the old home place in Vernon township, Hancock county, and the latter in Fall Creek township, Hamilton county, Indiana. The paternal grandfather was Joshua Ellingwood. The maternal grandparents were James and Sarah (Manship) Morgan, both natives of North Carolina. They came to Indiana in 1828 and located on a tract of government land in Fall Creek township, Hamilton county. There they established a home and remained the rest of their days. James Morgan was an old-line Democrat and very active in the affairs of his party; he was also a prominent Baptist.

The father of James Morgan, and great-grandfather on the maternal side, was Elias Morgan; his wife's maiden name was Elizabeth Stafford, both natives of Raleigh, North Carolina. They came to Indiana in 1828, and located on government land near Olio, Fall Creek township, Hamilton county. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and also in the War of 1812; served in Marion's command in the south during the Revolution. He was an old-line Democrat before and after coming to Indiana, a firm believer in the political faith of his ancestors. The parents of Sarah (Manship) Morgan were also natives of North Carolina, and came to Indiana in 1829, entering a tract of land adjoining that of the Morgans. Her father was also a soldier in the Revolutionary War.

Samuel Dilley, a soldier of the War of 1812, and the father of the paternal grandmother, came from Ohio in 1830, and settled on a farm near Charlottesville, Indiana. He was wounded in action and was a cripple for life. The farm is now owned by his daughter. The grandmother of James B. Ellingwood was working at the present site of Fortville when the town was laid out the Cephus Fort. Her mother was a Fort.

Oliver Ellingwood, father of the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools and followed the occupation of farming. Until 1905 he lived on the home place, a farm of eighty acres. Then he bought a farm of eighty acres north of Fortville, in Madison county, where he now lives. His wife died in August, 1914. Mr. Ellingwood uses modern methods in farming and makes a specialty of corn growing, in which he is an expert. His children are: James B., Sarah and Ernest, who is a teacher in Vernon township, Hancock county. Mr. Ellingwood is a member of the Christian church, as were his people before him.

James B. Ellingwood was educated in the public schools and in the high school of Fortville, from which he graduated in 1901. He attended the Tri-State Normal School for two years. He then entered the Physio-Medical College, at Indianapolis, and completed the course of study and graduated from that institution in 1907. Prior to that he had been engaged in teaching in Fall Creek township and other places for two years or more. After completing his medial course he was associated in the practice with physicians in Indianapolis for about three years, then came to Fortville and has since continued in the practice here.

On June 25, 1904, James B. Ellingwood was married to Louisa Goldsmith, of Fortville, a daughter of Cicero and Sarah Goldsmith, pioneer settlers of Fall Creek township, Hamilton county. The children of this union are: Ellen, Clarice, Myra and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Ellingwood are members of the Christian church. His fraternal affiliations are with the Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the National Physio-Medical Association, and also a member of the local board of pension examiners. In 1916 Doctor Ellingwood was a candidate for the county commissioner on the Democratic ticket.

Transcribed from History of Hancock County, Indiana, Its People, Industries and Institutions by George J. Richman, B. L., Federal Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916. Page 1080-1082.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI November 12, 2001.

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