Difference between revisions of "Francis M. Ellis (1837-1899), Architect"

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q. A Lincoln newspaper reported in 1885 that Ellis "has been awarded the work of preparing plans ans specification for the new $12,000 school house" in Norfolk. Also mentioned was "Mr. Ellis' friends are glad to know that his plans were also adopted for the new insane asylum."[[#References|[55]]] On December 15, 1885, the ''Nebraska State Journal'' published lengthy affidavits defending the soundness of the asylum foundations, refuting charges in the ''Omaha Bee''.[[#References|[58]]] The ''Journal'' also opined "There is perhaps no need for Mr. Ellis to be distressed about ''Bee'' charges.  They are the inevitable inheritance of every man in Nebraska who has any relations to the public and does not pay tribute to the ''Bee''."  Ten days later, "F. M. Ellis & Co." began advertising in the ''Omaha Bee.''[[#References|[59]]] December 30, 1885, the ''Bee'' celebrated that "Upon the urgent solicitation of quite a number of prominent citizens, both here and other parts of the state, Mr. F. M. Ellis has removed his headquarters to Omaha, which will now be his permanent residence....His reputation as an accomplished artist, and thorough business man is beyond a doubt, and he proposed to maintain the high standing he now enjoys, and add to it, if such a thing is possible."[[#References|[60]]] Ellis staked out foundations for additions to the Asylum in July 1887.[[#References|[65]]]
 
q. A Lincoln newspaper reported in 1885 that Ellis "has been awarded the work of preparing plans ans specification for the new $12,000 school house" in Norfolk. Also mentioned was "Mr. Ellis' friends are glad to know that his plans were also adopted for the new insane asylum."[[#References|[55]]] On December 15, 1885, the ''Nebraska State Journal'' published lengthy affidavits defending the soundness of the asylum foundations, refuting charges in the ''Omaha Bee''.[[#References|[58]]] The ''Journal'' also opined "There is perhaps no need for Mr. Ellis to be distressed about ''Bee'' charges.  They are the inevitable inheritance of every man in Nebraska who has any relations to the public and does not pay tribute to the ''Bee''."  Ten days later, "F. M. Ellis & Co." began advertising in the ''Omaha Bee.''[[#References|[59]]] December 30, 1885, the ''Bee'' celebrated that "Upon the urgent solicitation of quite a number of prominent citizens, both here and other parts of the state, Mr. F. M. Ellis has removed his headquarters to Omaha, which will now be his permanent residence....His reputation as an accomplished artist, and thorough business man is beyond a doubt, and he proposed to maintain the high standing he now enjoys, and add to it, if such a thing is possible."[[#References|[60]]] Ellis staked out foundations for additions to the Asylum in July 1887.[[#References|[65]]]
  
r. The J. D. McDonald House at 310 East Military Ave. in Fremont was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.  The nomination lists M. A. Ecker of Lincoln as the architect but does not identify a source of the attribution.[[#References|[68]]]
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r. The J. D. McDonald House at 310 East Military Ave. in Fremont was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.  The nomination cites M. A. Ecker of Lincoln as the architect but does not identify a source of the attribution.[[#References|[68]]] No architect by that name has been identified in Lincoln.  Lincoln newspapers mentioned "Ecker & Mann," architects of St. Joseph, Missouri, among the competitors for the Lancaster County Court House along with Ellis, who won the commission.  The Missouri partners were Edmond J. Eckel and G. R. Mann, according to the 1887 St. Joseph city directory.  Edmond Eckel & Alfred Meier advertised as architects and superintendents in an early Lincoln newspaper (1873).[[#References|[69]]] A stone contractor, William A. Ecker of Lincoln, worked on Ellis' Norfolk Insane Asylum in 1887.[[#References|[70]]] Perhaps he also had a role in the construction of McDonald's large masonry house, but it seems unlikely he was the designer.(EFZ)
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
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68. Joni Gilkerson, "J. D. McDonald House," a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, 1980.
 
68. Joni Gilkerson, "J. D. McDonald House," a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, 1980.
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69. "Eckel & Meier Architects Superintendents," ''(Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal'' (May 1, 1873), 4.
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70. "Norfolk News," ''(Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal'' (November 4, 1887), 7.
  
 
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Revision as of 07:21, 28 April 2020

Marshalltown and Council Bluffs, Iowa, c.1876-1885; Omaha, 1885-1896


DBA: F. M. Ellis, Architect, and F. M. Ellis & Company, Architects.

