JOSEPH KELSO, b abt 1820

KELSO, CRESSY, SHAW

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 6/12/2004 at 07:36:36

Many of the strongest characters in American history were born and reared in the North of Ireland. This was largely due to the great social and religious conflict among the people which deveoped the greatest powers of the naturally strong and sturdy race. One of these distinguished citizens is the gentleman of whom we now write. He is a prominent resident of Bellevue and was born in the North of Ireland about the year 1820. His father, Joseph Kelso, was a minister of the Church of the Seceders of Scotland. He was a gentleman of spendid education and great strength of character, and under his tutorship our subject received his educational training, also attending the schools of the neighborhood. In 1840 our subject came to America, taking passage at Belfast on an American sailing vessel, which, after a voyage of forty days landed him in New York City.

Shortly after his arrival in this country Mr. Kelso went to Virginia where he remained for about one year, when he went to Pike County, Ohio, and for a short time thereafter we find him at work as a clerk in a mercantile store. During this time to increase his income he taught a private school and about the year 1844, began the study of law at Piketon, Ohio. For the following eighteen months he read diligently in the office of N.K. Plough. He then removed to Galena, Ill. where he completed his studies with J.M. Douglas, then a promient lawyer of Galena, but now a resident of Chicago. He was examined by two of the Judges of the Supreme Court of Illinois, and it may be said to his credit, passed the critical test quite satisfactorily, and he was duly admitted to the practice of law. He hung out his shingle in the city of Galena, and for the following two years passed through that ordeal known to every young man embarking in professional life. He felt that there was a better opportunity for him across the river in Iowa, and we therefore find him, in 1848, moving his effects over to Bellevue. This city at that time was the county seat of Jackson County, and naturally offered splended inducements to a studious and enterprising young lawyer. Here our subject entered upon a career of thirty years at the bar, and became one of the legal lights, not only of Jackson County, but of the western part of the State.

During the period above alluded to, the Hon. Mr. Kelso served as Judge of Jackson County, during the term from 1859 to 1861. He was called upon to serve the people as their Prosecuting Attorney for the county for several terms. This position as we might reasonably suppose he filled with great credit to himself, and satisfaction to his constituents. He has also served as Mayor of Bellevue, for a number of terms, and in every public and private capacity has always had at heart the growth and prosperity of Bellevue. He has contributed a great deal toward its advancement, and to-day is known as one of the most respected and valued of the pioneer citizens of the town.

The Judge is one of those sturdy self-made men we so frequently meet in our Western country. Beginning life with little or no means, by close application and great energy, guided by good common sense, he has been able to accumulate considerable property. In 1868 he went into the banking business and since then has been known as one of the reliable financiers of Bellevue.

Judge Kelso was united in marriage, first with Eliza Cressy, who bore him two children - Walter C., who is now cashier in the Merchants' Bank, at Crookston, Minn., and William, a banker at Hollock, Minn. The second marriage of Mr. Kelso, was with Sophia F. Shaw, of Maquoketa - this county. This lady became the mother of three children - Carrie, who is now at Oberlin College, Joseph and Jennie.

It is certainly gratifying for a gentleman like Judge Kelso to look back upon a career so successful as regards his personal prosperity, and also upon the splended advancement made by the community all about him. When he crossed the Father of Waters, the country was comparatively in its primitive condition, and where to-day thriving cities and prosperious villages are located, could then be seen the smoke curling upward from the savage's wigwam, and where the steam engine drawing its heavily laden train winds its way through the valleys, was only the trail of the red man and the home of the wolf, the deer, and the buffalo. No one has contributed more toward the magnificent transformation than has the gentleman of whom we write. He is to-day one of the landmarks of the olden time; a gentleman of ripe experience, splendid business sagacity, and sterling integrity, and no man is more deserving of prominent mention in a work like this, designed to chronicle the careers and achievements of the best people of the community, than the Hon. Joseph Kelso. He has been a lifelong Democrat and has labored diligently for the advancement and growth of the principles of that party. Althought not a member of any Church, his religious faith tends toward that of the Presbyterian Church.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)