HON. JAMES TAYLOR ELLYSON.
James Taylor, son of Henry K. Ellyson, was born in the city of Richmond,
on May 20, 1847. His mother was Elizabeth P., daughter of
Luther Barnes, born in Philadelphia, March 5, 1814, died July 27,
1886. The Ellysons have been residents of Virginia for several generations.
Henry K. Ellyson, born in Richmond, July 31, 1823, was a
son of Onan Ellyson, who was a son of William Ellyson. At Howardsville,
Albemarle county, Virginia, December 2, 1869, Jas Taylor Ellyson
married Lora E. Hotchkiss, who was born at Hales Eddy, Broome
county, New York. They have one daughter, Nannie Moore, born
January 6, 1871. Mrs. Ellyson is the daughter of Nelson H. Hotchkiss,
who was born in Broome county, New York, December 3, 1819, and
Harriet (Russell) Hotchkiss. Her mother died in July, 1883.
Mr. Ellyson attended school at Mrs. Mallory's in 1855-'56-'57, at L.
S. Squires' in 58-'59-'60; at David Turner's in '61-'62, and was for a few
months a student at Hampden-Sidney College, which he left to enter the
Confederate States army, serving as a private in the Second Company
of Richmond Howitzers, until he surrendered with the company at Appomattox.
After the war he attended the Richmond College, then entered
the University of Virginia, where he graduated in a number of schools,
sessions of 1867-'68 and 1868-'69. After leaving the University he was
for a few months with the Richmond Dispatch, and in the fall of 1869
entered the book and stationery business with Henry Taylor of Baltimore,
Maryland, under the firm name of Ellyson & Taylor. He continued
in this business until 1879, when he became connected with the
Religious Herald, of which he is now secretary and treasurer.
In 1878 he was elected a member of the Common Council of Richmond
from Monroe Ward, and was successively re-elected in 1880, 1882, and
1884. During his term of office he was chairman of the Finance Committee,
president of the Board of Public Interests, and twice elected
president of the Council, in July, 1882, and in July, 1884. In 1885 he
was elected to represent the city of Richmond and County of Henrico in
the State Senate. On May 24, 1888, he was elected Mayor of Richmond
for the two years beginning July 1, 1888. Since April, 1884, he has
been a member and president of the City School Board.
Since February, 1871, Mr. Ellyson and his wife have been members of
the Second Baptist church, of Richmond. In 1878 he was elected deacon.
In 1874 he was elected corresponding secretary of the Education Board
of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, in 1875-'76 was president
of the Young Men's Christian Association of this city.
