Calvin Ellis was born in Boston, the son of Luther Ellis, a prominent iron merchant, who married his cousin, Betsey Ellis. The Ellis family of which he was a member originally came from Essex, England, and settled in Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1634. Calvin Ellis was brought up in an atmosphere of liberality and independence of thought; his family were cultured and well-to-do.
He commanded the first cavalry division and engaged in reinforcing General Burnside in East Tennessee. He was appointed chief of cavalry, Army of the Cumberland, engaged in the Atlanta campaign and in the pursuit of the Confederate General Hood. In December 1864, he was assigned to the command of the 2nd Division, IV Corps, and participated in the battles around Nashville. He was in command of the District of Kansas from August 1865 to March 1, 1866, when he was mustered out of the volunteer service. He was promoted lieutenant-colonel, 16t Cavalry, August 31, 1866; colonel 3rd Cavalry, April 4, 1878; and retired from active service March 20, 1879. During the war, General Elliott won five brevets for distinguished conduct, the last of which was major-general, United States Army. After his retirement from the army he became vice-president of the California Safe Deposit & Trust Company, and while attending to his duties in the offices of the company, was suddenly stricken with heart disease, from which he died.
was a director of a number of charitable institutions in San Francisco
He was a soldier of ability, affable, respected and esteemed by his associates, and very popular with his men. He gave much of his time to helping others, and was a director of a number of charitable institutions in San Francisco.
