William Ellmore
1865-1929
Ligon Portraiture Picture
Brother Ellmore's Condition
We have just received the following letter from Sister Ellmore in regard to Brother Will Ellmore's condition: 2356 N. Penn. St. Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 15--Dear Bro. Rowe: We are now located at the above address having come here that Mr. Ellmore might have the benefit of the "Abrams Method" of Electronic treatment. This we were influenced to do by Ben J. Elston, whose wife, Mr. E's sister, was cured of sarcoma of the spine, when she was so low she wanted them to let her die. Their daughter, Irene, also had T.B. arrested by this same treatment.
Frank Johnson, a fine young man of the Long Branch Church, left his school in charge of his sister and brought Bro. Elston to Covington last Wendesday night. Thursday, A. M., they visited the Danville Doctor, and in the P.M. drove to Indianapolis and visited Dr. Bulleit then to New Market to tell our daughter, Ruth their findings and back to T. B. for meeting at night, making a trip of 200 miles or more.
After their investigations, we all decided it best to come here. We made the trip by ambulance, Saturday, A. M., Oct. 12. Bro. Moss left his work, came with us, and stayed with us, until he saw that we were settled and made comfortable. Bro. Ben met us in Indianapolis and assisted us in every way he could. We went at once to pain and Dr. Bulleit's office, where after a blood test and treatment. Bro. Vincent and Sister Faye Moss of the East Side Church, met us and brought us to our present location. Many others were offering assistance, day after day, in any and every way. We have also received many messages of sympathy which we greatly appreciate. “Honor to whom honor is due.”
After one, four hour treatment, Mr. E. slept more naturally, was freer from pain, and rested better Sat. night, than for several weeks past. Just what this treatment will do for him, whether there will be permanent relief we will have to wait and see. We will trust the Lord and keep on praying.
Later report received from Sis. Ellmore last Friday reports Brother Will as showing more improvement than the doctor had hoped for.
-Christian Leader, October 22, 1929, page 7
Hearts Bowed Down
The announcement of the death of Will Ellmore will bring sorrow to all brethren who have faithfully and anxiously prayed for his recovery. None of us were prepared for such a sudden taking-off. When he gave us his work three months ago we did not think then that he had kept going by will power, but evidently he had. The funeral services were held at Covington, Ind., Sunday, the 3rd at 2:30. There was a great crowd of people present and several preachers, and there would have been many others has it been possible to get there within the limited time.
The little building was crowded, and there were probably five times as many outside who could not hear, and only had the opportunity to pass through and view the remains. This outpouring of people was a beautiful expression of the love and respect with which Brother Will was held.
Among the preachers present were: P.B. May, W.A. McBride, A.L. Russell, Grover Moss, Frank Ellmore, and F.L. Rowe. There were brethren present from southern Iowa and all the regions around about within a day’s driving distance. This is the largest funeral I have attended since the death of J.C. Myers of State Line, Ind., about fifteen years ago.
The floral places were many and beautiful.
The Scripture lesson was read by W.A. McBride, the prayer was by F.L. Rowe, and the address by Grover Moss, music by a mixed quartet.
Bro. Will Ellmore has been one of the great preaching powers of our northern brethren. The son of a brilliant father, who himself was also a life-long evangelist, it came natural for Will to develop into a great preacher. He has always seemed so well and strong that it seems hard to realize now that he is not with us. His death means a great gap in the diminishing forces of our able evangelists. We have been losing more men in the north than the cause can well stand, and our supply of young preachers is not very large. The harvest is great and ready for the reaping, but the reapers are few and scattered.
The sympathy of the whole brotherhood goes out to Sister Ione Ellmore, Bro. Will’s faithful companion, and to their children, who are dearly loved by all who know them, and to the home and community that will miss the counsel and help of a wise man and godly man.
May the God of heaven prepare all for that last great change and may he raise up others to carry on the great work when our days of labor are over.
-F.L. Rowe, Christian Leader, November 5, 1929, page 7
Ben's Budget
Others will note in the Leader, the passing of this husband, father, brother, friend and preacher. Mainly, others may be heard. I shall say that he has had much influence over me. Some of this he knew; some he did not know. Sometimes I wonder what would have been, if things had been different from what they are. But however far we think we may be safe in seeing “God’s hand” in the events that constitute our "experience," or history, yet, still “somehow or other," things are as they are, and we are responsible. I thank God, as I have thanked Will, for the good he has done me. I am sorry I ever did him or anyone else, at any time, in any way, any harm. By the very great mercy of God I hope to be with him again, “where we shall know fully,” and be forever happily and fully known.
