Ellis was born near Hannibal, Missouri, on February 11, 1870, but spent most of his life in Clinton County.

Ellis was a prolific writer, writing 26 works (primarily historical romances) which appeared in book form, besides numerous serials of book length which were published by national magazines.

[2] His novel, Fran, was on the best seller list in America, and made into the 1919 film The Love Hunger.

His romances were pithy and understated, artfully avoiding the affectations and pretensions of many of his contemporaries.

He died at his home in New Cordell, Oklahoma, on April 2, 1956, and was buried at Greenlawn Cemetery in Plattsburg.