| John H. & Wilson C. Ely | |
|---|---|
| Practice information | |
| Founders | John H. Ely |
| Founded | 1885 |
| Dissolved | 1971 |
| Location | Newark, New Jersey |
| Website | |
| hummelarch | |
John H. & Wilson C. Ely was a father and son architectural firm based inNewark, New Jersey responsible for some of the more prominent buildings built in the city in the early 20th century, many in theClassical Revival style.
John H. Ely, a native ofPennsylvania, established an office in Newark in 1885.[1] In 1895 he was joined in partnership by his son, Wilson C. Ely.[2] John retired in the late 1920s and died in 1932.[3] Wilson continued the firm as a sole proprietor until 1958, when he formed the partnership of Ely & Campbell with John A. Campbell, a Scottish-born architect who had been employed by the Elys since 1910.[4] Wilson died the next year,[5] and Campbell continued the firm alone until his retirement circa 1971. He died in 1976.[6]
John Holcomb ElyAIA (June 13, 1851 – April 21, 1932) was born inNew Hope, Pennsylvania, to Matthias C. Ely, a carpenter and builder, and Keziah Ely, née Stackhouse. The family moved to New Jersey when he was young, and he was educated in the New Jersey public schools. He trained as an architect, and established himself in Newark in 1885.[1][3]
Ely was active inDemocratic Party politics and served on theNewark City Council during the 1890s. He later served on several city commissions and was a trustee of theNewark Public Library from 1909 to 1914 and of theNewark Museum from 1914 until his death. He was a member of theAmerican Institute of Architects (AIA), theNew Jersey Historical Society, theEssex Club, theWashington Association of New Jersey and the masons. Ely was married in 1871 to Lydia Helen Wilson. They had two children, Wilson C. Ely, later his business partner, and Ida M. Bemiss, née Ely. Ely died at home in Newark at the age of 80.[1][3]
Wilson Cowell ElyFAIA (May 29, 1873 – August 28, 1959), his son, was born inTrenton. He was educated in the Newark public schools and spent a four-year apprenticeship with Newark architect James H. Lindsley. He then worked as a draftsman for architects in Newark and New York City before becoming his father's partner.[7][2][5][8]
Ely was married in 1897 to Grace R. Chamberlain. They had two children, one son and one daughter. Ely was a member of the AIA and was a charter member of the New Jersey chapter in 1900. He was elected aFellow of the AIA in 1931. He died at home in Newark at the age of 86.[5][8]
The Elys were among the leading architects in Newark. Their major competitor wasFrank Grad and his sons. They designed a large number of civic and commercial buildings in the Newark area.[9] Wilson described his work as "conservatively modern" and at the time of his death Wilson was remembered as "a leader among America's conservative architects."[5]
At least four buildings designed by the Elys have been listed on the United StatesNational Register of Historic Places.
John H. Ely and Wilson C. Ely formed a well- known father-and-son Newark ... were responsible for the East Orange City Hall, the Morristown Memorial Hospital....
This Classical Revival style home was designed by New Jersey architect Wilson C. Ely for retired New York clergyman Rev. John J. Bridges. It was built in 1916 and renovated for professional office use in 1982. This was the first home built in Orlando with the highly academic Classical Revival style, showing symmetry and refinement.