Addison's law practice letterhead from a (waterstained) 1914 letter to his son, Hiram
"Elycroft", the family home in Rutherford, New Jersey, where Addison and Emily raised their family
Photo circa 1940 and courtesy of Meadowlands Museum
Addison Ely
1853-1928
Addison Ely was born at Westfield, Massachusetts in 1853. He was educated at Phillips Exeter, and admitted to the New Jersey Bar in February, 1888. He was engaged in the individual practice of law from 1888 until his death in March, 1928, and had his office at Rutherford, New Jersey.
He was a Congressional candidate in 1896. He was a member of the National Guard, and served as a Captain, United States Volunteers, Spanish American War in 1898. He was a member of County, and State Bar Associations, and a Mason.
He married Emily Johnson, and they were the parents of eleven children. He and his family resided at 230 Meadow Road, Rutherford, New Jersey.[1]
Father: William Ely (1817-1886)
Mother: Emeline Letitia Harrison (1818-1862)
Spouse: Emily Jane Johnson (1856-1949)
Children:
- Addison Ely, Jr. (1875-1920)
- Abigail Mabel Ely (1881-1970)
- Jared Sandford Ely (1884-1885)
- Seth Harrison Ely (1884-1927)
- Sandford Dana Ely (1886-1979)
- Emily Emeline Ely (1888-1976)
- Clara Harrison Ely (1890-1977)
- William Harvey Ely (1891-1942)
- Leon Abbett Ely (1893-1970)
- Hiram Baldwin Ely (1896-1987)
- James Samuel Thomas Stranahan Ely (1898-1963)
Timeline
-
1853
May 23 - Born in Westfield, Massachusetts. The 8th of ten children of William and Emeline (nee Harrison) Ely.
-
1862
Aged 8 - His mother dies. His father moves the family to Bloomfield, New Jersey.
-
1865
March 8 - His father marries Nancy Harrison, the sister of Addison's deceased mother.
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1871
Becomes a teacher in the Union Public School, Union County, New Jersey.
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1873
Becomes first principal of Caldwell High School, Essex County, New Jersey.
-
1874
December 28 - Marries Emily Johnson in Union, New Jersey.
-
1875
November 26 - Son Addison Jr born.
-
1879
Moves to Rutherford, New Jersey, to take up position of Principal of Rutherford High School (the old Park Avenue school).
-
1881
April 15 - Daughter Abigail born.
-
1884
October 10 - Twin sons Jared and Seth born.
-
1885
July 9 - Son Jared dies aged 9 months.
-
1886
June 12 - Son Dana born.
-
1886
Resigns as school Principal to study law.
-
1888
February - Admitted to the New Jersey Bar.
-
1888
September 2 - Daughter Emily born.
-
1890
March 26 - Daughter Clara born.
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1891
September 18 - Son Harvey born.
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1893
November 25 - Son Leon born.
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1896
Nominated for Congress in New Jersey's Fifth District.
-
1896
March 1 - Son Hiram born.
-
1898
October 17 - Son James born.
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1900
Elected delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Kansas City, and later nominated one of the presidential electors on the Democratic ticket.
-
1920
January 29 - Son Addison Jr dies aged 44.
-
1924
May - Retires from actively practicing law.
-
1927
November 19 - Son Seth dies aged 43.
-
1928
March 14 - Dies in Rutherford, New Jersey, aged 74 years.
Stories
March 1916
A Letter Home
August 30, 1917
Ely Family Portrait
Addison Ely with his son Hiram at Niagra Falls, ca 1900
Footnotes and Sources
- [1] Bench and Bar of New Jersey, 1942, San Francisco, 1942, p 228.
Last updated: 28 July 2026