- ELLIS SHOPBELL, senior partner of the firm of SHOPBELL &
NORRIS, proprietors of the
- Phoenix Planing Mill, was born in Lycoming County, Pa., March
20, 1835, and is a son of Peter and Catherine (HILL) SHOPBELL.
His parents, who are now deceased, were also natives of Pennsylvania,
and were highly respected people. Ellis received a common-school
education, and when nineteen years of age began to learn the
carpenter's trade, at which he worked until August, 1862, when
he enlisted during the late war as a member of the 12th Wisconsin
battery, and served three years. He took part in the following
battles: Iuka, Corinth, Raymond, Jackson, Miss., Vicksburg, Missionary
Ridge and Allatoona. He was then with Sherman on the march to
the sea, after which he engaged in the battles of Savannah and
Bentonville, N.C.
- On being discharged from the army, Mr. SHOPBELL returned
to Janesville, where he had made
- his home from 1856 until the time of his enlistment, and
resumed work at his trade. In 1871 he began the manufacture of
sash and doors, and in 1872 formed the existing partnership with
Sutton NORRIS. Their establishment is known as the Phoenix Planing
Mill, and employs from fifteen to eighteen men. They engage in
the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, moldings and brackets
on the race near Milwaukee street, and also manufacture the Jackson
Refrigerator, the most popular refrigerator in the market. They
are the sole proprietors of the patent of the improved common
sense weather strips, for Wisconsin and Illinois. This indispensable
invention is known as "Kellogg & Devers' Air-tight Weather
Strip," and is a great success.
- In the month of May, 1867, Mr. SHOPBELL was joined in wedlock
with Miss Mattie PARKER,
- a daughter of John PARKER, Esq. She was born in Oneida County,
N.Y., and removed with her parents to Monroe, Wis. She is a member
of All Souls' Church. Four children have been born of their union,
all daughters - Kittie, Mamie, Mattie and Edna. In political
sentiment Mr. SHOPBELL is a Republican, but has never sought
or desired public office, preferring to give us undivided attention
to his business. He is a member of W. H. Sargent Post No. 20,
G.A.R., and of Crystal Temple of Honor No. 32, and is held in
high respect by all who know him.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 831-832.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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