Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-12-18


The subject of this sketch has been so
munificent in his gifts to his native town
OF Ellsworth for the benefit o: its public
library, that many of the younger genera
tion have expressed desire for informa-
ton about him and his family; 1t is such
expression that occasions this brief notice.
Zschsriah Jellison, row resident OF
Brooklyn, N. Y, is descended in direct
line from Ichabod Jeiiison, who early
came from Copenhagen, Denmark, and
first settled in what is now Biddeford,
Maine. His son, Benjamin, was in Pep
perell's expedition, and took part in the
capture of Louisburg, Cape Breton, in HAS
With others of the family he came to
Ellsworth, or the "Uniop river settle
meut", as it was then called, in ITO, aud
settled on lands near the Falls village.
His daughter Elizabeth married Col.
Melatiah Jordan, the first collector OF the
customs district OF Frenchman's bay.
Their daughter Sarah married Andrew
Peters, and became the mother OF the late
Chief Justice Peters.
A son of Benjamin was John Jellison, a
major in the Massachusetts, militia. He
built and lived till his death in 1850 in the
large square house near the Falls village
known as the "Major Jellison place" until
its destruction by fire some years ago. he
had family of eight sons and FIVE daugh
tiers.
The fifth son, William, was born in 1872.
He built and for time resided in the
house at the corner of State and Church
streets opposite the Congregational
church. In 1885 he sold that house to
William Ii. Black and bought and moved
his family to what was then known as
the doctor Adams farm, on the Bangor
road, just over the Dedham line. Mr..
Jellison, however, seemed unwilling to
live anywhere else than in his native
town, and he induced the Legislature to
extend Ellsworth to include his farm,
which thereafter was known for a long
time as the "Jellison farm, and the hill
upon which the farm was situated was
known as the "Jellison hill". He died
there in 1855.
Zschsriah Jellison, the subject OF this
sketch, was the son OF William, and is the
only survivor OF eight sons. He was born
Aug. 3, 1884, in the house built by his
father at the village OF Ellsworth as above
| stated, but in his infancy was taken, with
the rest of the family, to his fathers new
home, the "Jellison farm" on tie "Jel-
lison hill" at North Ellsworth. lie at
tended the public schools in Ellsworth
and the E. NJ. c. seminary at Bucksport
| for time, and then, at the age of nine
teen, went to Portland, Me-, as clerk for
Luther Dana & Co. He remained with
that firm till January, 1860, when he was
called to Boston to partnership with his
| Uncle Zacharish (for " hom he WAS named
in the sugsr-importing business. His
uncle was appointed by President Lincoln
to the appraisership OF the port of Boston,
but the nephew continued the business
for some years thereafter.
In 1874, however, the then Cuban rebel
lion made the sugar business so hazardous
that he removed to Schuyler, n. Y. He
carried on there a hardware and ma
chinery business till 1881, when, on account
OF his wife's health, he removed to Brook
Ign, y. V, where he has since resided.
Since that date he has been connected
with the Z. S, appraisers office in Brook
Ign.
In 1865 he married Miss George Brasier,
of Portland, with whom he had become
acquainted while living in that city. She
died in Brooklyn in July, 1901.
Mr. Jellison's mother was Julia A.
Tisdale, born in Taunton, Mass. Her
acquaintance with William Jellison,
Zschariah's father, began in ls1s, when
she came to Ellsworth to visit her cousin,
Mrs. John G. Deane.
Mr.. Jellison has always retained a strong
affection for his native town, though he
left it SO early in life. He makes yearly
pilgrimages to Ellsworth, where he is
always warmly greeted by those who know
him and is welcomed by all. In 1902 he
gave signal proof OF his affection by laying
a foundation for fund for the benefit OF
the Ellsworth city library. Part OF his
letter rendering this gift is here reprinted
as showing his motive and purpose:
BRookLYs, N. Y, May s, 1902.
To the Honorable the Mayor and Board Of Al
dernaen Of the oity Of EIisseorth;
GENTLEMEN: Having a desire to bestow
favor which shall be of continuous advantage
to the people Of my native city. and at the
same time perpeiuate the honored names of
my beloved parents, William Jeliison. born In
Ellsworth. Sept. S, 1872, aud deceased in the
same city July q, 1885, and of my mother,
Julia (risdalel Jeilison, born in Taunton.
Mass. Oct. 9, 1900, and deceased in Brooklyn.
n. Y. March %. 1873 - /, with hearty good
wishes for my native townsmen aud in loving
memory Of my deceased parents, wish to
make the cherished purpose real in its char
acter by laying the foundation for n memorial
fund to be called THE Jellison Memorial
Fund" for the benefit of the public library of
Ellsworth, Maine
The foundation laid at this time WAS
s., 900 paid-up ite-iDsursnce policy upon
his life He aftArwa rda in 1Qf7 addad m