Colonel Ellsworth has been an avid coin collector since the age of six. He began buying and selling coins and collections on a part time basis in the early 80's. His Civil war interests were sparked when he studied the Civil War battles as a student at the US Army's Command and Staff College. After graduating from the National War College in Washington, DC he developed a small following giving Civil War Battlefield tours. When he returned to Pentagon in 1994 from oversees active duty with the US Army, he began his full time business in his two favorite fields of study as the Butternut Company. The name was coined from both the coin world and Civil war. It was used to describe a desirable color of an Early American copper coin, as well as the color of the Confederate uniforms during the Civil War.

COL Ellsworth is a most personable and knowledgeable Civil War historic guide tour. His interest and perspective are unique in that he holds diplomas from the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, the National War College in Washington, D.C. and the National Defense University. His personal library includes over 400 Civil War books. He is a descendant of Colonel Elmer Ellsworth, the first Union officer killed in the War. He routinely conducts tours for the most senior levels of the US government. His broad perspective offers valuable insights into tactical, strategic and political aspects of the Civil War.

COL Ellsworth is a life member of: The American Numismatic Association, The American Numismatic Society, The Virginia Numismatic Association, The Maryland State Numismatic Association, The Tennessee State Numismatic Society, the Georgia Numismatic Association, the Alabama Numismatic Society, the South Carolina Numismatic Association, the Blue Ridge Numismatic Association, the Civil War Token Society, The National War College and the Army War College. He currently serves as the American Numismatic Association's Regional Coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic States, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Numismatic Association.

He currently resides in Virginia with his wife Gale and their two dogs, Jake and Jasmine, along with their cat Awesome.