We found some nice photos in the Historical Society archives, browsed through our genealogy society pictures and identified the house as the one that still stands at 1328 W. Daugherty St. It was originally the home of John and Elizabeth Ellis.

John W. Ellis was born April 18, 1858, in Nashville, Tenn. He married Elizabeth “Lizzie” Rawlings on Jan. 15, 1879, in Johnson County, Mo. Elizabeth was born July 16, 1860, in the same county. 

John and Elizabeth were living in Webb City on East Campbell Street by 1900, where his occupation is listed as real estate. Two daughters, Taressa and Cloia were living at the home. Taressa, age 18, is listed as a music teacher, and Cloia, age 8, is at school. Another daughter, Lenna Mock Ellis, had married James Barbour Gibson on Nov. 29, 1899.

Taressa Ellis married Harry J. Richards on July 31, 1902, at Carterville. They were the parents of one child, Earnest Richards.

Taressa died in 1907 at the age of 25, she is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery. 

By 1910, John and Elizabeth Ellis were living at their home at 1328 West Daugherty. Their son-in-law, Harry, and grandson Earnest were also living in the home.

John’s occupation on the 1910 census is listed as mine operator. At this time, James Barbour and Lenna Gibson were living next door at 1322 W. Daugherty St. James’ occupation is listed as a mine owner.

Cloria Ellis married Oscar L. Burk on May 31, 1923. In 1930, Cloia is living at her parents’ home at 1328 W. Daugherty. Her two daughters, Rosamond and Barbara Burk, are also living there. Barbara Burk died at the age of 7 in 1934 and is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery. 

John W. Ellis died on April 9, 1936, at the age of 77. His obituary states that he was a pioneer Webb City real estate dealer. He was also the director of the Merchants and Miners Bank. Elizabeth Ellis died on May 25, 1941, at the age of 80.

Both John and Elizabeth are buried at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Lenna Ellis Gibson died on Jan. 19, 1959, she was still living at her home at 1322 W. Daugherty, next to her parents’ home.

Her husband, James Barbour Gibson had died a few weeks before on Jan. 1, 1959. Both are buried at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Cloia Ellis Burk died on Aug. 15, 1959, at the age of 65. Her daughter Rosamond Burk Merker wrote her college thesis, “The First Twenty-five Years of Webb City, Missouri: The Town That Jack Built.” We published parts of this thesis in the last few printed issues of the Webb City Sentinel.

At our monthly meeting of the Webb City Area Genealogical Society Tuesday evening, members recalled the house was referred to as the Merker house until Rosamond Merker moved. Her husband had died, and she remarried Oscar Andersen.

Ralph and Helen Costley were the succeeding owners of the house.

In recent years, current owners Carolyn and Galen Foat have restored the house.