Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-12

PASSED AWAY At HIS SISTERS
RESIDENCE YESTERDAY.
ALUMNUS OF TIE UNIVERSITY OF VA.
lie Formed the Alumni Association
of That Institution-A Gallant Sol
der, and n philosophical Citizen
His Career.
His Career.

His career.
The death OF Colonel Thomas Harding
Ellis, which occurred yesterday afternoon
at the residence of his sister, Mrs Il. 7.
Munford, No. 3O7 west Franklin street,
though an event nationally to be expect
ed, for he was broken in health and far
advanced in years, came upon the COM
munity in the nature of sad surprise.
He was gracious and benefcent pres
ence in the life Of every one who knew
him. He was highly respected in this
community, where he lived until few
years ago, when he removed to Washing
ington. and he will be greatly missed. He
lived far beyond the allotted span of a
mans life, and died at a ripe old age, no
less beloved than he was respected.
Colonel Ellis was born September G,
1914. He was a son of Charles Ellis, one
of the best-known and most-prominent
merchants of Richmond, of the firm Of
Ellis & Allan, afterwards of Charles Ell
lis, and later still Of Charles Ellls's Sons.
schools in the State of Virginia, and at
the University of Virginia. When 20 years
Of age, on leaving college, he accompanied
his uncle, Judge Powhatan Ellis. Of Mis-
sissippi. when ne was appointed Minister
TO Mexico. as his private secretary. In
1891, when Judge Ellis became Minister
Plenipotentiary and Ambassador EXtraor-
binary, Colonel Ellis was appointed by
90 ha
Legation. He filled this position during
the troublous time of the Revolution,
when Bustamente was overthrown by
Santa Anna, and the United States iega-
ton became the refuge Of the oppressed
of different nationalites and Of Busta-
mente himself
Returning home in 1874, the old concern
of Charles Ellis & Sons was closed up,
and the new one of Thomas and Charles
Ellis was formed and they continued in
business until 1852. when the firm was
wound up and they retired. In 1853 he
succeeded Judge John G.. Mason as prest-
dent of the old James River and Ka-
nawha Canal. and remained in that po-
sition until 1853. Colonel Ellis then form
ed n partnership with Commodore Mat
thew +. Maury In the real estate bust
ness. but i'm 1870 he moved to Chicago,
and formed a copartnership with George
II. Rozet, in the same business. The
great fire of Chicago having broken up
this enterprise, he went into the banking
business serving for a number of years
first as cashier and then as president of
the Bank of Chicago. For the last thir-
teen years Of his life he served in the Ar-
dtor's office of the Treasury Department
i'm Washington, and for good many
years past was the chief and confidential
clerk Of the head of the Auditing Depart
rnent He was always a man of great
public spirit, and took an interest in all
matters of importance in this city and
State. Being a man OF great military
spirit. he was for many years captain of
the Richmond Fayette Artillery, and
served afterwards as major lieutenant
colonel, and colonel Of artillery. He was
also the principal mover in building up
the beautiful Hollywood Cemetery and
served as president Of the association from
its inception until he left the city. "
not the originator he was one OF the frst
of the men who formed the Alumni Asso-
citation of the University of Virginia. He
was always proud Of his Alma Mater,
and attended all the meetings Of the
alumni when it was possible for him TO
getting up the subscription and the pur-
chase Of the School of Athens for the
University. He was also among the first
to assist in forming the Virginia Historl-
cal Society. becoming a life member, and
taking a great interest in it's success up
TO the day of his death In his youth he
was confirmed by Bishop Moore, in the
old Monumental church, and for many
years he was the superintendent of the
Monumental, and afterwards Of st. Pauls
Sunday school. He was the last surviving
yestryman of the Monumental when the
congregation built and moved up 10 st.
PauPs. In the latter church he served
as yestryman from 1916 10 1870. when he
removed from the city. He was a con-
sistent and active member of the Episco
nal Church to the day Of his death. He
contributed largely to the history Of the
Monumental church, compiled by Mr.. Ed
ward Fisher, and at the request of Or.
Minnigerode. he wrote up the records of
st. Pauls church.
In 1913 Colonel Ellis married the. widow
of Mr.. Archibald Harrison, who was Eu,
phania C. Taylor, the greatniece OF
President William H. II. Harrison. Mrs.
Ellis died on the 10th day Of last July.
His brothers. Mr. Charles Ellis and Ma
jor Powhatan Ellis. and his sisters, Mrs.
T.. T. Munford and Mrs. Jane S. Tucker.
survive him. Colonel Ellis had no chill
dren. but his adopted son. Mr.. Beverly
Randolph Harrison, Of Amherst county,
has been with him constantly during his
illness, and was at his bedside at his
death. His adopted daughter, Miss Lucy
Mimmo, was also with him.
The funeral will take place at II O'clock
on Wednesday from St PauPs church,
and the interment will be made In Holly
wood Cemetery.
The honorary pall-bearers will be: Colo
nei Archer Anderson. Colonel Morton
Marye. colonel Edwin Hobson, Mr.. b. 3.
Minor. Major Ben. Richardson, Major d.
n. Walker. Mr.. Robert Snead, Mr.. Joseph
Bryan.
The active pall-bearers will be: Mr.. Ro-
bert Munford, Mr.. William NJ. HILL Allan
Talbot, Jr., c. X. Talbot, Jr, Beverly
Tucker, W. Crump Tucker, William Linn
mer, Mr.. Bev. Crump.