| James Kellar | S. D. Kemp |
| Isaac Kellar | S. S. Kemp |
| Emanuel Keller | Daniel Klinck |
| Walter Kellogg | more to come... |
JAMES G. KELLAR.
No lad of active mind could grow to maturity upon a farm without becoming
acquainted with more than the rudiments of agriculture, and if his tastes led
him to the same line of work, he would push his investigations sufficiently to
be able to begin his career with a considerable degree of accurate and practical
knowledge. Such is the case with the subject of this sketch, who owns and
operates land on sections 16 and 21, Richwood Township, which has been his home,
except during a brief period, since his birth. It comprises one hundred and
eighty-five acres, on which he has erected good buildings, and where he is
pursuing a successful career as a farmer and dairyman.
John Kellar, the father of our subject, was born in Maryland, and married Esther
Calvin Frye, a native of Washington County, Pa. Immediately after their marriage
they settled in Peoria County, Ill., their location being now occupied by their
only son. Here they spent the remaining years of their lives, the husband dying
in 1849 and the widow surviving until 1881. They were the parents of four
children, our subject being the third and born April 27, 1844.
Young Kellar received a good education in the public schools, and amid the
peaceful surroundings of rural life grew to manhood. He has always been engaged
in the pursuit he now follows and lived upon the same farm, except when fighting
for his country on Southern battlefields and partaking of the other duties that
devolved upon a soldier. He enlisted in February, 1865, was enrolled in Company
A, Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, and served about eight months, when his strong
right arm was no longer needed and he was honorably discharged.
Mr. Kellar chose for his companion in life Miss Harriet C. Humason, with whom he
was united in marriage in Peoria City, April 5, 1870. She is a daughter of the
late Henry S. and Abigail (Dewey) Humason, who were old settlers in this county
and died here at a goodly age. She was born in this county, September 11, 1846,
received excellent home training from worthy parents, and a good education in
the public schools. She has borne her husband four children --- John G., Norman
H., Abigail and Charles. The last named died in infancy. John G. is a graduate
of the Peoria High School, having been valedictorian of his class, and is now
continuing his studies at Dartmouth College, which he entered in the fall of
1889.
Mr. Kellar has never sought office but takes a deep interest in the outcome of
political affairs, stanchly supporting the Republican party, whose principles he
thinks best suited to the needs of the nation. He manifests an abundance of
public spirit, is well informed on all topics of interest, and displays great
energy in the prosecution of any matter to which he puts his hand. He and his
estimable wife belong to the Baptist Church, in whose various good works they
are ever ready to bear a hand, and both take a deep interest in educational
matters. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Peoria, Illinois
(1890), pages 894 & 897, submitted by Gaile Thomas)
REV. ISAAC KELLAR was born in
February 6, 1789, near Hagerstown, Maryland. He was educated at Washington
College, Pennsylvania, and pursued his theological studies at Princeton, N.J. He
was licensed by the Carlisle Presbytery in 1818. In 1819, he was married to Miss
Margaret Schnebly, and settled in McConnelsburg, Pa, where he remained until
1824. For a short time after this he was co-pastor of a German Reformed Church
at Hagerstown, but in 1826 removed to Williamsport, Md., and lived there nine
years. In 1835 he started, by land, for the west, and reached Peoria in June.
The hardships of the trip had produced illness to himself and family, and he
could go no further for awhile; but, recovering his health, and being pleased
with the country, he concluded to make his home here, and soon after he bought a
quarter of section 16, in Richwoods Township, and began improvements thereon. He
organized the First Presbyterian Church of Peoria, and was for twelve years its
pastor, after which he remained upon his farm on account of failing health,
occasionally preaching in the neighboring churches of the county. On the 25th of
July 1867, after a short illness coming upon his long decline, he passed away,
and was buried in Springdale Cemetery. His wife survived him until the 28th of
August 1870. the remaining members of the family, consisting of three daughters
and two sons, are yet residing on the farm first purchased by their father,
where the Peoria & Rock Island railroad have made arrangements to establish a
station, to be called “Kellar,” about four miles northwest of Peoria.
The limits of such a sketch will not permit the mention
of many interesting incidents in the life of this revered pioneer, but we may
form some estimate of his character from the subjoined extract from The
Presbyterian: “He was a man of ability. His preaching was chiefly doctrinal, and
wholly extemporary. He was not only decided in his views, but inflexible. No
considerations of personal ease or emolument had influence to divert him from
what seemed to him to be the path of duty. He preached often and during many
years, at different points, with but little, if any, remuneration, counting it
all joy thus to testify his love for both his Master and the souls of men.”
