ELLISON.

The town of Ellison was laid out on the north side of the southwest quarter of Section 17, May 10, 1836, the land being owned by Joseph DeHague. County Surveyor Butler made the survey, and eighteen blocks constituted the town. Plum , Cherry and Apple streets run north and south, and the streets running east and west are First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth. Mr. Meacham built the first house in the town. Joseph DeHague was licensed to keep a grocery there May 10, 1836 .

A postoffice was established at Ellison at an early date, but the records were lost in the storm of 1858. The office was discontinued August 31, 1900 , and the neighborhood is now supplied by a rural route from Smithshire. Little is now left of the village.

On May 30, 1858 , just before sunset, occurred one of the most terrific storms ever known to this part of the country. It was of the nature of a tornado, and came from Iowa , though it did little damage until it passed the bluffs along the river.

Almost without warning, with lightning like speed, the storm came upon the little village of Ellison , and in a few moments death and destruction reigned. The path of the storm was forty rods wide and six miles long.in its destructive course.

As the result of its fearful work fifteen persons were found dead or fatally injured, many disabled for life, and the whole town demolished. Those who were instantly killed or who died from injuries received were: The Misses Mary and Harriet Williams, Mrs. W. E. Thompson and child, Mrs. Jacob Brazelton and child, Martin Wentworth, Miss Lovina Lacy, Mrs. Boyd, Mrs. McCartney and child, Mr. Johnson and child, Mr. Kurd, and Mr, Thompson. Only two men in the whole village were unhurt, W. L. Edwards and J. M. Kelly.

The town was rebuilt in a measure, but never regained its lost enterprise

 

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