Stilllman & Henrietta (Spade) Ellis

Sherwood, Clark Co., Wisconsin

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Stillman Ellis was one of the first settlers of Clark County in Township 23 N, Range 1 E which was initially known as Sherwood Forest and later just "Sherwood".  He homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres on April 20, 1882 at the Federal Land Office in La Crosse, Wisconsin in section 14 of the township.  At the time, Chester A. Arthur was president of the United States and the recorder at the general land office was S. W. Clark.  That same year, Thomas Edison turned on the lights in the New York City offices of financier, J. P. Morgan, inaugurating commercially supplied electricity.  But, rural Clark County, Wisconsin would not see that progress until after 1930.  The new home of Stillman and Henrietta would have to be built by their own hands, lit by candles and/or oil lamps and their land would have to be developed with lots of hard work before it would be productive.  These early pioneers were brave people with calloused hands and strong spirits.

Stillman and Henrietta were both natives of the Empire State and were skilled farmers.  He was born in during March 7, 1828 to Bradner and Elizabeth "Betsy"  (Hodge) Ellis who also began life in New York.  Henrietta Spade and her parents were also born there and having been born Nov. 7, 1830, she was fifty years of age when the 1880 Federal Census was taken.  At that time, their two-year-old granddaughter, Susie Hammond, was under their care and must have been quite a joy for them.  Susie's mother, Susannah had died November 26, 1877, when she was just twenty years old, shortly after giving her birth.  She was the youngest daughter and fourth child of Stillman and Henrietta.  That year, Christmas was over-shadowed with sadness for this pioneer family.  Susie's father was Eugene Hammond and her parents had married in March of 1877.

Stillman and Henrietta's first daughter, Bloomy Ann was born August 22, 1850 while the family was living in Winnebago Co., Wisconsin.  August 22, 1869, Bloomy married Thomas Sparks, a neighboring farmer.  They had six children: Elnora (b. 9 Jun 1870, m. Gilbert Ellis July 5, 1888 in Waushara Co., WI), William Dexter, Emily, Jesse T., George and Arthur.

Their second daughter was born January 17, 1852 and was named her for her mother, Henrietta.  She married Joseph Alonzo Hanes in the heat of July, 1868.  This couple presented Stillman and Henrietta with seven grandchildren: Flora (b. 21 Feb 1884), Edward, David Freeman, Sarah, Henrietta, Henry and Stilman (Stillman?).

Their only son, Charles, was born October 3, 1854 and is buried in the Sherwood Township Cemetery.

Their closest neighbors were Andrew and Acenith Lawson who also farmed the land along with John and James Sparks who lived with them.  The Pickerings also lived nearby and it is almost certain their son, David and daughter Sylvia became close friends with Susie.   

Henrietta died June 11, 1899 and is buried in the Sherwood Cemetery in Clark County, Wisconsin.

Stillman died March 1, 1919 in Bancroft, Portage Co., Wisconsin at the age of ninety-one.

Census

1860-Pine Grove, Portage Co., Wisconsin

1900-Sherwood, Clark Co., Wisconsin--Stillman Ellis, widowed, living with Thomas & Bloomy Ann (Ellis) Sparks

1910-Sherwood, Clark Co., Wisconsin--owned 38.5 Acres in Section 15 and still residing in his daughter, Bloomy's home.

Land Records

Plat Maps

1880 Sherwood Township

1906 Sherwood Township

1915 Sherwood Township & Property Owners.

Henrietta's Tombstone

Sherwood Township, Clark Co., WI

Contributors

Anonymous Family Member & The Clark Co., WI History Buffs

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