Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-03-19
james TAYLOR Ellyson

JAMES TAYLOR ELLYSON has been re-
>. moved from the ranks OF Nirginias living
sons. and his name Is now inscribed that
proud roll OF those who. after lahoring de-
votedly and tirelcssly in its behalf. have
passed on. Other sons or Virginia have been
known more widely beyond its boundaries.
other Virginia names may stand out in
greater relief of historys pages, but none
has been better known within the State, none
has labored more ardently for its welfare.
none has been more highly respected and
none moro universally and rcgretfuly missed
than he who yesterday concluded his tolls
here and crossed over to tho other side
In some respects Mr.. Elyson's career was
unique in Virginia annals. Of ancient and
honorable family. he was Virginian by birth
and to the manner born. He WAS educated
in its schools, fought under it's coors, and
his whole business and political life was in
separately bound up with that Of tho State
he loved 50 we'll and which in turn repaid
him with its honors. y mere youth. he left
the cloistered schoolroom to answer the call
of the Confederacy and he followed its for
tunes TO AppomattoX. When the cause for
Which he fought was lost, he looked not back
ward, but took up the work of reconstruc-
ton and was one of those forward-secing
men TO whom Virginia must render homage
for its present prosperity.
IL is as a public servant that his name will
live long and his life serve as an example
for Others That work for the people en-
braccd manifold activities and led him into
many fields. In tho city he served as Il MON.
Der and president of the Council. as its Mayor
for six years and its representative in tho
State Senate Always active in State politics,
he became chairman of the State Democratic
Committee in 1890, and he held that Office
continuously for more than a quarter OF Il
century In 1905 he was elected Lieutenant
Governor. and that position of honor lie oc-
cupicd until 1918. Twice he was 4 cand-
date for the nomination of Governor, once
withdrawing in favor Of IIogc Tyler, and once
being defeated in primary. He also served
for many years as Nirginias member or tho
Democratic National Committee where he did
recognized service for the party. or wonder
full ability as an organizer, it was while he
served as head OF the party in Virginia that
it passed through some OF its most trying
times, and his skillful handling of its affairs
is read in its present strength.
Not alone in politics was he a power but
i'll tho fields of education and religion his
dominating influence felt. For many
years he at the head OF the local Board
Of Education, and he did effective work as
chairman of the board of trustees of Rich
mond College. In religion q Baptist he &C
complished much good for that denomina-
ton, serving long as vice-presdent CT the
Southern Convention. as president OF the
General Association and for thirty-four years
as executive head OF the education board of
the latter organization.
Thus into the span OF his life he crowded
activities the scope of which falls to the lot
Of few men, but never were his duties so
arduous or e1actng that he had not time TO
devote himself to acts of charity and answer
the calls made on him SO numerously by his
feilow-men. Now he is gone; and in his going
Richmond Virginia and the South lose a
friend they could Ill afford to snare