HON. ALFRED ELY
Alfred Ely was horn in Lyme, Connecticut, on the fifteenth of February
1815. He completed his education at Bacon academy, New London County
in that State where he had for a classmate the late Chief Justice Morrison
R. Waite of the United States Supreme bench. In 1836 Mr. Ely
came to Rochester and began his legal studies in the office of Smith &
Rochester, one of the most eminent law firms in the State. As a student
Mr. Ely was patient and persevering and mastered the principles of his
profession with great care. In 1841 he was admitted to the bar, and
in a comparatively short time built up a large practice. As Attorney
of the New York Central and Hudson River railroad, and of the Buffalo and
Rochester Railroad companies, he was very successful. He was also
attorney for many extensive firms doing business in the metropolis. He
excelled in a high degree as an office lawyer, showing great familiarity
with the rules of practice was studious and accurate in the mastery
of a case, and as a pleader was one of the most skillful. In 1858 Mr. Ely
represented this district in the Thirty-sixth Congress and enjoyed the
honor of having his political career endorsed by a re-election in the famous
campaign of 1860. Mr. Ely's services to his country during the Rebellion,
in respect to the raising of troops, added to which was his deep interest
in the Northern soldiers and the success of the Union cause, cannot be
too highly appreciated. At the first battle of Bull Run he was present
in person to aid in the Union cause and was taken prisoner1,
and for nearly six months was subjected to severe cruelty in Libby prison.
While there he was indefatleable in his efforts to alleviate the suffering
of his fellow prisoners. Subsequently he rendered valuable service
to the Union cause in the publication of his well-known book, Journal
of Alfred Ely, A Prisoner of war in Richmond, This work, pleasing in
style and intensely interesting, had a large circulation and served in
a great measure to mitigate the harshness with which prisoners of war had
previously been treated. In 1862 Mr. Ely resumed the practice of
his profession in Rochester, and continued it until a few weeks prior to
his decease. Mr. Ely's home on Plymouth avenue was one of the most
attractive in the city and here his widow, Mrs. Ely, continues to reside.
His library was one of the most extensive and valuable in Western New York,
while his taste in literature was one of the most cultivated. As a public
speaker Mr. Ely was forcible and fluent, and as a writer he was able and
graceful. His friends were numberless and his charities and good
deeds many and far-reaching, while as a husband and parent he possessed
the rarest virtues. In early years Mr. Ely married Caroline L., daughter
of Joseph Field, Esq., a former mayor of Rochester. Mr. Ely died
May 18, 1892, and his remains were laid at rest a few days later in the
beautiful Ely mausoleum at Mt. Hope.
Biographical Sketch from 'Rochester and the Post Express' 1895
1 A modern view of the statement "he was present in person
to aid in the Union cause" is needed. As was the prevaling notion of the
day Mr. Ely felt that the misguided southern boys would be slapped around
a bit by the herioc Federal Forces, shown the error of their ways, and
the 'rebellion' would be taken care of. The ladies and gentlemen of Washington
perpared picnic lunches and took the short carriage ride to the scene of
the confrontation. Unfortiunately the battle was a Union rout, and when
federal forces fled the battleground Mr. Ely's party was overtaken by the
pursuing forces, and he was captured.
