Kelso

PIPER, NULTON

Posted By: Roseanna (email)
Date: 5/5/2002 at 07:10:26

Henry Kelso, a noted farmer and stock breeder, whose home is on the southeast quarter of section 28, is noted as the oldest homesteader in Grant Township, Lyon County. Through years of adversity and prosperity he has held the handles of the plow, working out for himself a comfortable home and giving his energies to the upbuilding of the locality in which he resides.
Henry Kelso was born in Licking County, Ohio, January 20, 1850, and was the second member of a family of five sons and one daughter born to John and Betsy (Piper) Kelso, both of whom descended from Scotch ancestors.
In 1853 the family came overland to the new state of Iowa, and spent a year in Johnson County, after which they made a permanent home in Hardin County. Here the father farmed and worked at his trade and here both father and mother were buried. In 1865, Henry Kelso, who had not been allowed to enlist in spite of repeated efforts, became restless and went to Nebraska City, where he hired out as a freighter across the plains. Here he found a boy’s pleasure in exciting times; and as a matter of fact he found all the excitement he desired. He afterward worked on the Union Pacific Railroad and in 1869 returned to his old Iowa home. In the spring of 1871 he came to LeMars, whence he struck out afoot to Lyon County, where he found his homestead. He went back to LeMars, also afoot, and made his filings March 20, 1871. That same spring he brought out a team and broke some twenty-five acres for himself. He erected a sod house and established bachelor quarters for himself. The following winter he taught school in Grundy County, and was also married. In the spring he brought his bride to the sod house, and here the first happy months of their married life were passed. During the summer he built a frame house 16 by 20 feet.
Mr. Kelso had been breaking for others, and thus made a living for himself during the grasshopper years. He taught school, and thus helped himself through very hard times. Despite the trials and disappointments of these early days Mr. Kelso looks back to them as the happiest period of his life. A true frontiersman, he enjoyed the hospitality of the people and the genuine neighborliness that was the order of the day. He knew all the families for twenty-five miles around, and every “settler ran a hotel.” He is a Republican, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is well known in county politics and has served three years as a member of the county board.
Mr. Kelso was married in 1872 to Miss Lydia Nulton, a native of Ohio, who died November 19, 1901, having had three children: Edson, who is now living on the farm in Grant Township; Edith, a teacher in Lyon County; and Alva, also at home.
Mr. Kelso is giving much attention to blooded stock, and was the first to handle short-horn Durham cattle in this section of the county, having now a herd of twenty-five registered cattle. His Chester White hogs are also of fine grade and attract much attention.

PG.199, "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.