The Eller Chronicles
Vol. VII NO 3.THE ELLER FAMILY ASSOCIATIONAUG 1993

Page - 208





COMMENTS OR CORRECTIONS
by
F. Edwin Denniston, P.O. Box 8097, Black Butte Ranch, OR 97759
Concerning
The History of the Eller Family
by
J.W. Eller, 1918

George2 Eller. It states that prior to the Revolutionary War, he emigrated from Germany and settled in Wythe County, VA. For purposes of research it would be more accurate to state that George "settled in that part of Montgomery County, VA which later became Wythe County and then Grayson County, Virginia." (Wythe County was not formed until 1790. It was formed from Montgomery County which was formed in 1777 from Fincastle County.) See Ancestry's Red Book, Revised Edition, 1992: pp. 783 -793; and, the comments appearing on p. 426 of J.W.Hook's 1957 book: George Michael Eller and Descendants of his in America.

The statement that he served "through the seven years of the war is unsupported and in actuality is probably based on the fact that he had military service in Rowan County prior to the Revolution in 1759. See Note 24, p. 54, The Eller Chronicles, Vol. III-3, Aug. 1989.

J.W. Eller provides nothing concerning the birth date of George2, but in Hook's book, p. 428, is speculated that the probable birthdate was "about 1752". If this were so, George2 and his brother John2, could not have emigrated from Germany as stated by J. W. Eller, but rather were quite likely born in Pennsylvania. See Eller Chronicles, Vol. III-3, p. 51, where it states that he (Christian) came (to Rowan County) "with his wife and sons, John and George". His first recorded presence in Rowan County was in 1759.

Inasmuch a J.W. Eller offers no documentation that Christian's sons accompanied him from Germany, I am inclined to accept the 1752 birthdate for George2, particularity in light of the fact that his first son, George3, was not born until 1782.





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Eller Chronicles Vol. VII (3) Aug, 1993




50 YEARS
GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY OF REV. and MRS. F. A. ELLER
Bloomington Telephone Newspaper
April 22, 1898

Rev. and Mrs. F. A. Eller celebrated their golden wedding anniversary Wednesday, at their home on West 6th Street, and the occasion was the nature of a home gathering of all the children, grandchildren and immediate relatives. On the 20th day of April, 1848, this most excellent couple were united in marriage and their union has been a happy and prosperous one. They have raised an excellent family and their lives have been spent in the labor of true Christians.

The dinner was a most excellent one and the day will be long and pleasantly remembered by those present. From 3 until 6 great numbers of Mr. and Mrs. Eller's friends called upon them, the house being thronged throughout the entire afternoon.

The celebration closed with a pleasant surprise, when about 7 o'clock 60 more of the neighbors and acquaintances gathered in unexpectedly and spent an hour or more. All the five children and their families were present, including 19 grandchildren. Only one of the family circle, Mr. Brown, a son-in-law, of Gosport, could not be here. The children are J. G. Eller and wife and their children, Frank, Flossie and Minnie; W.J. Eller and wife and their children, Charley, Harley, Oscar, Ida and Kate; G.W. McKnight and wife and their children, Etta, Noble, Everett and Maggie; Thomas Cradick and wife; Mrs. Mattie Brown and Herbert and Blanche; W.C. Denniston and wife with children, Frank and Ruby.

Among the presents received by Mr. and Mrs. Eller were: golden candlestick, B. F. Adams and wife; golden butter knife and napkin ring,. Mr. and Mrs. W.T. Johnson; one cup and saucer, Miss Lizzie Ward; two cups and saucers, Dr. Doddridge and wife; two cups and saucers, Mrs. Spicely; two books, Miss Nannie Woodward; satin pin-cushion, Mrs. Nannie Rogers; sofa pillow, Mrs. Philpot and Mrs. Fuller; book, Rev. Jordan and wife; teapot, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Simmons; a bunch of carnations, Mrs. J. T. Woodward.

All wished this honored couple many more years of happy married life.




(Eds. Rev. Francis A. Eller, great grandfather of Marjorie B. McCormick appears on p. 190 of this issue. He was the eleventh child of John Eller and Susan Smith, b. 6 Mar. 1830, Kentucky. He married Elizabeth Pauly in April 1848.)

50th Anniversary Picture on following page



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GOLDEN WEDDING GUESTS
20-Apr-1898
Front Row -_left to right
1Charlie Eller 2Ida and 3Kate Eller, 4Harley Eller, 5Grandfather and 6Grancbmother, 7Ettie Denniston, 8Mattie Brown with 9Baby Blanche, 10Ruby Denniston, 11Everett McKnight, 12Mollie McKnight, 13Etta McKnight, 14Maggie McKnight, 15George McKnight.

Back on Porch - left to right
1Flossie Eller, 2Laura Eller, 3Minnie Eller, 4Oscar Eller, 5Frank Eller, 6Jap Eller,7Gee Eller, 8Belle Eller, ? ?, 9Albert Denniston, ? ?, 10Frank Denniston holding 11Herbert Brown, ??, 12Wesley Denniston 13Gertie Cradick, ??, ??, 14Tom Uradick.

Not present: Noble McKnight, Henry Brown

Picture taken at home of Rev. F. A. & Elizabeth Pauley Eller 721 West 6th Street, Bloomington, Indiana (Monroe Co.)


