Ellis Lloyd & Milo Black
Ellis Lloyd was born in Merionethshire, North Wales in 1859. He came with his parents at an early age to America, who settled among several families of Welsh friends at Nelson, New York. He worked as a stone mason, his father's profession, for several years. He married Laura Ann Jones in 1889 and made their home on a small New York farm which Ellis purchased. Their first child, Edith, who would die at the age of eight, was born in New York.
In 1891, Ellis and his brother-in-law, Owen G. Jones, decided to see a bit of western United States and set forth on a trip to Seattle, WA. On the way they stopped in Williamsburg to visit friends who had been neighbors in New York. Ellis spent some time in Seattle where he visited and worked until the latter part of August. On the return trip he once again stopped in Williamsburg. Ellis worked for George McCloud, a Williamsburg farmer until starting his return trip home on Christmas Day in 1891. The following spring, April of 1892, he moved his family to Williamsburg. Once again
Ellis Lloyd's Livery Stable
(man in front is not Ellis)
Ellis worked for George McCloud at a rate of a dollar per day through the summer of 1892 at which time he, along with partner John Lewis, purchased a tract of land along with a livery stable in Williamsburg (a city bldg just west of the current bowling alley). He partnered with Lewis for four years at which time Ellis bought his share. In 1900 he went into partnership with Dade Holden when added the buying and selling of horses to the business and continued in such until selling the business in 1923. Holden would run the livery and Ellis would buy and sell horses. In 1905 Ellis built the largest livery stable Williamsburg ever had. There was room for 100 head of horses. Eventually Ellis sold his livery business to a Mr. Hinder but continued to deal in the buying and selling of horses. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Lloyd and Milo Black, who I think was Ellis’ business partner and “driver” for years, moved to Canada in 1923 where they purchased and operated a farm. They lived there for 15 years and then returned to Williamsburg.
Williamsburg Silver Band
Organized June 4, 1894. Bottom: Jack Jones, ?, Leighton Morse, Art Lewis, Walter Cook, Arthur Williams. Middle: Will L Jones, Joe Yates, Ray Mayne, Lenord Davis, Lew Edwards, Walter Evans, Ellis Lloyd, Elisha Schooley. Top: Will Jenkins, Harry Carmichal, Rollo Wilson, ?, Milton Jones, Leo Kinney, Ed Butler
Choral Group Director Ellis Lloyd (Ellis posed at bottom row)
(please help identify the member of the chorus)
During all these years music was Mr. Lloyd’s very special hobby. He was a natural musician although he had never taken a music lesson. He directed many church, 4-H and community choirs. For 20 years he directed the Williamsburg Choral Union which competed in the annual Welsh Eisteddfod, and for many years won awards, prizes and medals in competition with much larger towns such as Des Moines, Albia and Ottumwa. They won the competition all but one year. Ellis was one of the first Boy Scout leaders in Williamsburg. Ellis was active in the Presbyterian church of Williamsburg where he served as Trustee, Elder, Sunday School Teacher, Choir Director and many other committees.
Ellis died January 7th, 1954. (Sadly I was only three and never was able to meet the man) Ellis and his wife Laura were the parents of Edith, Dr. J. Meredith Lloyd and Veda Rainwater.
Williamsburg City Square (late 1800's)
Greeters for Hugh Henderson and Miss Thompson returning
from honeymoon - from_Hank_Zimplemann
(Ellis Llyod is one of the trumpeters)