Kellogg, Henry Elmer 1858-1939

KELLOGG, STOCKWELL, WILTON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 1/24/2012 at 19:57:40

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; 1939

LAST OF GRINNELL'S FIRST PAIR OF TWINS DIES IN HOLYOKE
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A letter from Mrs. W.E. Wilton of Saratoga, Wyoming, informs The Herald-Register of the death on Oct. 1, of Henry Elmer Kellogg, who for the past eight or ten years has lived in a home for the aged in Holyoke, Mass.

Mr. Kellogg was one of twins, his brother being William Austin Kellogg, who for a number of years was employed by the grounds department of Amherst college. He suffered a fall while at work a number of years ago and died of a broken neck. Henry was a printer by trade.

The Kellogg twins, of pure New England stock, were born in Grinnell, then a struggling settlement, in 1858, the sons of Ithamar Conkey and Martha Stockwell Kellogg. They were the first twins ever born in Grinnell and their advent created much excitement. Their combined weight was less than six pounds.

On the occasion of their 72nd birthday in 1930 a picture of the twins was printed in an eastern paper. It was mentioned that the brothers had in their possession some of the finest examples of New England antiques to be found in that section.

According to the picture they were very unlike in appearance, Henry being much the taller, and the clipping stated that many of their neighbors did not realize for years that the two were twin brothers.

Neither of them ever married and they were the last of their line, Henry had been nearly totally deaf from birth.

"I have written him occassionally," writes Mrs. Wilton, "and his letters have been most entertaining. He should have been a journalist but lacked backing and encouragement."