Francis M. Ellis was born July 18, 1837 in New York in 1837. He married Martha J. Davis in 1862. They were enumerated as residing in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania in the 1870 census, with Francis M. listed as a “house carpenter.”[31][e] Chicago directories listed Ellis variously as a builder, carpenter, or contractor from 1874 through 1876. Then he moved to Marshalltown, Iowa where he began a very productive practice as an architect.[h] Frances [sic] M. Ellis was first identified as an architect in a census in 1880.[32][33][e] In his later years (and especially as an architect) he typically went by F. M. Ellis.[31][32][33][34][e][f]. His Marshalltown practice included a considerable number of buildings throughout the region including in Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota, as well as several projects in Nebraska.[2][12][30] In 1884 he advertised an office in Norfolk, Nebraska, via the Norfolk Journal, while he also maintained the Marshalltown office. He then relocated his office to Omaha in 1886.[8][24] In 1889 Ellis opened a second office, in Council Bluffs, Iowa.[8][20] He was an elected member of the AIA in 1884; a member of the Architectural Association of Iowa in 1885; and Charter member of the Western Association of Architects.[23][26] He was an invalid in his final three years, died January 10, 1899 in Omaha, and was interred in Marshalltown, Iowa.[25][34]

This page is a contribution to the publication, Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. See the format and contents page for more information on the compilation and page organization.

DM197907-27_11w.jpg
Love - Larson Opera House, 1888 (D. Murphy)

Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings

Omaha, Nebraska, 1886-1898

Educational & Professional Associations

ca. 1860-1871: “house carpenter” in Pennsylvania.[2][31]

ca. 1871-1876: builder in Chicago, Illinois.[2][37

ca. 1876-1885: architect in Marshalltown, Iowa.[2]

1884: advertised architectural services in Norfolk, Nebraska, from the Marshalltown office, via the Norfolk Journal.[24]

1885: Ellis & Turner, Architects, Marshalltown, Iowa.[a]

1885: F. M. Ellis & Co., Omaha, Nebraska & Des Moines, Iowa.[59]

1886: F. M. Ellis & Co. (Francis M. Ellis & W. L. Plack), architects, Omaha, Nebraska.[39][i]

1887-1896: Francis M. Ellis, Architect, Omaha, Nebraska.[c]

1896-1898: architect and partner, F. M. Ellis & Co., (Frank M. Ellis & W. E. Findley), Architects, Omaha, Nebraska.

Other Associations

1883: employed John H. Kent in the Omaha, Nebraska office.[19]

1885-1886: advertisements for F. M. Ellis & Co., Omaha & Des Moines, listed "George Burlinghof [sic], with F. M. Ellis."[59]

1886: Ellis was among ten incorporators of Pleasant Hill Building Association of Omaha, along with architect Sidney Smith.[62]

1887: employed Augustus H. Sheppard, principal superintendent in the Omaha office.[4][53]

1889: John H. Kent, draftsman, employed in the Council Bluffs, Iowa office.[20][d]

1889: employed Harry C. Cook in the Council Bluffs, Iowa office.[2][20]

Buildings & Projects

OM9.w.jpg
Millard Block (photo, 1986) (Lynn Meyer)

Dated

Opera House & Masonic Temple (1879), Des Moines, Iowa.[45]

Baptist Church (1881), Waterloo, Iowa.[21][46][l]

Brick, Gothic-style "Edifice for the Baptist society" (1881), Vinton, Iowa.[46][l]

"Harvey's new buildings", two-stories, brick with terra cotta trim (1881), head of Bridge Street, Waterloo, Iowa.[47]

Renke & Wubke Renken House (1883), 401 Coates Street, Parkersburg, Iowa.[36] Listed on NRHP (2014).

