REFN: 314
He was a cameo-cutter, sculptor creator of the Hooper Medal. Joseph
Willson, born in Canton in 1825 was associated with Salathiel in New York and Washington. In 1848 he moved to Washington to assist in producing the Presidential Medals for Fillmore, Pierce and Buchanan, the obverse portraits by Ellis, bear identical reverses in interesting design by Willson. They worked together to produce the "Indian Peace Medals".
Quote from "The Antiques Journal", "In a remarkable series of the U.S.
Mint medals one can perceive that a finer hand than Furst's had taken
over the portrait work beginning with the virile medallion portrait of
Major-General Winfield Scott of 1848, through the Pierce, Buchanan of
1857 and Lincoln in 1862, ending with the Cornelius Vanderbilt". From
writing of G. Atwood Manley.
From THE SAN JOSE MERCURY: "In sorrow and sympathy with the living, we note the departure to his beautiful home in the land of souls, of our
artist, sculptor and friend, Salathiel Ellis, who passed on from this
city yesterday, October 28, 1879 at the ripe age of seventy-six years.
Mr. Ellis was a gifted and painstaking artist. He is well known
throughout the western states, where he achieved some of his greatest
triumphs. Among his last works, since he became a resident of San Jose,
is his bust, in marble, of the late Mrs Hill, which is regarded as among
the most faithful and finished productions of his chisel. Mr. Ellis was
among the sweetest and whitest-souled men we ever knew. Finely
organized, with a nature as gentle and refined as that of a noble and
cultured woman, none knew him but to love him. His religion was the
religion of kindness and brotherly love; his faith, the absolute
knowledge of a life beyond. We doubt not in the 'many mansions' of the
Summer Land, there was one ready and in perfect order for him; and that the hand that here called forth such a bright creations from the
voiceless rocks will there find grander studies and higher inspirations,
ever and ever, in the coming ages."
From THE SAN JOSE TIMES: " Mr. Ellis was a sculptor of considerable
reputation. He made the bronze medals for the Indians under four
administrations. He made also the Vanderbilt medal. His last work was
the colossal statue in bronze of Elias Howe, the inventor of sewing
machines, which is now in New York, and for which he was to receive from   the Howe sewing machine company twenty thousand dollars. Mr Ellis leaves three sons residing in San Jose, and one daughter residing in California, and three in Dodge county, Minnesota. He executed a life-size marble medallion of Gen. Edgerton, of this place, and similar one of Hon.
Preston King, of New York, both acknowledged by art critics as not to be
excelled. His three daughters are: Mrs. Thomas White and Mrs. Albert
Calhoun (now deceased), of Milton and Mrs Dr. Wilson of Fillmore county, Nebraska. Only those who knew him best are able to appreciate all his good qualities; but those who were not personally acquainted with him felt as if they had lost a near friend".

• Married: Jul 1825 in Canton, St. Lawrence, NY

1. Fred ELLIS b: 27 Apr 1826 in New York
2. Zelia E. ELLIS b: 27 Apr 1826 in St. Lawrence Co., NY
3. Cath ELLIS b: Abt. 1828 in New York
4. Emma ELLIS b: 25 May 1831 in Canton, St. Lawrence, NY
5. Preston King ELLIS b: Abt. Jun 1835 in New York
6. Mary C. ELLIS b: 8 Jul 1841 in New York
7. William Fred ELLIS b: 16 May 1847 in New York
8. Clalrinda ELLIS b: Abt. 1849 in New York
9. Frank Wilson ELLIS b: Abt. 1849 in New York

1. Title: Ellis/Spears family bible, cited in G. Atwood Manley
   Page: Sept 13, 1961 p.20 St. Lawrence Plain-dealer, Ogdensburg.
2. Title: KENNIE ELLIS 6.4.2000
   Page: OH1B