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5908 Evanston Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46220
April 25, 1993

Dear Gerald,

We surely enjoyed our telephone "long chat" with you yesterday - it is always a joy to talk to an "ELLER".. especially to one who is so dedicated in the research of the family history. You and Juanita have done such an outstanding job with THE ELLER CHRONICLES since the very beginning - I'm sure everyone looks forward to each and every issue! I so deeply regret that I am not able to get back into the stream again and continue on as I did for so many years, loving every minute. I do have quite a bit of info. to share and very willing to do so, but will just have to work at it as I can. At times it becomes a bit mind boggling and I become too obsessed -- then have to close shop for a while. I'm still working on my little Monroe County, Ind. ELLER cemetery & will get this information to you by your next printing. I also have many responsibilities in the upkeep of our home in which we have lived the past 35 yrs. Since my husband's death in 1985 and with a few health problems I find things much more difficult than they used to be when I was younger! Ever hear this remark from anyone else??? I just wish my daughter Janet Rice had more time to help -- her interest is there, but not the time.

Mary Beth is sending a report of our day spent in Hamilton County trying to locate Jeff Eller's family line. She gave you most of the information on phone but we realize it is best to have it in writing. We found Miss Letha Eller a delightful lady to talk with and one very interested in her family history - memory great tool We too all realize there are errors at times in some research! Mary Beth & I hope to make contact again with Van Eller, as he asked us to let him know if we found Jeff Eller's line. He did not know him. Again, we will have lunch at THE ELLFR HOUSE RESTAURANT & take some pictures -- We think they should know & perhaps see a copy of the Eller Cookbook, even though I asked recently if anyone connected with the Restaurant was an Eller descendant - the reply was "No". Just the fact that the house was originally built by Fernando Cortez Eller, who is listed on page 46 of the J. W. Hook book. Van Eller lives just a short distance from the Restaurant, on same road.

Also enclosed are the two different newspaper articles about Jeff, which we got from newspaper office. Jeff's mother, Eleanor, gave us the extra article, among others. She was very nice and patient with us., even though she had just arrived home from her work & needless to say our time was very limited. She did show us a large scrapbook &, family pictures - we also met Jeff's brother Crae, who lives nearby -- together they farm 700 to 800 acres and raise many Belgian horses --- So you see they have little time for family history!! Eleanor also proudly told us about their daughter, A veterinarian who has her own Clinic in Illinois. (Lisa is the daughter).

Now - you nnow a tad bit more about Jeff Eller from Hamilton Co., Indiana! Good Luck! Believe me - our thoughts will be with your all in Portland in July., even though we can't be with you. Keep in touch.

Sincerely,
Marjorie
signature

Marjorie Barker McCormick -- dau. of Minni Verne Eller, listed on page 431 of Hook Bk. dau. of John G. &- grand dau. of Francis A. ELLER.





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More on Jeff Eller

From our visits with Jeff's mother) Eleanor Eller, and Miss Letha Eller, we have learned more about Jeff's family lineage. Eleanor stressed that, she and husband Lee Eller, are just as proud of their other son Crae and their daughter Lisa., as they are of Jeff. Crae and his family live in the home next to his parents' farm; he works in the family farming and Belgian horse operations. Lisa and her husband live in Illinois, where she is a veterinarian and has a clinic there. Yes., she doctors Belgian horses! Eleanor said husband Lee's father, Clifford Eller3 is deceased, and his mother., Denzel Eller, still lives on their farm which is close by.

Miss Letha Eller (age 90), whom Eleanor referred us to, advised us that her father, Jesse Eller, was a brother to Edward Eller. She said Edward was the father of Clifford, mentioned above as Lee's father. Miss Letha said these two brothers, Jesse and Edward., broke away from the Brethern Church and joined the Christian Church. She remembers hearing that their brothers William and Charles spoke Dutch until they went to school. Miss Letha told us her paternal grandfather was John Eller and her gr. grandfather was Andrew Eller. She said Andrew is buried in the Brethern cemetery located down the road from her.

We had along our 1957 copy of J.W. Hook's George Michael Eller and Descendants of His in America and "The Eller Chronicles" Vol. VI., No. 3, August, 1992." We found Miss Letha's gr. grandfather Andrew and grandfather John listed in Hook's book on p. 55 and her father Jesse Peter Eller on P. 56. Jeff Eller's gr. grandfather Edward is listed as one of Jesse Peter Eller's brothers on p. 56 also. Miss Letha was pleasantly surprised for me to read about her grandpa John Eller, from our described "Chronicles" on pps. 163-165!

Miss Letha advised us of the following information which differs from the two publications described above:

1957 ed. George Michael Eller and Descendants of his in America by J. W. Hook P. 56
  • (3) Charles Franklin Eller: the children are Eva, Ruth, Eda, Roy, Paul and Pauline
  • (4) Jesse Peter Eller: m. Eleanore Alice Hankley and had children as follows, Orlie b. 1899, Kenneth b. 1901, Letha b 1903, Wayne (John) b. 1905, Catherine b. 1907, Fay Olive b. 1909, Donald b. 1914 and Dorotha b 1916
  • (7) Edward Emerson Eller: his other child is Clifford
"The Eller Chronicles" Vol. VI,, No. 3., August, 1992
  • p. 165 'First paragraph: Charles married Susan Sumner., and has the following children,, Eva, Ruth, Eda, Roy, Paul and Pauline. Jesse married Eleanore Alice Hankley and has eight children, Orlie., Kenneth., Letha., Wayne (John), Catherine., Fay Olive, Donald and Dorotha.


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