A "palace hotel" (1883), corner of Bridge & Commercial Streets, Waterloo, Iowa.[48]

Normal School (ca. 1883), University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa.[21]

Richards Block (1883-1885), 1100 O St., 116 N. 11th, Lincoln, Nebraska.[4][22][38][57] (LC13:C09-049)

First Congregational Church (1883-1886), 13th & L, Lincoln, Nebraska.[4][23][35][38][52][g]

Plans for addition to Funke's Opera House (1883), 12th & O Streets, Lincoln, Nebraska.[52][o]

Opera House and Masonic Temple (prior to 1884), Oskaloosa, Iowa.[4][49][m]

Opera House (ca. 1884), Marshalltown, Iowa.[49][m]

Green's Opera House (prior to 1884), Cedar Rapids, Iowa.[49][m]

Grand Opera House (prior to 1884), Peoria, Illinois.[4][49][m]

McDonough County Insane Asylum and Almshouse (ca. 1884), Macomb, Illinois.[21]

Cherokee High School (ca. 1884), Cherokee, Iowa.[21]

Presbyterian Church (ca. 1884), Council Bluffs, Iowa.[4][21][23]

Brainard High School (ca. 1884), Brainard, Minnesota.[4][21]

N. A. Rainboldt house (ca. 1885), Norfolk, Nebraska.[6][23][38] (MD06-190)

Methodist Episcopal Church (ca. 1885), Beatrice, Nebraska.[4][23][38] (GA03-106-?)

Congregational Church (ca. 1885), Norfolk, Nebraska.[4][6][10][23][38]

Proposal (unsuccessful) for Lancaster County Courthouse (1885), Lincoln, Nebraska.[54][p]

First Presbyterian Church of Marion (1885), 802 12th St, Marion, Iowa.[23] (57-04842)

Red Oak High School (1885), Red Oak, Iowa.[4][21][23][38][a]

Ward School (1885), Red Oak, Iowa.[4][23][38]

State Industrial School (Reform School) Building (1885), Kearney, Nebraska.[2][4][21][38][56]

Insane Asylum (1885), Lincoln, Nebraska.[21][23]

High School (1885), Norfolk, Nebraska.[6][23][38][55][q]

State Insane Asylum (1885-1887), Norfolk, Nebraska.[2][4][6][9][21][38][55][58][65][q]

Bank Building for Thomas Yule (1885), Beatrice, Nebraska.[23][a]

McClary & Company Building (1885), Norfolk, Nebraska.[6] (MD06-146)

Frame school house (1885), Eagle, Iowa.[38]

"Queen Anne style" frame and shingle residence for J. E. Houtz (1885), Lincoln, Nebraska.[38]

Residence "same and same" as Houtz house for F. Neely (1885), Waterloo, Iowa.[38]

Opera House (c. 1885), Newton, Iowa.[4][38]

Opera house (c. 1885), Huron, (South) Dakota.[38]

St. Mary's School, (c. 1885), Robinson, Illinois.[4][38]

High School (c. 1885), Waukon, Iowa.[38]

Court house (c. 1885), Alexandria, Hanson County, South Dakota.[38]

Three-story building for the Home for the Friendless (1885-1886), Lincoln, Nebraska.[2][4][38][55]

Doublehouse for A. Neilds (1886), 3006 Mason, Omaha, Nebraska.[14][17] (DO09:0206-020)

Proposal (unsuccessful) for York County Courthouse (1886), York, Nebraska.[23]

Buildings for Messrs. F. D. Kees, Forbes, Armacost & Co., E. E. Sponable and A. J. Hale (1886), Beatrice, Nebraska.[61]

Plans for Episcopal Church (1886), Fremont, Nebraska.[63]

Christ Episcopal Church (1886-1887), 1217 10th Ave., Sidney, Nebraska.[16] (CN09-042)

Brownell Hall / Grace Bible Institute (1886-1887), 1509 S 10th, Omaha, Nebraska. (DO09:0115-004)

J. W. Griffith house (c. 1887), Omaha, Nebraska.[4]

M. Toft house (c. 1887), Omaha, Nebraska.[4]

Henry W. Yates house (1887), 3120 Davenport, Omaha, Nebraska.[1][5][11]

Millard Block (1887), 1101-07 Harney, Omaha, Nebraska.[4] (DO09:1-11)

Proposal (unsuccessful) for Buffalo County Courthouse (1887), Kearney, Nebraska.[23]

Equitable Building (1887), Park Avenue and Commercial Street, Waterloo, Iowa.[50]

Commercial Building (1887), 1510 Capitol Ave., Omaha, Nebraska.[17] (DO09:0125-013)

House (1887), 2008 Binney St, Omaha, Nebraska.[17] (DO09:0140-093)

Rowhouse (1887), 2409 Hamilton St, Omaha, Nebraska.[17] (DO09:0217-006)

Morris Mayer house (1887), Norfolk, Nebraska.[13]

School (1887), Villisca, Iowa.[66]

