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JOHN A. ELY
Among the stock dealers of Pike county none are, perhaps, better or more favorably known than the subject of this sketch. Mr. Ely is a native of Ralls county, Missouri, where he was born January 24, 1836. He is the son of John and Sarah (Fike) Ely, who were natives of Kentucky. His youth was spent on the farm and in attending the district schools of the county. Just before attaining his majority, on September 10, 1856, he was married to Miss Mary A. Lane, daughter of Frederick Lane, who was among the first settlers of Pike county and who located near Frankford many years ago. Some years ago Mr. Ely moved upon the farm where he now resides, which is known as the William McPike farm, and which contains about 750 acres of most excellent land. Here he has devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising, producing about five thousand bushels of wheat per annum and handling many mules and cattle, his mule sales alone amounting last year to some twelve thousand five hundred dollars. He also handles great numbers of cattle, having about 200 on hand at the present time. Mr. Ely is no doubt the largest dealer in mules in the county and he is always ready to buy any stock of this kind, while he is also prepared to put upon the market at any time such character of stock of this kind as the trade may seem to demand. Although Mr. Ely is living upon a rented farm he has no less than 386 acres of most excellent land of his own, 266 acres near Ashley and 120 acres not far from the town of Bowling Green. While Mr. Ely is recognized as one of the best, as well as one of the largest, traders in the county, his fair and honorable dealing has gained him the confidence of the public and the respect of all who are personally acquainted with him. He is a member of the Masonic order and also of the Knights of Honor.
He served four years in the Confederate army with General Sterling Price. He moved to North Dakota in March 1884, settle on a tree claim near Maples, then ten years on a cattle ranch in the Mouse river country. He was a North Dakota State Representative and was instrumental in securing statehood.
The history of Pike County, Missouri lists his date of birth as 24 Jan 1846. This would make him only around 10 years old when he married Mary Amanda Lane on 10 Sep 1856. The 1850 census shows him 13 years old and the 1860 age 24 years.
The following news items and articles are all transcribed from the Hansboro Pioneer newspaper. The items included in this file were published between April 1, 1907 and May 31, 1907.
April 4, 1907
LOCAL NEWS
Cando held an exciting election Monday. Harry Lord won over Col. Ely for Mayor and S.J. Atkins defeated N.O. Johnson for alderman. The only plum that carried and money with it, was the city treasurership, which was won by Robert Gillies over A.L. Bradley. The bonds for a sewer system carried.
Oral History as told by Nancy Harris (Great Granddaughter)
John A. Ely raised a company of soldiers. Was called Col. Ely and fought for the south in the Civil War. Union soldiers came looking for him and stuck bayonets into the mattress Amanda L. Ely and newborn Sarah were on.
Mrs. Ely had auburn hair and called Sarah "Dolly". John and Amanda moved to N. Dakota with Sarah and her family. My father (Clark L. Harris) told me they depended on Sarah - "My grandmother didn't know how to cope because she'd had slaves."
Bowling Green Times, Missouri, March 21, 1918
COL John A. Ely, Dies in Cando, N.D.
"If I go first across death's line I will return and claim you mine - Because I love you."
As peacefully as a little child entering dreamland, Col. John A. Ely, pioneer and honored citizen, passed away into that "dreamless sleep" on Saturday night last at his home in this City. It had been a day of intense suffering, as the dread cancer in his right cheek, from which he had suffered for years, closed its tentacles on his ebbing vitality, and for him life was done. Foredoomed, but spartan in spirit and unconquered courage, he had kept life's routine in order, borne his cross without murmering - his last thought was for her, whose love, with his for her, had made the closing scene one of sublime beauty and grandeaur. No finer picture this side of Heaven was ever painted then that of this dual companionship, welded by the white flame of perfect love and devotion into unity. Such life has no death.
Col. John A. Ely was born at New London, Mo., January 24, 1836; passed away at Cando, N.D., March 2, 1918,at 82 years of age. He was married at New London to Miss Mary A. Lane, on September 10, 1856. To this happy union seven children were born, five of whom are now living. One son, Jesse O. Ely died about forty years ago; another son, Fred A. Ely, was killed recently in an auto accident near New Rockford. The five living children are; William H. Ely, of Hannibal, Mo.; Sarah Helen (Mrs. F.M. harris), Cando; J. Morgan Ely, of Grangeville, Idaho; Mrs. Elizabeth B. Wells, Calio, N.D.; Mrs. Mary L. Salyards, Duluth, Minn. All children except the son in Idaho, who is ill, were present at the funeral. Col. Ely leaves to survive him, besides his widow and children, one sister, Mrs. Delsina (Dulcena) West, of Kansas City, Mo.; twenty grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, March 8, from the Presbyterian Church, in Cando, in which deceased had always been deeply interested. The sermon was preached by the Rev. George B. Denison, a friend of the family for many years; beautiful and appropriate music was rendered, and many floral tokens of love and esteem presented. Col. Ely had been a true Mason since 1856, and the local lodge took charge after the church services, laying the remains to rest in the Odd Fellows cemetery according to the rites and ceremonies of that order.