-Ben J. Elston, Christian Leader, November 12, 1929, page 8
William Ellmore
An Acrostic
William Ellmore was my friend indeed,
He would help me when I was in need.
His help came from his great intellect,
Yet no word of praise did he expect.
I miss him more than my pen can write,
Or my tongue can speak in word tonight.
For he loved me like a brother true,
I reciprocated his love, too.
Letters were his, ready at his hand,
Volumes of lore, wore at his command.
Thoughts of his other minds he would devour,
He could bring them forth at any hour.
Love for his friends was his great delight,
But it could not swerve him from the right.
Strong in his convictions for the truth,
Speaking kindly both to age and youth.
In all his witticisms he
Dealt in pleasantries so pure and free.
His joke and song were as health to me.
Rich philosophy was there to see.
A man of brain and heart—no pretence.
More than common ordinary sense.
Open hand to help a friendless boy,
Or to fill a widow's heart with joy.
Matchless was his speech in argument.
Let the word of God say what it meant.
For the truth made no apologies,
And he never dared to deal in lies.
Ever did he love to hear me preach,
Though on every point he could me teach.
But such was his great humility
A servant he would much rather be.
Lonesome indeed are my feelings now,
But to God’s will, I must humbly bow.
But Willie dear, why leave me here,
For no one can fill your place, I fear.
Long will seem the hours, till we shall meet,
And walk along on the golden street,
I will hear your tenor far above,
The sweet singers of redeeming love.
My brother, friend and my Jonathan,
My heart was knit to you—but then,
The angel would not wait—but took you on,
Mybrother dear, and God's blessed Son.
Oh could I hear you speak tonight,
Of that good scene that met your sight,
Oh how the loved ones crowded round,
To greet you on that sacred ground!
Ransomed throng! A triumphant flight!
To have joined them in that holy light,
Of great glory to our God on high,
Forever in that “sweet by and by.”
Everlasting joy be on your head,
Oh we can not think of you as dead.
May God help me to be more like you,
In kindness and love in what I do.
—Thaddeus S. Hutson, November 12, 1929, Christian Leader, page 8.
The Circle Is Becoming Smaller
I am led to this reflection by the sad news of the departure from this world of my brother in Christ, and schoolmate of forty years ago, William Ellmore. One by one the friends whom we have known and loved in the long ago, are leaving us. As we sojourn on earth we make new friends, but in the nature of the case, the years are lacking to ripen that friendship into fullest fruitage.
Nature endowed William Ellmore with great possibilities. He had a great mind to begin with. In college, many of the young men had trouble, or rather had problems to solve in their work in mathematics under “Daddy White,” which problems baffled their skill. William Ellmore had a mathematical mind, and his help was sought by many of the students in the “Math” course, and that help was cheerfully given.
In later years he used that analytical mind specially in studying the Old Book, and he was ever true to its teaching. I am sorry that his natural timidity kept him from publicity in writing, and I hope even yet, that he has perpetrated some product of his great mind in manuscripts that will yet be published.
Never saw “Willie” but one time after we left college in Lexington, Ky. I was in Washington, Ind., a few years since, engaged in a meeting, and he came to spend a few days in the meeting. It was a real joy to me to be with him again; but after being with us for only one service, he was called to Illinois to conduct a funeral service, and I saw him no more.
There was a group of five men that have been associated in my mind, since our school days in Lexington: William Ellmore, Frank, his brother, Ben Elston, Austin Russell and Frank Kline. The first three I have seen one time each since we left college. The other two I have not seen but hope that I may yet again see in the flesh, if God so will. These were all “Indiana boys,” and my impression is they were reared in the same community. I met them all about the same time, and I hardly ever think of one without thinking of the other four. That group is broken now, and the circle is smaller.
