J. Ellis Rodley
John Ellis Rodley (February 2, 1852 – December 2, 1919) was the fourteenth President of the Chico Board of Trustees, the governing body of Chico, California from 1897 to 1899.
John Ellis Rodley | |
|---|---|
| 14th President of the Board of Trustees of Chico, California | |
| In office 1897 – 1899[1] | |
| Preceded by | Frederick C. Williams |
| Succeeded by | Oliver L. Clark |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 1, 1852[2] Galashiels, Selkirkshire, Scotland[2] |
| Died | December 2, 1919 (aged 67) Butte County, California |
| Resting place | Chico Cemetery, Chico, California |
| Political party | Republican [2] |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Elizabeth Rodley (m. April 24, 1893)[3] |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Lebanon, Missouri,[2] Chico, California |
| Alma mater | Missouri Medical College (1881)[2] |
| Occupation | Physician, surgeon |
He was born February 2, 1852, in Galashiels, Selkirkshire, Scotland, the son of Edward Rodley and Sarah Ellis.[2] His father Edward was a manufacturer of wool.[2] His mother Sarah died in Scotland.[2] The family emigrated to the United States in about 1868, and settled in Lebanon, Missouri.[2]
Although, he was still very young at the time, John began his study of medicine under Dr. Hugh Falconer in Scotland.[2] He continued his studies in America at Missouri Medical College (also called McDowell Medical College) in St. Louis from where he was graduated in 1881.[2]
He began to practice medicine in Lebanon, where he resided until 1884.[2] He moved to St. Louis, where he continued his practice for four more years, where he was on the Missouri Pacific Hospital, the railroad hospital.[2] He also served as surgeon for the Missouri Pacific Railroad.[2] In 1888, Dr. Rodley left Missouri for California and located in Chico.[2]
In Chico, he practiced medicine, and served on the Chico Board of Trustees, and as its President. He owed four farms, where he raised grains, fruits and nuts.[2]
In 1899, Rodley was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of perjury in the witnessing of a forged will offered for probate.[4][5] He was granted parole in 1906.[6]
References
- City Clerk's Office, City of Chico, Roster of Chico City Council Members
- George C. Mansfield, History of Butte County, California, pp. 730-731 (1918)
- "California, County Marriages, 1850-1952," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K8Z6-VKJ : accessed 23 Apr 2014), John Ellis Rodley and Mary Elizabeth Rodley, 24 Apr 1893; citing p. 547, Butte, California, United States; FHL microfilm 1299186.
- Reports of cases determined in the Supreme Court of the state of California
- The Pacific Reporter, Volume 63
- Journal of the Senate and Assembly
| Preceded by Frederick C. Williams |
President of the Board of Trustees of Chico, California 1897–1899 |
Succeeded by Oliver L. Clark |