NNP

James William Ellsworth

Biography

Born in Hudson, Ohio. Married to Eva Francis Butler November 4, 1874. She died in 1888. Their son was Lincoln Ellsworth. They also had a daughter. James married Julia M. Fincke April 22, 1895. She died in 1921. He was the owner and operator of coal mines. He was a multi-millionaire with extensive business interests. Ellsworth was a promoter of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and member of the Board. He received the first commemorative halves struck by the Mint. He served on the Assay Commission for 1894.

He exhibited a few choice coins at the ANS in 1914 including:

Nova Constellatio Mark of 1783

Nova Constellatio First Quint

Nova Constellatio Second Quint

Nova Constellatio Cent Brasher Doubloon 1804

Silver Dollar, the Stickney Specimen

1804 Silver Dollar, the Rosenthal Specimen

The collection was sold to Wayte Raymond for $100,000 via the Kneedler syndicate. Half the money came from John Work Garrett who selected coins from the collection including the Brasher Doubloon.

Ellsworth maintained homes on Park Avenue in New York City and in Switzerland. He died at his villa, Palmieri, near Florence, Italy. His health may have been affected by the disappearance of his son.

bio: NCAB 26 (photo); WWWA-1 obit: NUM 38 Jul 1925 page 373