Son of George Ellis, appointed bandmaster of Darwen Rifle Volunteers on 10th March 1866. Taught other bands including Accrington Volunteers, Haslingden Volunteers, Tottington, Blackburn Borough, Burnley, Nelson, Trawden, Ramsbottom, Saltaire, Stalybridge Old, Guide Temperance, St Georges Preston, Mill Hill Temperance, and Whalley.