Dresden Cemetery, Dresden, Navarro Co., TX

Biography of William Madison Ellis, M.D.
from Texas Under Many Flags" (Chicago, IL; American Historical Society, 1930, Clarence R. Wharton author and editor), Vol 5, page 200)

"William M. Ellis, M. D. Known all over Navarro County as an able and experienced physician and surgeon, Dr. William M. Ellis is held in the highest of esteem by his fellow citizens. For years he has responded to the calls made upon his skill and kindly sympathy, going forth in all kins of weather and serving by night as well as by day. He has brought into the world children and continued to minister to them until they in turn brought forth a new generation. Whenever sickness or death has come into the home of his patients, he has proved himself the helpful, sympathetic friend as well as the "good physician," and he is entitled to the success which has attended him, for he has fairly earned it.

Doctor Ellis was born at Durant, Mississippi, February 28, 1865, but was early taken by his parents to Arkansas, where he attended public schools. For two years after reaching young manhood he was engaged in farming in Arkansas, and then he began the study of medicine, for he had determined to become a professional man, in Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, and was graduated from there in 1890 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Returning to Oil Trough Bottom, Arkansas, he was engaged in the practice of his profession for five years. In 1895 he came to Texas, and after eight years of practice at Purden, he located permanently at Blooming Grove, where has built up a large and profitable practice. In 1897, 1901, 1903 and 1905 he attended clinics in New Orleans, and 1909 he did post-graduate work in Chicago, and is thoroughly abreast of the progress made in his calling. As a member of the Navarro County Medical Society [new member in June 1912], the Texas State Medical Society and the American Medical Association he is conversant with work in connection with these bodies, in whose efficacy he has great faith. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Woodmen of the World. In addition to his large practice he is interested in farming and stock raising, and he owns a drug store in Blooming Grove. While he is not very active politically, he is a loyal Democrat. The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, is his religious home.

On January 18, 1891, Doctor Ellis married at Elmo, Arkansas, Miss Delia Hinkle, and one son and two daughters were born to them, namely: Kay Ellis, who is an oil operator of Nocona, Texas; Mrs. Beulah Patterson, who resides at Frost, Texas; and Mrs. Mary Grady, who resides at Blooming Grove. The first Mrs. Ellis died in 1914, and December 29, 1925, Doctor Ellis married Ruby McSpadden, of Blooming Grove. There are no children of the second marriage."

Oakwood Cemetery:

James Henry Hook - Born 3 Jan 1872 in Alabama. Died 15 Jun 1944. Son of James A. Hook and Bettie Moffitt. Married 1st Chloe Potter (d. 1899 Galveston). Married 2nd Sarah McHale, who was born 19 Feb 1881 in England. Sarah McHale Hook died 6 Nov 1964 and is also buried in Oakwood Cemetery. - Obituary

Their only daughter, Helen Hook Elliott and her husband King Fount Elliott are buried in Oakwood. Helen was born 12 Jun 1905 and died 15 Jul 2004. King Fount Elliott (son of Fountain Alexander Elliott and Martha Josephine "Mattie" Murrell) was born 13 Apr 1897 and died 4 Jul 1972.

James Henry Hook's son by his first wife (Chloe Potter), is buried in Oakwood too. His name is Don Leon Hook and he was born 26 April 1893 in Galveston, TX and died 14 April 1960. He served in WWI. His wife, Josephine Stanford Hook, is also buried in Oakwood - she was born 27 Mar 1902 and died 4 Feb 1976.  Biography

Dresden Cemetery:

William Madison Ellis, M.D. Born 28 Feb 1865 in Durant, Mississippi. Died 8 May 1932.  [Obituary]. Son of James Madison Ellis and Nancy Blackwood Stroud. Married Delia Hinkle on 18 Jan 1891 in Elmo, Independence Co., Arkansas. She was born 28 Feb 1871 in Arkansas and died 29 Nov. 1914. Delia Hinkle Ellis is also buried in Dresden Cemetery. 

Hazel Ellis Born 23 Nov 1897 Died 8 Apr 1898, daughter of William Madison Ellis and Delia Hinkle. Marker Photo

Infant Girl Ellis: Born 25 Aug 1917, died 13 Oct 1917. Buried Dresden Cemetery. Daughter of Kay Vance Ellis and Ila Belle Swanson Ellis. (Kay Vance Ellis was the son of Dr. William Madison Ellis and Delia Hinkle). Marker Photo


Notes:

• Submitted by Jaime Teas Lodge, Houston, TX, Great-granddaughter of James Henry Hook and Chloe Potter

Dr. Ellis Comments On Scenes in Old Home
 
To The Times:
 
My recent visit to the old home in Arkansas made me feel proud that as a
boy my lot was humbly cast within the sound of babbling brooks and under
the shade of the oaks.  I was delighted to steal away even for a few
days from the stress and duties of my work and once more go out and
bathe my  spirits in the freedom of the old woods and for a time grow
young again.  I like to steep my soul in a sea of quiet, lying on the
mossy banks of a dear old stream that babbled me to sleep in boyhood
days with nothing passing over me but the perfume of the flowers,
soaring birds and the shadow of the clouds, lying there moored to my
thoughts even as holy memories go stealing over the vaulted life,
thinking of the changes time hath wrought.  Many of the faces that shown
so brightly then have ceased to glow, may of the hands that clasped so
warmly then have grown cold, many of the voices that sang so sweetly
then are forever stilled, and many of the eyes that sparkled so brightly
then have lost their luster in the grave.  And the dear old river
unchanging, unfaltering never growing old, smiling in your silver rustle
and calming yourself in the broad, placid pools.  I love you as I love a
friend.
 
And as down in the sunless retreat of the ocean fair,
Flowers are blowing no mortal can see,
So deep in my heart thare is a song of devotion,
For Arkansas, the state that is dearest to me.
 
W. M. Ellis.
 
 
We are mighty glad to get the above from the pen of Dr. Ellis.  We, too,
were on boyhood soil some weeks ago, and we know the feeling of swiftly
passing currents through one's soul as he draws from memory's box and
tries to adjust them into new scenes and changed conditions.  We can
appreciate this M. d.'s impressions as he stood on the banks of the old
Arkansas stream on this occasion and compared it with the days when his
thoughts were tender, his heels tough and his stomach crowded with
watermelon from a neighbor's patch.  There is a degree of sadness in a
visit to the old home when one finds so many old landmarks blotted out
by the hand of time, so many voices as silent as the tomb, but on the
other hand there is a comforting sweetness whose exquisite flavors come
by no other paths save the paths around the old hills and through the
valleys and under the giant oak trees about the old home place.
 
Notes:

• The Blooming Grove Times - Friday, Sep 19, 1930
• Submitted by Karen Rost