William Ellis (Newfoundland politician)

The Honourable William Ellis MHA MLC
Minister without portfolio
In office 1918 – April 17, 1926 (1926-04-17)
Prime Minister	William F. Lloyd Michael Cashin Richard Squires William Warren Walter Monroe
Member of the Legislative Council of Newfoundland
In office 1917 – April 17, 1926 (1926-04-17)
Appointed by	Edward Morris
3rd Mayor of St. John's, Newfoundland
In office June 27, 1910 (1910-06-27) – July 1, 1914 (1914-07-01)
Preceded by	Michael Gibbs
Succeeded by	William Gosling (post-municipal commission)
Member of the Newfoundland House of Assembly for Ferryland
In office October 31, 1904 (1904-10-31) – May 8, 1909 (1909-05-08) Serving with Michael Cashin
Preceded by	James D. Ryan
Succeeded by	Philip F. Moore
St. John's City Councillor
In office June 19, 1902 (1902-06-19) – June 27, 1910 (1910-06-27)
Personal details
Born	William James Ellis (1857-07-09)July 9, 1857 St. John's, Newfoundland Colony
Died	April 17, 1926(1926-04-17) (aged 68) New York City, New York, U.S.
Party	Liberal
Occupation	Contractor

William James Ellis (July 9, 1857 – April 17, 1926) was a building contractor and political figure in Newfoundland. He represented Ferryland in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1904 to 1909 as a Liberal. Ellis was the third mayor of St. John's from 1910 to 1914.

Biography

He was born in St. John's and apprenticed as a stonemason with his father. Ellis later established his own contracting and construction business and also operated a quarry. His company rebuilt a number of buildings in St. John's following the Great Fire of 1892. He served as a member of the city council for St. John's from 1902 to 1910. He was defeated when he ran for reelection to the Newfoundland assembly in 1909 and 1913. Ellis was named to the Legislative Council in 1917 and served until 1926; he served as a minister without portfolio in the Executive Council from 1918 to 1926. He died in New York City at the age of 68 while returning from a winter holiday in California.