Joseph Kelso - 1879

KELSO, CLOUGH, DOUGLASS, REDMOND, CRESSY, SHAW

Posted By: LuAnn Goeke (email)
Date: 10/14/2009 at 21:42:51

HON. JOSEPH KELSO, banker, Bellevue; a native of Ireland; at the age of 20, he came to America and first settled in Virginia. In 1840, he went to Pike Co., Ohio; engaged in teaching school and reading law; in 1845, he commenced a regular course of law studies, under the supervision of N.K. Clough, and afterward with John M. Douglass, who is now a resident of Chicago; after being admitted to the bar, he removed to Bellevue, in 1849, and practiced his profession; he also joined himself with W.L. Redmond, of Bellevue, in the banking business, under the firm name of Kelso & Redmond; this connection continued till 1868, when the firm was dissolved, since which time the business has been carried on by Mr. Kelso, alone. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney, and served very acceptably in that office; in 1857, was elected County Judge of Jackson Co., which office he held for one term; he has held the office of Mayor and many other places of trust, within the gift of the citizens of this city and county. He is a man of strict integrity, and a shrewd business financier, and is held in universal esteem by all who know him. He married Miss Eliza Cressy, who was born in Beverly, Essex Co., Mass.; she died in Bellevue in 1864; they had two children - Walter C. and William. His second marriage was in 1872, to Miss Sophia F. Shaw, of Maquoketa; she was born in Dubuque; they have three children - Carrie, Joseph and Jennie. - 1879 History of Jackson County Iowa, Pg 665-666