Samuel Milton Ellis (1874-1956) was the son of silversmith George Ellis and his wife, Priscilla. George was described as a spoon and fork filer, of Alexandra Road, when he died in 1887, aged 48. He was buried in an unconsecrated grave in City Road Cemetery. Samuel, like his brothers Benjamin and George, would follow his father’s trade. By 1911, Samuel was a filer of electro-plate cutlery, working on his own account, and living at Woodseats Road.  In the interwar years, Samuel was listed as a manufacturer of electro-plated cutlery in Rockingham Street.

However, in 1930 Samuel for bankruptcy.  In 1939, he described his occupation as ‘EP [electro-plate] odd worker.  Heavy worker’ (Register of England & Wales, 1939).  In 1944, he applied successfully for discharge from bankruptcy.  His address was Carver Street; though he also operated Ellis & Co at Eldon Street.  In the Shef-field directory 1951, S. M. Ellis & Co, electro-plate cutlery manufacturer, was listed at 111 Eldon Street; Samuel M. Ellis was an electro-plate manufacturer at 1a Sarah Street.  In 1952, S. M. Ellis & Co Ltd advertised at SMECO Works, Sarah Street.  The trade mark ‘SMECO’ was registered for cutlery, spoons, and forks.  In 1956, Samuel M.  Ellis died, aged 81, at Glenorchy Road and was buried at Abbey Lane Cemetery on 2 June.  Seven years later his former firm was struck off the register.