His was a long life, croweded with eventful history, in the making of which Col. Ely bore no little part. While in Missouri he farmed and engaged in the mule buying trade. He was a Confederate veteran of the Civil War, having served four years under Gen. Sterling Price. Coming to North Dakota in March 1884, he settled on a tree claim near Mapes, then spent ten years on a cattle ranch in the Mouse River country; he was registrar in the land office in Minot for four years, beginning in 1893, moving then to Duluth, Minn., where he lived until coming to Cando seventeen years ago. This place has been his home since; he has conducted a grain and wood business, has farmed, and always a respected and honored citizen. In early territorial days Col. Ely was prominent in politics, was a representative in the Legislature, and instrumental in securing the admission of the territory into the Union. He believed that the outcome of the Civil War ws best for the nation and that Lincoln was the best friend the South ever had.
Note: History of Pike County Missouri 1883, Mills & Company, 1883 page 84
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Aged Pioneer Passes Away
"If I go first across death's line I will return and claim you mine - Because I love you."
As peacefully as a little child entering dreamland, Col John A. Ely, pioneer and honored citizen, passed away into that "dreamless sleep" on Saturday night last at his home in this city. It had been a day of intense suffering, as the dread cancer in his right cheek, from which he had suffered for years, closed its tentacles on his ebbing vitality, and for him life was done. Foredoomed, but spartan in spirit and unconquered courage, he had kept life's routine in order, borne his cross without murmering - his last thought was for her whose love, with his for her, had made the closing scene one of sublime beauty and grandeur. No finer picture, this side of heaven, was ever painted that that of this dual companionship, welded by the white flame of perfect love and devotion into unity. Such life has no death.
Col. John A. Ely was born at New London, Mo., Jan. 24, 1836, passed away at Cando, N.D., Mar. 2nd, 1918, at 82 years of age. He was married at New London to Miss Mary A. Lane, on Sept. 10, 1856. To this happy union seven children were born, five of whom are now living. One son, Jesses O. Ely died about 40 years ago; another son Fred A. Ely, was killed recently in an auto accident near New Rockford. The five living children are: William H. Ely, of Hannibal, Mo., Sarah Helen (Mrs. F.M. Harris) Cando; J. Morgan Ely, of Grangeville, Idaho; Mrs. Elizabeth B. Wells, Calio N.D., Mrs. Mary L. Salyards, Duluth, Minn., all children except the son in Idaho, who is ill, were present at the funeral. Col. Ely leaves to survive him, beside his widow and children, one sister, Mrs. Delsina (Dulcena) West, of Kansas City, Mo., twenty grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, Mar. 8, from the Presbyterian church, in Cando, in which deceased had always been deeply interested. The sermon was preached by Rev. Geo. B. Denison, a friend of the family for many years; beautiful and appropriate music was rendered, and many floral tokens of love and esteem presented. Col. Ely had been a true Mason since 1856, and the local lodge took charge after the church service, laying the remains to rest in the Odd Fellows cemetery according to the rites and ceremonies of that order.
His was a long life, crowded with eventful history, in the making of which Col Ely bore no little part. While in Missouri he farmed and engaged in the mule buying trade. He was a confederate veteran of the Civil War, having served four years under Gen. Sterling Price. Coming to North Dakota in March, 1884, he settle on a tree claim near Mapes, then spent 10 years on a cattle ranch in the Mouse River country; he was Registrar in the land office in Minot for four years, beginning in 1895, moving then to Duluth, Minn., where he lived until coming to Cando seventeen years ago. This place has been his home since; he has conducted a grain and wood business, has farmed, and always a respected and honored citizen. In early territorial days Col. Ely was prominent in politics, was a representative in the legislature, and instrumental in securing the admission of the territory into the Union. He believed that the outcome of the Civil War was best for the nation, and that Lincoln was the best friend the south ever had.
Note: Red River Valley Genealogy Society, 1978, Towner County, North Dakota
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