Jesse Ellis
Jesse Ellis (1846-1916) of Jesse Ellis and Co
1846 April 14th. Born at Cranbrook, Kent the son of George who ran a small agricultural contracting business
1861 Living at Hastings Road, Pembury, Kent (age 14). With parents George (age 37 born Hawkhurst), Steam Lawyer, and Elizabeth (age 37) and their children. [1] [2]
1864 Working for Aveling and Porter
Married Mary Mosely
1873 Partnership with Arthur Fremlin, a local brewer and traded as Jesse Ellis and Co
1881 Living at 23 Union Street, Maidstone (age 34 born Cranbrook), Traction Engine Proprietor. With wife Mary A. (age 31) and children Edith A. (age 10), Minnie K. (age 8), Jesse (age 6), Arthur W. (age 4), Mabel M. (age 2) and Isabel (age 1 month). Three servants [3]
1891 Living at Scraces House, Barming, Kent (age 44 born Cranbrook, Kent), Traction Engine Proprietor. With wife Mary Ann (age 40) and children Edith Amy (age 20); Minnie Kate (age 17); Jesse (age 16), Mechanical Engineer's Assistant; Arthur Walter (age 14); Mabel Mary (age 12); Ethel Daisy (age 7) and May Isabel (age 5). Also two visitors. [4]
1901 Living at 68 London Road, East, Maidstone (age 54 born Cranbrook, Kent), Managing Director and Employer. With wife May Ann (age 50) and children Minnie Kate (age 27), Ethel Daisy (age 19) and Mary Isabel (age 15). Two servants. [5]
1916 Q4. Died in Lambeth area aged 70. [6]
1917 Obituary [7]
JESSE ELLIS was born at Cranbrook, Kent, on 14th April 1846.
He received his engineering training of five years with the firm of Messrs. Aveling and Porter, Rochester, and, on leaving them at the age of twenty-three, started in business for himself.
From 1871 he was the managing partner of the firm of Jesse Ellis and Co., engineers and boiler makers, Invicta Works, Maidstone, where he made a specialty of traction engines, and brought out a steam motor-wagon with special fire-tube boilers. This wagon be personally introduced into Egypt in 1902, and was complimented by the Sirdar, Sir Reginald Wingate, on its success.
He was one of the founders of the Royal Automobile Club, and a Member of the Royal Agricultural Society, and of the Bath and West of England Show. He was also one of the founders of the National Traction Engine and Owners' Association, and a Vice-President of that body at the time of his death; for a great many years be did constant and most useful work in connexion with heavy road haulage.
For twenty-five years he was a member of the West Kent Yeomanry, and retired when holding the post of Farrier Major.
His death took place, after a long illness, on 17th October 1916, at the age of seventy.
He became an Associate Member of this Institution in 1898, and a Member in 1904.