(Atlas Map of
Peoria County, Illinois, 1873, page 78, submitted by Dan Grachek & wife)
EMANUEL
KELLER. In this gentleman Princeville has not only one of its most practical
and successful farmers, but also one of its most desirable citizens, who is a
conspicuous figure in the social, religious and political life of this part of
the county. As a veteran of the late war, in which he fought long and well, and
as an enterprising citizen of Peoria County, we are pleased to present his
biographical sketch and portrait on these pages.
The father of our subject, Flory Keller, was born in
Germany, and when three years of age accompanied his father to this country, his
mother having died in their native land. They settled in Pennsylvania, and Flory
was put out to strangers, being reared on a farm and early becoming
self-supporting. He lived in Little York, York County, Pa., and was there
occupied in agricultural pursuits until he removed to Ohio, and was engaged in
the same occupation among the pioneers of Richland and Stark Counties. He
remained there until 1841, and then coming to this State, located in the timber
in Essex Township, Stark County. He made his living by working for others there
until 1853, and then coming to Princeville Township, rented land for some years.
In 1856 he bought eighty acres, comprising the western part of the northeastern
quarter of section 10, which he improved from wild prairie into a
well-cultivated farm.
In the fall, of 1868 Mr. Keller sold that place, and
going to Doniphan County, Kan., purchased two hundred and forty acres of land,
where he located and was engaged in its improvement several years. He
subsequently removed to Phillips County and bought a claim, and made his title
clear; he finally disposed of it at an advance, and returned to Highland, Kan.,
and now lives retired with a son, he having reached the venerable age of
eighty-five years. He is in every way a worthy man, and has won the esteem of
all about him. He has always been a sturdy supporter of the Republican party.
The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Catherine Coleman, and she was
born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Christopher Coleman, a farmer and likewise a
native of the Keystone State. He was a pioneer of Ohio, and in 1841 removed to
Illinois, dying at a ripe old age. The mother of our subject is still living at
the age of seventy-five years. She belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and is firm in the faith.
The following is recorded of the twelve children born
to the parents of our subject: Eli was a member of the One Hundred and First
Illinois Infantry, enlisting in 1862, and serving faithfully until he gave up
his life for his country, in 1863, at Mission Creek; Andrew was a soldier in the
Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry, enlisting in 1862, and sacrificed his life in
the cause, having been mortally wounded at Kenesaw Mountain, and dying two days
afterward; Emanuel is the next in order of birth; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Lake,
resides in Phillips County, Kan.; Edmond, a resident of Abilene, Kan., and
County Coroner, enlisted in the Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry in 1862, and
served until honorably discharged on account of physical disability; he
subsequently re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth, one hundred day
regiment, and was afterward in Battery A, Second Illinois Light Artillery, until
the close of the war; W. H., a resident of Highland, Kan., enlisted in 1862, in
the Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry, and served until the close of the war; Levi
resides in Highland, Kan.; Alfred is a farmer in Phillips County, Kan.; Ezra A.
resides in Highland, Charles in Phillips County, and Samuel and David also in
Highland, that State.
The subject of this notice was born in Richland County,
Ohio, October 25, 1838, and was less than three years old when he accompanied
his parents to Illinois, coming by boat to Peoria. His first recollections are
of a pioneer home in Stark County, this State, where he lived until he was
twelve years old. His school advantages were limited, as he attended school but
a few months in his early boyhood. He remained at home with his parents until he
was twenty-one, and then engaged in working out by the month until he entered
the army. He watched the course of the war with patriotic ardor, and in August,
1862, volunteered for the defense of his country, enlisting in Company K,
Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry, which was mustered in at Peoria, and dispatched
to Louisville, Ky.. arriving there October 8. Mr. Keller took part in the battle
of Perrysville, Ky., and was in the various skirmishes around Nashville, the
battles of Franklin and Brentwood, and with his regiment in its various
encounters with the enemy in and around Murfreesboro. He engaged in the battle
of Chickamauga, and was at Mission Ridge. From there he and his comrades went to
Knoxville, thence returned to Chattanooga, and in the spring of 1864 accompanied
Sherman on his Georgia campaign.
