US Congressman. He attended schools in Montgomery County, left the home of his parents when he was sixteen, and lived in several towns in DeKalb County, Illinois. Ellwood worked as a farmhand and laborer for four years before returning to New York to continue his education. He attended Cherry Valley Seminary, but did not graduate. He then moved to Glenville, New York, where he worked at a lumber mill. In the late 1840s Ellwood began a business in Glenville, growing broom corn and manufacturing brooms. The venture proved successful, and he operated it for several years, at one time employing nearly 150 workers. Ellwood served on the Schenectady County Board of Supervisors and in the New York Assembly, and in 1856 he was a Delegate to the first Republican National Convention. In 1857 he returned to DeKalb County, settling in Sycamore, which received its town charter in 1858. Ellwood operated a hardware store and pharmacy, and later began a business manufacturing farm implements, which became one of Sycamore's largest employers. When Sycamore became a city in 1869, Ellwood was elected its first Mayor. In 1882 he was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Republican. He was reelected in 1884 and served from March, 1883 until his death.
US Congressman. He attended schools in Montgomery County, left the home of his parents when he was sixteen, and lived in several towns in DeKalb County, Illinois. Ellwood worked as a farmhand and laborer for four years before returning to New York to continue his education. He attended Cherry Valley Seminary, but did not graduate. He then moved to Glenville, New York, where he worked at a lumber mill. In the late 1840s Ellwood began a business in Glenville, growing broom corn and manufacturing brooms. The venture proved successful, and he operated it for several years, at one time employing nearly 150 workers. Ellwood served on the Schenectady County Board of Supervisors and in the New York Assembly, and in 1856 he was a Delegate to the first Republican National Convention. In 1857 he returned to DeKalb County, settling in Sycamore, which received its town charter in 1858. Ellwood operated a hardware store and pharmacy, and later began a business manufacturing farm implements, which became one of Sycamore's largest employers. When Sycamore became a city in 1869, Ellwood was elected its first Mayor. In 1882 he was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Republican. He was reelected in 1884 and served from March, 1883 until his death.
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Bio by: Bill McKern