From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
publ. 1912, Page 1280-1282
 
ELLS BROTHERS.  One would find it necessary to search long and far to find a 
farm kept in better condition or managed under more up-to-date methods than 
that of the ELLS brothers, for they have not only worked hard and persistent 
in keeping everything in its proper place, but have been students of local 
conditions and have widely read such literature as pertains to twentieth-
century methods of husbandry, so that they have been enabled to reap just 
rewards for their pains and labors from year to year, and, owning to the 
system of their operations, they accomplish more at a less expenditure of 
labor than do most men.  They have learned that "haste makes waste" very 
frequently, and while they try to do everything with dispatch as well as 
neatness, they realize that there are times when rushing methods are not the 
best, when patience must be exercised.  They are representatives of one of our 
sterling old families, members of which have sought to do their full duty in 
the affairs of the county since casting their lot here very many years ago.
 
The ELLS Brothers firm, well known farmers and stock raisers, of the vicinity 
of Elkhorn, is composed of C. W. and F. W. ELLS, son of W. B. and Mary 
(BARKER) ELLS, the father born in Nova Scotia, February 15, 1851, and the 
mother born in Millard, Sugar Creek township, this county, March 25, 1855.  
She is the daughter of J. B. and Almeda (BARKER) BARKER, he a native of 
Batavia, Genesee county, New York, born August 1, 1823, and from there he came 
to Sugar Creek township, this county, in 1838 among the pioneers, with his 
parents, Joseph and Lucinda BARKER, who settled on a farm here, where they 
spent the balance of their lives.  Their family consisted of three daughters 
and six sons.
 
J. B. BARKER was educated in the schools, of his native community in New York 
and in those of Walworth county, Wisconsin.  Early in life he took up farming 
for a livelihood and became the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land 
here, and here he spent the balance of his life, dying in 1898, the death of 
his wife occurring on November 5, 1901.
 
The family of W. B. ELLS consisted of four sons, named as follows: E. J., born 
August 17, 1877; C. W., born October 11, 1879; F. W., born April 17, 1882; E. 
F., born June 5, 1884.
 
W. B. ELLS was less than a year old when his parents brought him to Sugar 
Creek township, Walworth county, he being the son of George and Eliza (BORDEN) 
ELLS, who settled on a farm here, establishing a very comfortable home in 
which they spent the rest of their lives, the death of the father occurring in 
July 1889, and that of the mother in January 1887.
 
W. B. ELLS grew to manhood here and received his education in the public 
schools, and here he became a farmer and owned one hundred and twenty acres, 
which he brought up to a high state of improvement and cultivation, and on 
this his sons still live, ably carrying forward the work which he 
inaugurated.  He was a strong prohibitionist, and he and his wife belonged to 
the Wesleyan Methodist church, which he served as local clerk and as secretary 
at the annual conference.  He was an active member in the church and a liberal 
supporter of the same.
 
The elder ELLS was for some time secretary of the State Telephone Company, 
also secretary of the Silver Lake Creamery and the local cemetery.  He held 
about all the township offices, and he attended county, district and state 
conventions of the Prohibitionists, always making his influence felt for the 
good of the party.  As a pubic servant he was always faithful to every trust 
reposed in him and worthily discharged his every duty.  The death of W. B. 
ELLS occurred on November 19, 1909, after a successful and useful life.  He 
was a man whom to know was to admire and respect and he numbered his friends 
only by the limits of his acquaintance.
 
C. W. ELLS, mentioned above, was born and reared in Sugar Creek township, and 
here he received his education in the public schools, and when a boy worked on 
the home farm during the crop season.  Later he attended Wheaten College, and 
early in life he took up farming for a livelihood.  Politically, he is a 
Prohibitionist, and he attends the Methodist church.  He was married on June 
25, 1908, to Carrie A. KELLAR, who was born in Belle Plaine, Iowa, November 
22, 1881.  He has remained on the home place, which, as stated, he is 
operating successfully, with his brother, caring on general farming and stock 
raising.
 
F. W. ELLIS, who, with his brother, conducts the homestead, was also born and 
reared in Sugar Creek township, and here he received his education in the 
public schools, and he has devoted his life to farming.  Politically, he is a 
Prohibitionist.  He has remained single.
 
The ELLS brothers, in connection with general farming, are making a specialty 
of dairying, for which they are exceptionally well equipped, handling good 
stock and having excellent buildings.  They keep a fine herd of thoroughbred 
Holstein cattle, which, owing to their superior quality, find a very ready 
sale when offered on the market.  They are each young men of much business 
promise and they have led exemplary lives, so that they have the respect and 
good will of their fellow men.
 
E. W. ELLS, 
 
Submitted by Carol