San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1316
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/28/2009
GEORGE E. ELLIS
The story of the progress and success of George E. Ellis as a worthy citizen of Stockton, covers a period of nearly half a century, thirty-seven years of which has been spent with the Western States Gas & Electric Company and its predecessors. He was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, on December 25, 1867, a son of John and Annie (Thompson) Ellis, both natives of Ireland, of English and Welsh parentage. His father immigrated to America and continued his journey via the Isthmus of Panama to California and arrived in Stockton during the year of 1869, expecting to work at his trade of plumber and brass finisher; however, he could not find employment, so entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company for a time; later he removed to Merced and became road foreman for the same company; returning to Stockton he entered the employ of the Stockton Gas & Electric Company, and continued in their service for forty-six years, the latter years of his life being foreman of construction. He died in July, 1906, his widow surviving him.
There are nine children in the Ellis family, seven of whom are now living, of whom George E. is the eldest. He came to America with his mother and two sisters to join his father in the fall of 1875, via the Isthmus of Panama, and entering the Stockton schools, remained there until he was seventeen years of age, when he began to work for the old Stockton Gas & Electric Company, his first work being to look after the gas street lights and later the electric lights which replaced them. He gained a thorough knowledge of the business and worked up through the different departments until he is now service foreman for the company, his years of experience and intelligent application to business having made him a valuable employee in his line of work.
Mr. Ellis has been twice married and of the first union there are two children, Leora and Leonora; his second marriage united him with Miss Leora Swenson, a native of Dutch Flat, Cal., a daughter of Samuel Swenson, a pioneer merchant of that town, who also ran a pack train to the mines, later removing to San Francisco, where he was engaged in business, and later still he moved to Auburn; his wife was Priscilla Fulton, a native of New York; both have now passed away. Mrs. Ellis was educated in the schools of San Francisco and Auburn, Cal. They have two children: George E., Jr., is a graduate of Stockton high school and now manager of the Johnson Sporting Goods store, and Lucille L. attending Stockton high school. Fraternally Mr. Ellis is a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A.M., Stockton, and Pohono Tribe of Redmen, while Mrs. Ellis is a member of the Eastern Star and the Order of Pocahontas, in which she is a past officer. Mr. Ellis is an enthusiastic member of the Stockton Gun Club, in which he has won several medals; in 1913 he won the Pacific Coast Handicap, receiving a gold medal set with a diamond valued at $250, besides $200; he also won numerous other medals as prizes. His son is also a member of the Gun Club and has won many medals.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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