Lancaster County Courthouse (1887-1890), Lincoln, Nebraska.[7][15][18][19][21][23] (LC13:C08-322)

Plans of a high school (1887-1888), Omaha, Nebraska.[42][44][64][k]

F. M. Ellis house (c. 1888), Omaha, Nebraska.[3]

Plans for J. B. McDonald House (1888), Military Ave. and D Street, Fremont, Nebraska.[67][r]

Love Larson Opera House (1888), 545 Broad, Fremont, Nebraska.[16] (DD05:E-003) National Register narrative

N. A. Rainbolt house (1888), Norfolk, Nebraska.[29] (MD06-190)

Two-story, eight-room school (1888), 9th Street near Bancroft, Omaha, Nebraska.[42][43][k]

Proposal (unsuccessful) for Washington County Courthouse (1889), Blair, Nebraska.[23]

Proposal (unsuccessful) for Gage County Courthouse (1889), Beatrice, Nebraska.[23]

West End Hotel (1889), West Kearney, Nebraska.[41]

Superintendent of construction of Commercial National Bank (1889-1890), 16th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, Nebraska.[2][40]

Broadway United Methodist Church (ca. 1890), 11 S 1st St, Council Bluffs, Iowa.[23] (78-00244)

Proposal (unsuccessful) for Jefferson County Courthouse ((1890), Fairbury, Nebraska.[23]

Proposal (unsuccessful) for Cass County Courthouse (1890), Plattsmouth, Nebraska.[23]

Fremont National Bank (1892), Fremont, Nebraska.[12]

Taylor County Courthouse (1892-1893), Bedford, Iowa.[21][30:310] (87-00100)

Stucco House (1893), 3618 Farnam, Omaha, Nebraska.[17] (DO09:0319-036)

Building (1895), 1506 Webster St, Omaha, Nebraska.[17] (DO09:0127-022)

Proposal for Marion County Courthouse (1895), Knoxville, Iowa.[51][n]

Undated

Opera House (n.d.), Sac City, Iowa.[4]

High school (n.d.), Marshalltown, Iowa.[4]

High school (n.d.), Hailey, Idaho.[4]

Malialieu University Building (n.d.), Bartley.[4]

McDonouth County Asylum (n.d.), Illinois.[2]

State Deaf & Dumb Institute (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]

Buildings for State Normal School (n.d.), Peru, Nebraska.[2]

Buffalo County Asylum (n.d.), Kearney, Nebraska.[2]

Notes

a. See the 1885 Red Oak School, credited to Ellis & Turner, Architects, Marshalltown, Iowa.[21]

b. Wesley Shank records the name of the architect as Frank M. Ellis[21], as do the records of the Iowa SHPO.[23]

c. The last three years of his life he was confined to bed, due to paralysis.[25]

d. An 1889 bird’s eye view of Kearney, Nebraska lists F. M. Ellis & J. H. Kent as local architects.[27] The Omaha city directory for 1889 lists John H. Kent as "draughtsman F M Ellis."

e. The 1870 U. S. Census lists Francis M. Ellis, age 32, as a house carpenter in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, with his wife Martha (26) and six-year-old daughter Bessie. All were listed as born in New York State. The U. S. Census of 1880 lists “Frances M. Ellis,” architect, age 43, residing in Marshalltown, Iowa, born in NY State. His wife was Martha J. Ellis (36). Also in the household was his mother-in-law Ellenor [sic] Davis, age 59. The Iowa State Census of 1885 also found “Francis M. Ellis,” architect, in Marshalltown, age 47, with wife Martha (39) and Elinor Davis (59).[31][32][33]

f. F. M. Ellis and his wife Martha Ellis were both interred in Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown, Iowa. Their gravestone records his lifespan as July 18, 1837 to January 10, 1889; hers as January 30, 1844 to March 21, 1901.[34]

g. The “Clerk’s Records” of First-Plymouth Congregational Church note that Ellis’ plans were adopted in 1883 “to cost, including frescoing, $15,500.” The building was in use by 1886 at a cost of $27,685.[35]

h. The History of Marshall County, Iowa of 1878 probably exaggerated in crediting Ellis as “architect and superintendent of many fine buildings in Chicago.”[37]

i. Inland Architect mused in its "Mosaics" compendium of news from around the region "What is the matter with the [architectural] profession in Iowa?...F. M. Ellis, of Marshalltown, at Omaha...[and] W. L. Plack has gone to Philadelphia..." Plack had practiced in Des Moines, Iowa before partnering with Ellis in Omaha in 1887.[39]

