I wasn't able to locate any information for Ellen online. The following historic events-of-interest occurred during Ellen's birth year in 1887:
Jan 4 - Thomas Stevens is 1st man to bicycle around the world (San Francisco to San Francisco)
Jan 28 - In a snowstorm at Fort Keogh, Montana, the world's largest snowflakes are reported, being 15 inches (38 cm) wide and 8 inches (20 cm) thick.
Jan 28 - Work begins on the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Feb 2 - In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, the first Groundhog Day is observed.
Feb 3 - To avoid disputed national elections, the US Congress creates Electoral Count Act
Feb 21 - Oregon becomes 1st US state to make Labor Day a holiday
Mar 3 - Anne Sullivan begins teaching 6 year old blind-deaf Helen Keller
Apr 10 - US President Abraham Lincoln's re-buried with his wife in Springfield, Illinois
May 2 - Hannibal Goodwin patents celluloid photographic film (used in Thomas Edison's Kinetoscope)
May 9 - Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show opens in London
May 23 - 1st transcontinental train arrives in Vancouver, British Columbia
Aug 2 - Rowell Hodge patents barbed wire
Sep 15 - Philadelphia celebrates 100th anniversary of US Constitution
Oct 11- A. Miles patents the elevator
Nov 30 - 1st indoor softball game in Chicago