Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-05

creditable manner. The position he
held the longest and in which he dis
tinguished himself the most. was that
| OF chairman Of the State Democratic
COMMITTEES. He was elected in 1890
and served until the Roanoke Con-
ventfon of 1916 when he declined re-
election. and was succeeded by Rorer
a. James. The people of Richmond re-
member his long connection with the
educational interests Of this city. hav-
ing been for sixteen years the chair
man of the City School Board. and the
great Baptist denomination recalls
with pride his loyalty and devotion to
Richmond College. Mr.. EllySon Is now
the president OF the Board of Trustees
or that institution of learning.
Succeeded Fnther ms Mayor.
Another interesting fact that has no
doubt escaped the attention of the
public is. that the father of j. TAYLOR
:llySon, the late II. *. Ellyson was
once the mayor of Richmond There
are rev cities that can lay claim to the
distinction of having the son succeed
the father as the chief executive and
be it said to their credit both gave
the capital city a business administers
ton.
When n member Of the State Senate
back in the eighties Mr.. Ellyson care
fully guarded the interests of his con-
stituentS. and during the three terms
he has served as Lieutenant-Gover
he has made Il host of friends. The
mem bers of that body regard him as
an ideal presiding officer and in mat
ters of parliamentary law his rulings
have never been questioned.
IL is only fair TO say that no other
citizen of Richmond is better known
than j. Taylor Ellyson. The varied po-
sitionS he has held have brought him
III touch with thousands of public men
~ Nirert ntg .,y,I 49, 10
and as member OF the Democratic Ma
tional Committee he came in contact
with some Of the great leaders who
often sought his advice when questions
Of great moment had to be decided.
In religious circles Mr.. Ellyson has
always been a leader and active work.
er. No call on him for service or
money has been in vain, and especial
ly is this true in connection with his
duties as an official of the board that
looks after the education of young men
for the ministry. Just the other day
letter was received by Richm ond
man from 4 preacher in Piedmont Vir-
ginia. in which the writer said that
he would never forget Mr.. Ellyson
that as poor boy and unknown in a
big CITY, Mr. Ellyson told him to re-
member that he had one friend who
stood ready to aid him in every pos
sible way. Mr.. Ellyson paid n tribute
In securing an education by saying
that he does not recall single one
who betrayed his confidence in the
slightest.
Too Modest to Parade Achievements.
These incidents in the life Of j. Tay-
Tor Ellyson are not generally known,
because he has been too modest to lay
claim to his achievements in behalf of
his city and State. Throughout his
and not until within the recent past
has he asked the people for their sup
port FOR the office that it has long
been his ambition to occupy. In the
interest of harmony and party sue
cess he has always supported other
gentlemen for the higher positions in
the gift of the Virginia people
There are two papers in his library
that he prizes very highly among hun
dreds he has filed away touching some
OF his LIES work. one being the reso-
lutions adopted by the Roanoke Dem
ocratic Convention last year on his re-
tirement from the craftsmanship of the
state committee, and the other a letter
from an old friend in Petersburg who
testified TO his devotion. his labors and
ms efficiency as a leader of Democracy
BACK in the days when a Democrat had
TO fight for his rights.
Recailing the history of J. Taylor
80 SUI 40 soiuier, cltlZen public Serv-
ant, Christian gentleman and success
lul party leader. a friend has asked.
Is IL fair to turn aside from: the man
VINO was unafraid when called to the
cahhon's mouth, and accept the state
ment that he will not be brave and
.rue II honored with the highest Of
hce in the gift of the Virrini, NO
plc?"
p; CITIZEN.
Richmond. Va. August 4, 1917.