j. The Omaha World-Herald in June 1890 credited L. J. B. Bourgeois as architect of the bank building while noting: "The superintending of the construction of the building was done by F. M. Ellis, architect."[40]

k. The Omaha Board of Education held a special meeting to discuss Ellis' plans for a building on the high school grounds, which he estimated would cost $35,000. According to Omaha Bee, "His working plans were for a sixteen-room structure with brick walls only a foot thick. This is considered unsafe by members of the board and therefore the matter will be brought before the body." In March of 1888, Ellis advertised for bids for a 16-room High school and an 8-room school at "Omaha View." In April, he advertised for bids for an 8-room school at 9th and Bancroft--perhaps the same as "Omaha View." Among the bills recommended for payment by "the committee on claims" of the Omaha Board of Education in May 1888 was "F. M. Ellis, architect, plans for the High school, $450."[42][43][44][64]

l. The Waterloo Courier described the planned "edifice for the Baptist society at Vinton" (Iowa) as "in gothic style, built of brick, and similar to the one in this city, only smaller. The contract price is $7,500..."[46]

m. The Sioux City Journal reported in 1884 that Ellis "arrived yesterday to see about the opera house that is to be built at this city. Mr. Ellis designed the opera-house at Marshalltown, Peoria, Oskaloosa and Green's, at Cedar Rapids." Ellis informed them that the Peoria house "cost complete $70,000" and "Marshalltown is to cost $32,000 complete." The newspaper also mentioned as potential designers for the Sioux City opera house "The Des Moines architect, Mr. Foster" and "Mr. Cobb, a Chicago architect of opera houses," the latter of whom they were "yet to hear from."[49]

n. "F. M. Ellis, Omaha" and "Geo. E. McDonald, of Lincoln, state architect for Nebraska," were listed among seventeen competing architects for the Marion County Court House.[51]

o. A Lincoln newspaper noted that Ellis' plans for the Congregational church in Lincoln had been adopted, referring to him as "an architect and building superintendent of Marshalltown, Iowa, who makes a specialty of opera house and church work." Mention was made that "Mr. Ellis has also prepared plans for the new addition to our opera house, and was in consultation yesterday with Mr. Fred Funke in regard to the probable cost of the contemplated improvement."[52]

p. Omaha Bee listed four architectural offices that submitted plans in the initial round of solicitations for Lancaster County (Nebraska) Court House: S. E. Maxon of Council Bluffs, Eckel & Mann of Saint Joseph, Missouri, F. M. Ellis of Marshalltonw, Iowa, and E. E. Myers of Detroit, who was said to have submitted three different sets. Myers was selected, but did not receive the eventual commission as bids on his plans all exceeded the budget.[54] Ellis was subsequently selected in a second round in 1887 and his design was constructed by 1890.

q. A Lincoln newspaper reported in 1885 that Ellis "has been awarded the work of preparing plans ans specification for the new $12,000 school house" in Norfolk. Also mentioned was "Mr. Ellis' friends are glad to know that his plans were also adopted for the new insane asylum."[55] On December 15, 1885, the Nebraska State Journal published lengthy affidavits defending the soundness of the asylum foundations, refuting charges in the Omaha Bee.[58] The Journal also opined "There is perhaps no need for Mr. Ellis to be distressed about Bee charges. They are the inevitable inheritance of every man in Nebraska who has any relations to the public and does not pay tribute to the Bee." Ten days later, "F. M. Ellis & Co." began advertising in the Omaha Bee.[59] December 30, 1885, the Bee celebrated that "Upon the urgent solicitation of quite a number of prominent citizens, both here and other parts of the state, Mr. F. M. Ellis has removed his headquarters to Omaha, which will now be his permanent residence....His reputation as an accomplished artist, and thorough business man is beyond a doubt, and he proposed to maintain the high standing he now enjoys, and add to it, if such a thing is possible."[60] Ellis staked out foundations for additions to the Asylum in July 1887.[65]

r. The J. D. McDonald House at 310 East Military Ave. in Fremont was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The nomination cites M. A. Ecker of Lincoln as the architect but does not identify a source of the attribution.[68] No architect by that name has been identified in Lincoln. Lincoln newspapers mentioned "Ecker & Mann," architects of St. Joseph, Missouri, among the competitors for the Lancaster County Court House along with Ellis, who won the commission. The Missouri partners were Edmond J. Eckel and G. R. Mann, according to the 1887 St. Joseph city directory. Edmond Eckel & Alfred Meier advertised as architects and superintendents in an early Lincoln newspaper (1873).[69] A stone contractor, William A. Ecker of Lincoln, worked on Ellis' Norfolk Insane Asylum in 1887.[70] Perhaps he also had a role in the construction of McDonald's large masonry house, but it seems unlikely he was the designer.(EFZ)

