Transcript

of

Obituary notices: Henry Samuel Ellis

Trans. Devon. Assoc. 1878, Vol X, p. 52-54.

by

W. Harpley

Prepared by Michael Steer

An extensive obituary providing much detailed information on the life of Mr H.S. Ellis is provided by Grace’s Guide to British Industrial History, perhaps the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain - at:  https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Henry_Samuel_Ellis.
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Henry Samuel Ellis, of Fair Park, Exeter, was one of the founders of the Association, and filled the office of local secretary at its first meeting. In the following year, on the resignation of Mr. Spence Bate, he was elected one of the general secretaries, and for five years devoted himself to the duties of his office with all the zeal and energy for which he was so much distinguished, until increasing demands upon his time by other affairs, both private and public, compelled him to relinquish his post. His interest in the Association however did not cease with his retirement from office, but he afterwards frequently attended the meetings, and exerted himself to promote its welfare and prosperity. He contributed several papers, which were printed in the earlier volumes of the Transactions,

Mr. Ellis was a member of a family well known and long established in Exeter. Early in life he developed a taste for scientific pursuits, devoting himself especially to the study of astronomy. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, and on one occasion accompanied an expedition to Spain in one of her Majesty's ships for the purpose of making observations of a solar eclipse. He was instrumental in a great measure in procuring the alteration of time in Exeter, and in the West of England from Bath westward, from local to Greenwich time. He took some interest in botany, and also produced some fine examples in electrotype. Mr. Ellis was an active member of the local committee in connection with the Great Exhibition in 1851. He was one of the founders of the School of Art in Exeter, and for a brief period one of its secretaries. He was also a member of the Exeter Diocesan Architectural Society, and as such was greatly conducive in bringing the members of the Archaeological Association to Exeter during the mayoralty of Frederick Franklin, Esq. When the Science School was founded in Exeter, he was one among the first to give it earnest support; and he rendered his fellow-citizens signal service by the efforts he made in the establishment of the Free Library and Albert Memorial Museum, the movement for which was set on foot during the mayoralty of the late Mr. W. Kendall, whose lamented death took place only a few weeks since. He was one of the four secretaries of the Albert Museum, and in that post he laboured most abundantly and successfully. Mr. Ellis was elected to the highest civic dignity with the acclamation of political antagonists in 1869, and his mayoralty will be memorable for the visit to Exeter of the British Association, to the members of which he extended cordial hospitality, and sustained the office of chief magistrate with dignity and credit. It is worthy of note that the Free Library and Museum Act was adopted during his mayoralty, and that the noble building, erected as a memorial to the Prince Consort, became the property of the Town Council about the same time. On his retirement from the mayor's seat, Mr. Ellis was made an alderman; but circumstances connected with the railway work which he about this time took in hand, induced him to sever his connection with the Corporation. This connection was renewed, however, no longer ago than November last, when he was elected to one of the additional aldermanic seats created by the St. Leonard's Annexation Act.

Mr. Ellis was a Charity Trustee. He was also one of the new governors of the Grammar School, and one of the trustees of the Western Provident Association. In obtaining funds for the restoration of Exeter Cathedral he took a very active part, travelling as a deputation throughout the diocese.

Mr. Ellis's exertions extended beyond the city. He became the prime mover, if not the originator, of the Railway Share holders' Association. He was brought forward as the share holders' candidate for a seat, on the Board of Directors of the South Devon Railway. In this contest he was defeated. Shortly after this defeat he was elected a member of the Board of Directors of the Bristol and Exeter Railway, and continued on this board until its amalgamation with the Great Western. He took a prominent part in promoting several useful extensions, of which the Culm Valley Railway - the pioneer of light lines in the West of England - may be mentioned as an example. At the time of his death Mr. Ellis held the position of Chairman of the Culm Valley Company, and he was also chairman of the Brixham line, a property which owes to his exertions the greatly improved condition of its prospects; for up to the time when Mr. Ellis took the management it had never paid a farthing dividend to its shareholders. He was director of many other lines, one in Wales.

On the 27th of April in the present year Mr. Ellis arrived at the residence of a friend, J. J. Barrow, Esq., of Holmwood, Tunbridge Wells; on the following morning he was taken seriously ill. The symptoms were of so alarming a character that Mrs. Ellis was at once telegraphed for, and the services of eminent medical men both from Tunbridge Wells and from London were obtained; but the malady was beyond their skill to arrest, and Mr. Ellis expired on the 13th May, after a fortnight's illness, at the comparatively early age of fifty-two years.

In politics Mr. Ellis was a Conservative, but never a violent partisan; and he was ever ready to help in any good work, and to relieve distress wherever he found it. His public life was an example of unostentatious labour for the good of the community, rewarded by universal respect; and his private life was such as to endear him to all who had the opportunity of associating with him.