Martha was the daughter of Rufus & Frances Carpenter. She married Rasselas Ellis on March 24, 1869 in Carroll, Iowa. They were the parents of Francis Ward, Guy, Daniel Rufus, James W, Wilbur, (Eila Maude) Mrs Grant Pelley, (Flora M) Mrs JW Libby, (Florence) Mrs H Cottrill, (Ella A "Nellie") Mrs M Mulberry, and (Sarah Mabel "May Belle") Mrs Percy Goslin.


The Odebolt News - December 30, 1926 - We briefly reported last week the death of Mrs Martha A Ellis who passed away at her home in Odebolt at 3:30 last Tuesday morning Dec 21 after many years of ill health and suffering. Her passing is sorely felt by those near and dear to her.

Mrs Ellis is one of the pioneer women of Sac county, having lived here 60 years. She has lived through and endured the many hardships the early settlers had to contend with but she, together with her husband, were equal to the occasion, making the best of their situations.

Martha Ann Carpenter, was born near Seymour, Indiana Sept 10, 1848 and died at Odebolt Dec 21, 1926 at the age of 78 years, 3 months, and 11 days. In 1866 she came with her parents to Grant City, Iowa and three years later March 24, 1869 she was united in marriage to R Ellis at Carroll, Iowa.

To this union were born 10 children, 5 sons and 5 daughters, all of whom survive except one son, who preceded her in death.

Those who remain and mourn a loving mother are: D.R. Ellis and Mrs F.W. Libby of Odebolt; Rev J.W. Ellis of Colorado Springs, CO; F.W. Ellis of Alta; Mrs Grant Pelly of Auburn; Mrs Herbert Cotrill of St Lawrence, SD; Mrs Harvey Mulberry of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Mrs Percy Goslin of Hillboro, SD; and Wilbur Ellis of Hawarden, Iowa. She also leaves 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

To her husband, who passed away two years ago last April, she was a faithful wife, to her children a most devoted mother. Though a great sufferer for many years, she bore her lot with the fortitude and never lost faith in her God.

Funeral services were held for her in the little chapel, her former spiritual home at Grant City, near where she was also laid to rest in the cemetery, beside her husband.

The Odebolt News - December 23, 1926 - Mrs. R. Ellis, whose serious illness has been reported for the past few weeks, died Tuesday morning, December 21, at 3:30 at her home. Mrs. Ellis has been a sufferer for many years.

The deceased was 78 years old and leaves to mourn five daughter and four sons. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis moved to Odebolt three years ago from Grant City, Iowa where they had lived for many years. Mr. Ellis died three years ago.

Short funeral services will be held at the home this Thursday, afternoon and the body will be taken to Grant City, where services will be held in the M.E. church. Rev. John A. Kettle will have charge of the services.