Our subject was wounded by a minie ball at the battle
of Buzzard's Roost, the ball lodging in the right arm above the elbow, and on
May 10 he was sent to the field hospital, and thence to Jeffersonville, Ind.,
where he remained until July. In that month he joined his regiment at the front,
and fought well in the battles of Atlanta and Jonesboro, and then followed
Forrest to Florence, Ala., and did good service in the Florence expedition.
Returning to Atlanta the next day, he started on the famous march to the sea,
and from Savannah went northward through the Carolinas and at the battle of
Averysboro his brave conduct won him deserved promotion to the position of
Corporal. He fought in the battle of Bentonville, and marched on to Raleigh with
his regiment, proceeded to Washington by the way of Richmond, and took part in
the Grand Review. He was mustered out as Corporal, and discharged at Chicago,
June 27, 1865, having proved throughout his whole course in camp and on the
field that he possessed true soldierly qualities. In the fight at Buzzard's
Roost a spent ball hit him on the right shoulder, and another grazed his check
and drew blood. In the second battle of Buzzard's Roost he was wounded badly in
the arm. After his long and hard experience of a military life our subject
returned to Princeville, and quietly resumed the life of a civilian, and was
engaged in working out until the spring of 1866. He then rented a farm in
Princeville, then in Akron Township, for three years, and subsequently farmed
near Duncan for two years. In 1872 he located on his present place, and in 1885
purchased eighty acres on section 10, placing that tract under substantial
improvement. He raises and sells cattle of fine grades, and has full-blooded
Poland-China hogs, and good horses, using three teams to operate his farm.
Mr. Keller was first married in Princeville, March 21,
1866, to Miss Eunice A. Perkins, who was born in Connecticut and came here with
her parents. Their wedded life was a happy one, and was brought to a close by
her death in 1875. She was the mother of three children: Forest E., a tonsorial
artist in Princeville; Morris W., at home with his father; and a child who died
in infancy. Mr. Keller was married to his present estimable wife, formerly Miss
Marian Fallow, in January, 1878, the wedding ceremony taking place in
Manchester. Conn. Mrs. Keller was born in Scotland, and came to America when a
child with her father, John Fallow. She was reared in Connecticut, and when a
young lady learned the manufacture of silk in the factories. She was married in
Manchester to Addison A. Dart, and had one child by that marriage, Addison A.
Dart, who lives with her and our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Keller have four children
living: Wilder H., Geneva, Riley and an infant named Jennie. Their son John died
at the age of three years.
Mr. Keller is in every way worthy of the high
estimation set upon his value by the community, as a noble, true-hearted, loyal
Christian gentleman, in whom his fellow-citizens may place implicit trust.
Forethought, sagacity and clear discernment, combined with a due sense of honor
and honesty, are prominent traits of his character, and by these he has placed
himself on a sound financial basis among the substantial citizens of the
township and county. He is a member of the Princeville Methodist Episcopal
Church, of which he is at present Trustee, and the sincerity of his faith is
betokened by his work. He is prominent in local politics, a stalwart among the
Republicans, and has been Delegate to county conventions. He was School Director
for three terms, and is at present Commissioner of Highways, serving his fourth
term in this office. He is identified with the Princeville I. O. O. F. as Past
Noble. He is an important member of the Frenche Post, G. A. R., of which he is
Past Commander, and he was present at the St. Louis and Columbus encampments.
(Portrait & Biographical Album of Peoria, Illinois (1890), pages
949-951, submitted by Janine Crandell)
WALTER R. KELLOGG was born in Weathersfield, Hartford county, Connecticut, August 14th, 1827. He is the son of Philo and Nancy Kellogg. Philo Kellogg removed to Onondaga county, New York, and afterwards to Cayahuga county, Ohio, and came to Peoria county, Illinois, in 1845, and settled at Brimfield, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1854. He owned considerable property in Brimfield, which at his death fell to his nine children. Walter Kellogg sold his share of the property in 1857, went to Rosefield, and settled on the farm where he is now lives. He was married in 1856 to Cecelia P. Moore, daughter of Dr. T. J. Moore, of Elmwood, by whom he had three children—Clarence W., Eva C., and Lena M. Kellogg. They are well brought up and will make their parents happy in future years. Mr. Kellogg has over two hundred and fifty acres of land, situated in Elmwood and Rosefield townships. It is well improved. Mr. Kellogg has held many offices of trust in Rosefield; he now holds the office of Treasurer, and is much thought of by the people. (Atlas Map of Peoria County, Illinois, 1873, page 82, submitted by Susan Hare)