References

1. John Grant, Glimpses of Omaha (Omaha : D. C. Dunbar & Co., ca.1888), 44.

2. Jno Lethem, Historical & Descriptive Review of Omaha (Lethem, 1892), 195.

3. Omaha Illustrated (Omaha: D. C. Dunbar, 1888), 81, 105.

4. “F. M. Ellis,” The (Omaha) Herald (January 1, 1887).

5. Nebraska State Historical Society Photographic Collections, Y32-5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

6. Norfolk Journal (May 15, 1885), 4:3.

7. Ink on Linen Drawings, Nebraska State Historical Society, State Archives (1888).

8. Norfolk Journal (December 17, 1885), 4:4.

9. Norfolk Journal (October 1, 1885), 4:4.

10. Norfolk Journal (October 22, 1885), 4:2.

11. Omaha Herald (January 1, 1887) See Omaha Arch'ts File

12. Fremont Daily Tribune (November 11, 1892).

13. Norfolk Journal (February 24, 1887), 5:3.

14. Landmarks, Inc., An Inventory of Historic Omaha Buildings (Omaha: City of Omaha and Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission, 1980), 147.

15. Oliver B. Pollak, Nebraska Courthouses: Contention, Compromise, and Community [Images of America Series] (Chicago: Arcadia Publishing, 2002), 48. [725.1.P771n]

16. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

17. City of Omaha Planning Department, Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission, Database, Query on Architects, May 20, 2002; courtesy of Lynn Meyer, Preservation Planner.

18. Tom Kaspar, comp. Inventory of architectural records in the archives of Davis Fenton Stange Darling, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska. 1996. Nebraska State Historical Society, RG3748, Box 16.

19. [Edward F. Zimmer], “F. M. Ellis Omaha Architect (1886-1898),” TS [Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Department], n.d.

20. Omaha Daily Republican (December 1, 1889). John Kent and Harry C. Cook are in charge of the Council Bluffs Office.

21. Wesley I. Shank, Iowa’s Historic Architects: A Biographical Dictionary (Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1998), 58.

22. Lincoln Illustrated and Lincoln’s Growth (Lincoln: Journal Company State Printers, 1887), 18.

23. Iowa State Historic Preservation Office, Architect files and database search; data from Barbara A. Mitchell, Architectural Historian (Iowa), to Bob Puschendorf, Deputy SHPO (Nebraska), July 19, 2011.

24. “F. M. Ellis, Architect and Designer of Public and Private Buildings,” Norfolk Journal (June 20, 1884), 4:4.

25. “Architect Ellis Dies,” Omaha World-Herald (January 11, 1899), 5:2.

26. Industrial Chicago: The Building Interests Vol. 1 (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1891), 301; accessed August 2, 2012, http://libsysdigi.library.uiuc.edu/oca/Books2008-03/industrialchicag/industrialchicag01good/industrialchicag01good.pdf

27. Henry Wellge, “Kearney, Neb.,” [bird’s eye view] American Publishing Company, 1889. World Maps Online, accessed July 16, 2013, http://www.worldmapsonline.com/historicalmaps/1W-NE-KE-1889.htm

28. Norfolk Journal (January 9, 1885), 4:2.

29. Norfolk Daily News (August 28, 1888), 1. [illus. in elec. file]

30. David Gebhard and Gerald Mansheim. Buildings of Iowa. (Society of Architectural Historians, Buildings of the United States) New York: Oxford University Press, 1993.

31. Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line], (s.v. “Fred M. Ellis”), Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009.

32. Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line], (s.v. “Frank M. Ellis,” residing in Iowa), Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.

33. Ancestry.com. Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925 [database on-line], (s.v. “Frank M. Ellis,” residing in Iowa), Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007.

34. Ancestry.com. U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.

35. First-Plymouth Congregational Church, “Extract from Clerk’s Records, 1866-1965,” mss., 21.

36. Melodie J. McLean, “Renken, Renke and Wubke (Francen), House,” Parkersburg, Iowa; nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, listed 2014.

