Isaac B. Ellison, who for years was one of the active men of affairs of Sumner county, Kansas, is a native of Indiana. He was born on a farm in Madison county, July 26, 1843, and is a son of James and Susanna (Mitchell) Ellison, both natives of Virginia. The father came to Indiana with his parents, who were early pioneers of that State. Susanna Mitchell was a daughter of James Mitchell, who was a soldier in the War of 1812. Isaac B. Ellison was one of a family of fifteen children, all of whom grew to maturity and seven are now living. There were ten sons and five of them served in the Civil war. The following are the surviving members of the family: Riley, retired, Logan county, Oklahoma; Charles, retired, Henry county, Indiana; William M. resides in Illinois; David F., a farmer in Madison county, Indiana; Sarah, married Jerry Cunningham, of Logansport, Ind., and Isaac B., of this review. The deceased children are: James, Jesse, Granville, John, Joseph, Fannie, Lucy, Elizabeth and Ellen. The father died in 1856 and the mother in 1868, both in Madison county, Indiana.

Isaac B. Ellison was reared on his father's farm in Madison county, and his early life was spent in the uneventful way of the average farmer boy, until the outbreak of the Civil war, when, on March 1, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Nineteenth Indiana infantry. He participated in the battles of Bull Run (second), Gettysburg, Fredericksburg and numerous other engagements. He was discharged on account of disability before the close of the war, with a good military record to his credit. He was in many hard-fought battles and had several narrow escapes, but only received one slight wound. After his discharge from the army he returned to his Indiana home, and remained on the farm until 1870, when he removed to Piatt county, Illinois, remaining here two years, when he returned to Madison county, Indiana, and in 1880 came to Sumner county, Kansas, and bought one-half section of land near South Haven, which he still owns. This is one of the best improved farms in the county, and here he carried on farming and stock raising successfully until 1901, when he retired and removed to South Haven, where he now resides. He has never been active in politics, but has always taken a commendable interest in public affairs, and has been a member of the South Haven city council several years. He is a Democrat and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Ellison was united in marriage May 5, 1865, to Miss Sarah A. Keesling, a daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Riggs) Keesling. She is also a native of Indiana, born in Madison county, August 12, 1843. Mrs. Ellison's father was a native of Ohio, born May 19, 1813, and died in March, 1893, and her mother was born in 1818, and died August 29, 1879. They both spent the latter part of their lives in Madison county, Indiana. They were the parents of fifteen children, fourteen of whom lived to maturity. The following are now living: Catharine, married Moses Parker; Margaret, now the widow of G. Riggs; Nancy E.; Almira, widow of John Ellison; Melvina, married L. Bristol; Jacob S. and Sarah, now Mrs. Isaac B. Ellison, the subject of this sketch. The deceased members of the Keesling family are as follows: Susanna, Beniah, Jackson, Martha, Emma Jane, Matilda, Martin Luther and James.

To Mr. and Mrs. Ellison have been born seven children: A son, who died in infancy; Jacob Newton, born March 6, 1867, and died January 16, 1885; Charles Henry, born March 30, 1875, and died January 20, 1882; Laura C., born March 31, 1868, and died October 29, 1880; Nancy Elizabeth, born December 12, 1867, married William Hope; Nola C., born June 4, 1868, married Cyrus Blue, and James S., married Anna Jeffries. During his residence of nearly thirty-five years in the State of Kansas, Mr. Ellison has gained an extensive acquaintance and ranks as one of the most respected citizens of Sumner county, where he is best known.