Biographies
REV. JOHN H. ELLIS
There
is perhaps no more distinguished and revered personage in Sacramento and
vicinity and throughout northern California than is Rev. John H. Ellis, who has
been stationed since November, 1902, in various sections of the west and
demonstrated his splendid power in his calling. He is ranked as a leader among
those cultured, eloquent and scholarly men who are devoting their lives the the spiritual upbuilding of the
Roman Catholic Church throughout the west. Endowed liberally by nature with the
qualities that contribute to useful and successful service in the cause of
suffering humanity, he was yet very young when he gave evidence of exceptional
mental attributes and it was therefore determined to prepare him for the
priesthood. His education was primarily acquired in Westmeath, Ireland, where
he was born February 18, 1876, in the home of James and Ann Ellis. It was
during 1894 that he completed the course of study which had engaged his
attention at St. Mary's Christian Brothers College, Mullingar,
Westmeath, where he carried forward the study of mathematics and literature. On
December 24, 1899, he was ordained by Dr. Walsh, Archbishop of Dublin, in the
Chapel of Holy Cross College, Clonliffe. He was
graduated in 1900 with an exceptionally high standing, having made his
philosophical and theological degrees at All Hallows' College, Dublin, and he
was admirably qualified by culture and training for the important sphere of
activity into which he entered. Coming to the United States in 1909, he
proceeded directly to California and was assigned to assist the late Very Rev.
C. M. Lynch, V. G., of Grass Valley. From that place in November of 1902 he was
transferred temporarily to Nevada City Nev., as assistant, but at the
expiration of six months he was reassigned to Grass Valley. At this time he
began his long and distinguished connection with the Cathedral of the Blessed
Sacrament in Sacramento, where he served as assistant until 1906, and then he
officiated as rector until 1912, when, having demonstrated his ability and
unquestioned loyalty to the work, he was sent by Bishop Grace, at his return
from Europe, to Jackson, Cal., where he took charge of the work of forwarding
the Roman Catholic Church there. He also attends to the spiritual needs of the
boys of the Preston School of Industry, where there are nearly two hundred
Catholic boys. Since undertaking that work the Catholic boys have been exempt
from attendance at Protestant Divine services and arrangements have been made
for securing positions for the young men as they leave and for rendering them
other religious and social aid. Father Ellis has bent all his energy to
fulfilling the duties laid down in him with the utmost care and fidelity in
order to procure the most splendid results, and already the response to his
efforts has proven them not in vain and he has shown himself to be the worthy
man for the situation.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 1001-1002. Historic Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.