Kelso, Oliver M.

KELSO, DANIELS

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/22/2006 at 16:25:35

KELSO, OLIVER M.

Oliver M. Kelso, whose efficient services as clerk of the county court marked him as one of the capable businessmen of Lyon County, and whose personal character and conceded abilities well qualify him for public position, was born in 1852, in Martinsville, Ohio. He remained at home until he was fourteen, when he removed to Jasper County, Iowa, where he learned the butcher trade of Ben Worden. For some four years he was in the employ of that gentleman, after which he made his home in Cass County, where he worked at his trade until 1881. That year he returned to Japer County to enter into business on his own account, being associated with his brother-in-law, a partnership that continued until 1888, when the business passed into the hands of Daniels & Gray, and Mr. Kelso became a resident of Rock Rapids. Here Mr. Kelso worked at his trade until 1893. That year he again went into business with his brother-in-law, A.W. Wright, as a partner, the firm being A.W. Wright & Co. In 1898 he was elected clerk of the county court, and consequently the firm was dissolved. Mr. Kelso was elected again in 1900, and served until January 1, 1903. He is a staunch Republican, and was elected as such. While he is a strong party man, he is a good citizen, and has done much to advance the interests of Lyon County.

Mr. Kelso is a member of Lodge No. 480, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has taken much pleasure in its fraternal associations. His membership dates from 1884. For twenty years he has been a hard worker in the ranks of the order of the Knights of Pythias, having at different times filled its various official chairs, and having been elected as a delegate to the grand lodge. This he could not attend, as he could not get away from business.

The wedding ceremonies of Oliver M. Kelso and Mary Daniels were celebrated November 28, 1876. She is a daughter of C.M. Daniels, who was born in Kentucky. John Kelso, the father of our subject, was a carpenter through the summer season, and a schoolteacher in the winter. He met an accidental death. Mr. and Mrs. Kelso are the parents of six children: Roy E., Bessie M., Alta V., John W., Gladys and George W.

William Kelso, grandfather of Oliver M., was born in Scotland, and immigrating to this country about the time of the Revolution, finally settled in Kentucky, where he died at an advanced age. Amanda Milton, the mother of Oliver M. Kelso, was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Aaron Milton, a native of that state and a farmer, who lived to be ninety-six years old. His father came from Germany before the time of the Revolution.

In 1902 our subject was defeated for the office of clerk of county court by seventeen votes. Mrs. Kelso is a member of Rebekah Lodge, No. 49, of Rock Rapids, and has served in all the official chairs of the lodge; also a member of Women's Relief Corps, No. 55 of Rock Rapids, in which she has held every office except president, and is at present conductor. She is also a member of the Ladies' Aid Society of Rock Rapids.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson