Rev. John McKelvey

MCKELVEY, WELLS, TRAVIS, MANNON, BURKOE

Posted By: Lynn McCleary (email)
Date: 7/15/2016 at 14:02:26

Morning Sun News Herald Feb. 5, 1920 pg 1
Sketch of Rev. John McKelvey

The Rev. John McKelvey was born in Virginia January 22, 1884, and died at the home of his son, S. B. McKelvey in Morning Sun, Iowa, January 24, 1920, at the ripe age of 86 years and 2 days. Mr. McKelvey belonged to the large company of eastern people who emigrated west and became pioneers in settling the central and far west of the U.S. With his parents he first moved to Belmond county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and was married. Seven children were born to this union, three of whom are living: Mrs Ellen Wells, Portland, Oregon; Mrs. May Travis, Holiday, Kan; W. E. McKelvey, Detroit, Michigan.

In the early sixties, the McKelvey family moved to Middleton, MO., In 1876, Mr. McKelvey was ordain to the Gospel ministry in the Cumberland Presbyterian church. His active life was largely devoted to teaching school and missionary work, in organizing Sabbath schools and preaching the Gospel as opportunity afforded him. Following the death of his wife, he was married a second time in 1874. To this union six children were born, of who the following survive: Mrs. Mannon, East View, Mo.; Mrs. Aurelia Burkoe, Mackintosh, Minn.; J. E. McKelvey, Kansas City, Kan.; S. B. McKelvey, Morning Sun, Iowa. In 1879 the family moved to Kansas, where they resided until 1907, when they returned to Excelsior, Mo., here the parents made their hoe until 1916, when failing health compelled them to give up their home, sine then they have lived with their children. The family hold the father in loving remembrance. The aged wife patiently awaits the Master’s call to join the loved ones who have preceded her. The family extends their sincere thanks to the friends and neighbors who ministered to their necessities in their time of sorrow. “I was a stranger and ye took me in.”

The funeral serves were held at the son’s home on January 26th, 1920, and were conducted by Dr. W. P. Nicholas, pastor of the Presbyterian church and Rev. J. Harvey McCormick, pastor of the U. P. church. The body was laid to rest in the Elmmwood Cemetery