Kellogg, Josephine

KELLOGG

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/19/2019 at 07:02:00

Josephine Kellogg

"Biographical and Historical Record of
Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa"
(Lewis Publishing Company (1887)) Pp. 372-73.

In writing this entirely inadequate sketch of her, we do it with a very strange beginning in applying to her the sobriquet bequeathed the to the famous French Marechal NEY, “L’ enfant gate de la victorie,” – The spoiled child of victory, - then glory and victory were the true concomitant followers of JOSEPHINE KELLOGG at every step and on every path of her life. JOSEPHINE KELLOG was the first white child born in Garden Grove, Decatur County, Iowa. She received a splendid home education followed by a thorough course of instruction at the Garden Grove High School, finishing her education at college, and everywhere stood at the head of her class, taking high honors in her classes. She became a most successful assistant teacher under Professor HARKNESS at the Garden Grove High School, and so great was her well-earned renown through the whole county, and far beyond its limits, that students came from every part of the county to the Garden Grove High School to enjoy the benefits of instruction and training of its excellent teachers. Besides all other qualities so firmly established were her moral and religious character, her thrift, her energies, interwoven with soft, pleasant and mild amiability, gaining for her far-famed popularity, that at an incoming election she was unanimously nominated, and then elected first lady county superintendent of public instruction in Decatur County, which office she retained for two terms, establishing a new era in the efficiency of this office which she so admirably filled, to the utmost satisfaction of the people, and of the teachers and pupils of the county. On account of failing health, after two terms of office she not only retired from office but had to removed to the South in search of milder climate; but JOSEPHINE, in her high-minded, noble character, could not live only for herself. She connected this self-imposed exile from her native soil with a noble missionary work, teaching and educating the poor, forsaken and forlorn colored children, far down South across Dixie’s line, and is now a teacher in Tougallo College, near Jackson, Mississippi. Since going South JOSEPHINE has occasionally visited her relatives and numerous friends in Iowa. She was present at the first reunion of old settlers, held in August, 1886, at Garden Grove, and delivered the oration of the day, to the greatest delight and admiration of the whole crowed, consisting of many thousands of people, the elite of Decatur County. In the October number of the North American Review there is an article written by the graceful pen of ABIGAIL HAMILTON, headed “The American Queen,” in which the life and works of ZILPAH P. GRANT-BANSTER, the greatest American school-teacher is so delightfully given. We do not know if JOSEPHINE took ZILPAH for her beau ideal, but we know that she fully followed her footsteps, and if any of the lady teachers of the county will reach ZILPAH it is, and will be for ever, JOSEPHINE KELLOG.

Photograph courtesy of Decatur County Historical Society Museum

Submission by Sara LeFleur, Decatur County Historical Society Musuem, February of 2014