Dr. J. B. Ellis Died at Cordell, Okla. The distinguished author was former resident of Plattsburg. Dr. John Breckenridge Ellis, 86 years old, died April 2 at Cordell, Okla., where he had made his home for the past few years. His death marks the passing of a much beloved and honored former resident of the Plattsburg community. Dr. Ellis was born February 11, 1870, at Hannibal, Mo., the son of Dr. J. W. and Sallie Breckenridge Ellis. The elder Dr. Ellis was a distinguished scholar, lawyer, minister, and educator. He came with his family to Plattsburg in 1880 as a minister and President and Owner of old Plattsburg College. Besides Dr. “Breck”, there was one other son, Perry, whose death occurred several years ago. At the age of one and a half years, “Breck” was a victim of spinal meningitis, which left him a cripple the remainder of his life. In spite of this handicap he was graduated from college with honors, and taught in Plattsburg College under his father. He early decided that his life’s work would be writing, and persevered in this field until at the age of twenty-nine years, his first book was published – “Shem” – which, although not a lucrative attainment, still furnished him the courage to carry on. His courage and fortitude finally won him fame and recognition. His book “Fran” became as a “best seller”. Dr. Ellis received numerous honors, among them the distinction of being the first president of the Missouri Writers’ Guild, an award of the honorary L.L.D. degree, and wide recognition in his profession. Not only was he handicapped by being an invalid, but early in life he was confronted with a threat of blindness. He learned to read braille, and continued in his studies and work. He was prolific writer, and in addition to his numerous novels, composed many songs and poems. Among his books were: “Shem”, “Lahoma”, “Fran”, “Third Diamond”, “Little Fiddler of the Ozarks”, “Something Else”, “Arkansas Cousins”, “Twin Starrs”, “Red Box Clew”, “Soul of a Serf”, “Holland Wolves”, “Adnah”, “Garciliaso”, “Dread and Fear of Kings”, “Fated to Win”, “In the Days of Jehu”, and “King Saul”. In addition to these books, he was also the author of numerous “serials” which were published in magazines, and hundreds of short stories and articles. Following the death of his father, J. Breckenridge Ellis and his mother continued to make their home in Plattsburg. At the death of Mrs. Ellis, he moved to Granite, Okla., where he resided with a relative for several years, then moved to Cordell where he remained until his death.

Funeral services were held at the Lyon Chapel in Plattsburg Wednesday afternoon, at four o’clock, conducted by Rev. Wm. K. Herod, and burial was in Greenlawn Cemetery.

The Plattsburg Leader, April 6, 1956