Thomas Ellis was the son of Jacob and his first wife Elizabeth (Bird) Ellis.

From Henry News-Republican (Illinois) – Aug. 29, 1912 and Ford County Press – Aug. 23, 1912

Thomas Ellis was born Sept. 16, 1820, in Sangamon County, Illinois, on a farm which now lies in the heart of the city of Springfield, which then was a mere hamlet of only four log houses. He was one of a family of 15 children of whom only the youngest, Isaac Ellis of Sullivan, is now alive. [His father Jacob and his uncle Levi Dwire Ellis are credited with founding Springfield.]

While yet a little lad, the family removed to a farm near Canton, where he grew to manhood. The father, a sturdy pioneer, was of the Methodist faith, preaching the gospel on the Sabbath, plying the trade of blacksmith on weekdays and during the dull seasons teaching school in his shop. In that early day the Indians were neighbors and playmates and among the youthful experiences of the boy Thomas, was the troubles and alarms of Black Hawk's war. [From "The History of Fulton County" - The remains of an Indian village, just across Spoon River from Ellisville on Sec. 32. See more at Bird Ellis Memorial #15361758 and Jacob Ellis Memorial #20372858.]

On May 30, 1842, Mr. Ellis was married in Chicago to Miss Sarah Brown. There were born to them three children—Phoebe A. (Mrs. J. D. Carroll), Sarah D. (Mrs. Edward Green), and Charles B., all of whom are now dead. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis lived near Rushville, Elmwood and on their own farm in Whitefield where they remained until 1858, when he was elected sheriff of Marshall County and moved his family to Lacon. In April 1851, Mr. Ellis volunteered in the first call for ninety days [Civil War] and was mustered into the U.S. Army on the ground where first years of childhood were passed. He was orderly sergeant of Company B., 11th Regt., Illinois volunteers infantry. In September 1862 he was appointed enrolling officer of Marshall County, enrolling the men from 18 to 45 years for the draft. In 1863 he received from Richard Yates, the war governor, a captain's commission for the Lacon Blues, a volunteer militia company. 

In 1862 Mr. Ellis was appointed assistant U. S. Assessor in Marshall County. The next year the appointment was extended to include the Fouth Division of the Fifth District of Illinois. Aug. 17, 1912 near Melvin at the home of his grandson, Fred C. Carroll, and the body was interred in the Lacon cemetery on Monday. Had he lived one more month, he would have completed his 92nd year. He leaves seven grandchildren.

Thomas Ellis was an honest, honorable, clean, upright man of whom it truly can be said he was of the salt of the earth. His ideals were high and his conception of right and justice was not only definite but was something to be consistently lived up to and put into daily practice. Lacon Journal.