37. Chicago city directories, 1872-1877.

38. Inland Architect (October 1885), 47.

39. Inland Architect (April 1887), 48.

40. "Notice to Contractors," Omaha (Nebraska) Daily Herald (March 15, 1889), 7; "A Temple to Finance--The Commercial National Banks New Building and Its Distinctive Architecture," Omaha (Nebraska) World-Herald (June 1, 1890), 8.

41. "West Kearney--Will Undoubtedly be the Centre of the State's Most Important Manufacturing Interests...West End Hotel," Omaha Daily Herald (April 14, 1889) 13 (description), 14 (illustration).

42. "Notice to Contractors," Omaha (Nebraska) World-Herald (March 18, 1888), 4.

43. "Notice to Contractors," Omaha (Nebraska) Daily Herald (April 15, 1888), 11.

44. "Two More School Buildings--Contracts Awarded Last Night--Many Construction Claims Allowed," Omaha (Nebraska) World-Herald (May 8, 1888), 2.

45. "To Contractors" (advertisement for bids "for the erection of an Opera House and Masonic Temple"), Des Moines (Iowa) Register (April 17, 1879), 3.

46. "Local and Miscellaneous Items," The (Waterloo, Iowa) Courier (May 18, 1881), 5; "Dedicatory Services. The New Baptist Church Devoted, with Solemn Ceremonials, to the Worship of God," The (Waterloo, Iowa) Courier (November 2, 1881), 6.

47. The (Waterloo, Iowa) Courier (August 3, 1881), 5.

48. "The New Hotel. Work Begun--A Plan of the First Floor and Description of the House," The (Waterloo, Iowa) Courier (July 4, 1883), 5.

49. "Opera-House Figures," Sioux City (Iowa) Journal (September 12, 1884), 3.

50. "A Handsome Building," The (Waterloo, Iowa) Courier (September 28, 1887), 5.

51. "Fight Over The Court House. Marion County's Building a Bone of Contention for Architects," Des Moines (Iowa) Register (August 4, 1895), 1.

52. "The Plans Adopted," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (August 11, 1883), 5.

53. The Omaha city directory for 1887 lists Augustus H. Sheppard as "supt F M Ellis, r. 1404 Farnam."

54. "The New Court House," Omaha (Nebraska) Daily Bee (February 3, 1885), 7.

55. "Northern Nebraska," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (May 19, 1885), 6.

56. "New State Buildings," Daily Evening News (Lincoln, Nebraska) (July 18, 1885), 4.

57. "A Magnificent Block. To Be Erected by the Richards Bros. at the Corner of O and Eleventh," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (July 26, 1885), 7.

58. "The Norfolk Hospital. The Slanders of the Bee Wholly Refuted and Stamped as Lies. Complete Vindication of the Architect and Contractor," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (December 15, 1885), 2.

59. "F. M. Ellis & Co. Architect and Building Superint's Omaha, Neb, and Des Moines, IA." Omaha (Nebraska) Bee (December 25, 1885), 5.

60. Omaha (Nebraska) Bee (December 30, 1885), 8.

61. "Personal," Beatrice (Nebraska) Daily Express (May 19, 1886), 4.

62. "A New Building Association," Omaha (Nebraska) Daily Bee (May 28, 1886), 8.

63. "Local News," notice of Ellis "consulting with the Episcopalians concerning plans for their new church," Fremont (Nebraska) Tribune (August 10, 1886), 4.

64. "Board of Education. A Special Meeting to be Held Monday Evening," Omaha (Nebraska) Daily Bee (May 22, 1887), 2.

65. "Starting the Insane Asylum," Omaha (Nebraska) Daily Bee (July 17, 1887), 1.

66. "Notice for Proposals," Omaha (Nebraska) Daily Bee (August 21, 1887), 8.

67. "Will Open the Season," Fremont (Nebraska) Tri-Weekly Tribune (February 23, 1888), 2.

68. Joni Gilkerson, "J. D. McDonald House," a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, 1980.

69. "Eckel & Meier Architects Superintendents," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (May 1, 1873), 4.

70. "Norfolk News," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (November 4, 1887), 7.

Page Citation

D. Murphy & E. F. Zimmer, “Francis M. Ellis (1837-1899), Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, April 28, 2020. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, April 19, 2024.


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