George Fletcher Ellis was born in Raleigh, NC, March 13, 1825. He grew up in Alabama, married, and became an itinerant Methodist preacher, but as his family grew, he decided to go into something more remunerative, and went to farming. At this he prospered, and his farm at Shiloh, Marengo Co, known as "The Hill", was the family homestead for many years. During this period he served nearby churches and communities as local preacher. In 1886, as he was getting old, and the education of his younger children was necessary, he sold his farm, and removed to Greensboro, Alabama, where he accepted a position with Southern University, in which he acted as Dean of Men, and was in charge of the dormitories, and in that capacity was able to supervise the activities of this own sons and become acquainted with his future son-in-law. He built a home in Greensboro where he lived until his death on June 4, 1901.

Of his marriage to Martha Curry, 15 children were born, 12 of whom lived to be grown. Of those, there were eight college graduates and the others had good educational advantages.

He gathered his family for prayer twice daily, and conducted with his children intensive Bible Study, history, literature, biography. His reading table was always full of the latest magazines and newspapers and he bought constantly the best current books of the day. This home was a "half way" house to travelers in that section, and no one, from the pack peddler to the highest ecclesiastic or county official, was ever turned away.

Possibly, Geo. F. Ellis was the most widely known man in that part of Ala. He had preached all thru several counties and the saying was comon that people thought they were not properly married or buried unless he officiated. He stood strong for the right among both blacks and whites, and the low violator feared and shunned him.