In the early 1850's, the Ellis family moved to the Vinton area. Cornelius and Hoyt Ellis engaged in the contracting and erecting of buildings. In 1864, Cornelius and Hoyt founded Ellis Brothers Lumberyard. Hoyt soon left the Vinton area and Cornelius and his son, W.C., founded a partnership as C. Ellis and Son, in 1875.
L.J. McDowell came to Vinton in 1929 and was hired to manage the lumberyard. L.J. bought into the business in 1935. A partnership was created in 1938 with L.J. McDowell and Ard Hoyt Ellis, grandson of founder W.C. Ellis, to form Ellis McDowell Lumber Company. In September of 1951, a 1/4 block of the lumberyard burned to the ground.
L.J. McDowell came to Vinton in 1929 and was hired to manage the lumberyard. L.J. bought into the business in 1935. A partnership was created in 1938 with L.J. McDowell and Ard Hoyt Ellis, grandson of founder W.C. Ellis, to form Ellis McDowell Lumber Company. In September of 1951, a 1/4 block of the lumberyard burned to the ground.
