He was born in Rowan County , North Carolina .
John Willis Ellis ( November 23 , 1820 -- July 7 , 1861 ) was the 35th Governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina from 1859 to 1861 .
John Willis Ellis was born in Rowan County , North Carolina .
John Willis Ellis ( November 23 , 1820 -- July 7 , 1861 ) was the 35th Governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina from 1859 to 1861 .