James Madison Kellogg

CORT, GORDON, JAMES, KELLOGG, SMITH

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/20/2004 at 21:11:03

“History of Madison County Iowa and Its People”
Herman A. Mueller, Supervising Editor
Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915

James M. Kellogg was for many years a farmer of Scott township, Madison county, and was highly respected by all who were brought in contact with him. Born in Mahaska county, Iowa, on the 24th of January, 1852, his father was Miles Kellogg, whose birth occurred in Butler county, Ohio, on the 5th of May, 1823, When nine years of age the latter removed with his parents to Fountain county, Indiana, and was there reared and married on the 3d of July, 1845, to Miss Elizabeth Smith, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, on the 20th of January, 1822, but grew to womanhood in Indiana. In 1845 they came to Iowa, remaining in Davis county for about six months, after which they settled in Mahaska county. In 1855 they removed to Madison county, locating upon a quarter section of land in Scott township. Mr. Kellogg was one of the county's earliest settlers and did his share in the work of transforming the wilderness into cultivated farms, as his land was wild prairie and timber land when it came into his possession.

While making the journey from Indiana to Iowa he had a number of interesting experiences. They traveled in a one-horse wagon and it required thirteen days to make the trip. In Hancock, Illinois, they were held up on what was known as Nauvoo Swamp by a band of Mormons and their wagon was searched, but as no valuables were found they were allowed to proceed on their way. Mr. Kellogg died July 1, 1897, having survived his wife for five years, as her demise occurred on the 10th of March, 1892. Four of their seven children died in infancy, the others being: Sylvester B., who passed away on the 23d of January, 1876; Mary J., the wife of Jonathan A. Gordon, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; and James M., of this review.

There are many representatives of the Kellogg family in this country and a two volume genealogy has been compiled which gives the names of more than ten thousand members of the family.

James M. Kellogg removed with his parents to this county in 1855 when he was but three years of age and grew to manhood on a farm in Scott township. As a boy and youth much of his time was given to assisting in the farm work and when he reached mature years he continued to follow agricultural pursuits. He became the owner of eighty acres of fine land and devoted his time and energy to its cultivation and improvement. He was industrious, managed, his affairs wisely and his land yielded him a competence. In 1876 Mr. Kellogg was married to Miss Ellen James, who was born in Madison county, near Winterset, on what is now Judge Lewis' farm, on the 31st of March, 1860. Her father, John H. James, a native of Indiana, was left an orphan in childhood and when a young man removed to Iowa, becoming a prosperous farmer of Madison county. He married Miss Permelia Smith, a daughter of Aquilla and Elizabeth Smith, early settlers of this county. Mr. James passed away September 3, 1879, and his widow was called to her reward on the 25th of March, 1912. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg: Charles, of Odebolt, Iowa, who married Miss Margaret Cort, by whom he has a daughter, Florence; and Frank, who is at home with his mother and is taking charge of the operation of the farm.

Mr. Kellogg was a Republican in his political belief and held membership, in the United Brethren church. He was unostentatious and quiet in manner, but those who were associated with him knew him to be a man of much genuine worth and he had many friends who were grieved by his death, which occurred on Christmas Day, 1903.

Madison Biographies maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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