1856 Birth:1858 Birth year of 1856 estimated from age (4 years) in 1860 U.S. census. Mother Ellen Norah (or Eleanor) died about the same time, perhaps during child birth.

1860 U.S. Census:1858 Ellen enumerated in the household of her grandmother Ann Patterson in Burlington Township, Licking County, Ohio as female Ellen, age 4, born in Ohio. Ellen’s father, Jordon, was a widower in 1860.

1870 U.S. Census:2452 Ellen enumerated in the household of her uncle Addison Patterson and grandmother Ann Patterson in Burlington Township, Licking County, Ohio as a female, age 14, white, at school, born in Ohio, attended school within the year. Aunts Maria, Ruinda, and Malinda were living in the household as was half-sister Mary Emma Patterson, age 6, daughter of Jurdon Patterson and his second wife Mary A. Warner.

1880 U.S. Census:2105 Ellen enumerated in the household of her grandmother Ann Patterson in Burlington Township, Licking County, Ohio as female, age 23, born in Ohio.