Born in Sheffield in 1828, Charles Ellis was the son of Isaac Ellis, a table knife cutler in Hollis Croft, and his wife Mary.  By 1854, he was based in Norfolk Street/Sycamore Street as a spoon and fork manufacturer.  In the 1860s, his products (which later included knives) were electro-plated.  Presumably, it was a small business and not until 1893 did Ellis register a silver mark (CE & Co) from Norfolk Street.  He died, aged 71, at Beech Hill Road on 16 April 1899.  He was buried in Ecclesall, leaving £35,537.  A brief press obituary noted that he was the brother of Isaac Ellis, the Corporation auctioneer.  The mark passed to Thomas Ellin.