I have often wished that there might be a reunion arranged for the “Bible College Boys” with whom I sat at the feet of the peerless trio, back in 1889 and the early 90’s. This reunion can never take place here. Many of them are gone to the other side. But I am sure there will be a reunion if those who have passed on were faithful to the end, and those of us who are left continue faithful to the close of our pilgrimage. That reunion is not anticipated by me, as a reunion of pupils in any particular school, or citizens of any given community, but of God’s children, who have labored, loved, sacrificed, and sorrowed in the cause of the blessed Christ, the holiest cause that ever drew men together. Going to school together, or living together in a given place furnishes the occasion for these tender ties of friendship, but the ground is in the labor and love in the common cause of our blessed Lord.
“Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love.
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.”
This age needs men such as was William Ellmore. Men who are neither ashamed nor afraid to declare all the counsel of God. Men who will in heart, in teaching, and in life, not only approve that which God in his word approves, but who will condemn that which God in his word condemns. This age is frought with almost limitless possibilities for good; and also with numerous dangers to our eternal salvation. Many are compromising God’s truth and forming affinities with those who trample upon divine authority. Many are saying, “Peace, peace, where there is no peace.” It is not uncommon now to hear men say, there is no occasion now for emphasizing strict and unwavering adherence to the word of God, as was the case seventy-five or even fifty years ago. “The sects and the world know our plea, and we should not antagonize them by reiterating the plea constantly.”
Well, I have no special interest in “our plea,” but I know that God’s plea for faithfulness to his word is virtually ignored by “the sects and the world,” and that there was never a time when the will, word and way of God needed to be faithfully preached and practices than now.
But I have departed from my theme. I pray that as I am left by one after another of my friends day by day, I may be faithful to my guide, the Book, and may be of some little service in the kingdom of God’s dear Son, for the remainder of the journey.
—November 12, 1929, T. Q. Martin, Christian Leader, page 5.
Rites For Pastor Held in Covington
Funeral services for the Rev. William Ellmore, 64, evangelist of the Church of Christ, who died Friday at Indianapolis, were held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Church of Christ. Burial was in the Mount Hope cemetery, south of Covington. Grove Moss, a friend of the deceased was in charge of the services.
The Rev. Mr. Ellmore was born April 6, 1865, at Thorntown, Ind., a son of Alfred Ellmore, also an evangelist, and Elizabeth Bogan Ellmore. He received his education at Lexington, Ky., and entered into evangelistic work for the Church of Christ. During a recent revival service his health failed him and he was forced to return to his home in Covington. An examination revealed he was suffering from an internal cancer and he went to Indianapolis for treatment.
Surviving are the widow, one brother King Ellmore, a daughter, Ruth Ellmore, a teacher in the high school at New market, Ind., and a son, Austin Ellmore of Chicago.
—Newpaper Report From Covington Republican, Covington, Indiana, November 8, 1929
Driving Instructions To Grave Location
Mt. Hope Cemetery
Section 2-Lot 6-Grave 3
Grave Faces West
GPS Location Of The Grave
40°07'55.8"N 87°23'11.9"W
or D.d. 40.132166,-87.386649
From Indianapolis, Indiana you take Interstate 74 to the west. It is about a one hour drive. You take the Covington exit (exit #8 which also means it is eight miles from the Indiana - Illinois border. Turn right (north) as you exit the interstate onto South Meridian Avenue.The Mt. Hope cemetery is about two miles north of the interstate and is on both sides of the road. Alfred Ellmore is buried on the west side of the road (to a drivers left as he is heading north toward Covington). Enter the North Entrance of Mt. Hope Cemetery. Bear to the right and wrap around to the left. When you get to the back side of the curve look back toward the entrance and the Ellmore grave should be right in front of you next to the car. William's father, Alfred is buried on this side of the road, but at the SW corner. See his page here.
Ione
1875-1931
William
1865-1929
Special Thanks
In June, 2009 Tom L. Childers, C. Wayne Kilpatrick and Scott Harp traveled about 3000 miles in one week through parts of Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky. During this time we found the graves of 75 church leaders in the Restoration Movement. Chronicling these leaders into websites has been time consuming. Many thanks to Tom and Wayne in helping to take photos, share the driving, and putting up with your web master's slave-driving effort to see as many as we did in the time we had. Their photos as well as some of mine are seen on this site. Also special appreciation is extended to Terry J. Gardner who provided the written obituary information from old issues of the Christian Leader.