McKellar, Nelson, 1872-1899

MCKELLAR, DODDS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/19/2014 at 20:02:32

Sioux County Soldier Boy Dead.

Nelson McKellar, who enlisted in Co. F. of the 1st South Dakota Volunteers, which regiment was sent to the Philippines, was reported in Monday's Sioux City Journal as dead in the hospital at Manila. Smallpox was the disease. The young man was a cousin of our Fred McKellar in the State Bank of Hull and a nephew of County Supervisor Blatherwick. McKellar endeavored to get into Co. E last spring but failing, joined the South Dakota regiment. This regiment saw some of the severe fighting at Manila and has won a great name for itself. It brings the results of war nearer home to our people when the boys from this section appear among the lists of those killed or wounded. McKellar was well known at Rock Valley and well liked. His parents are both dead but he has brothers and sisters who mourn his sacrifice of life, also a young lady with whom he had plighted troth before leaving on his stern errand of duty.

Source: Hull Index, April 7, 1899.

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Coverage in other area papers gives some additional information about McKellar or his family:

Waterloo Daily Courier, April 5, 1899:
Dies at Manila. Nelson McKellar, Jr., Formerly of Blackhawk County.
The telegraphic reports from Manila giving a list of the soldier dead contain the name of Nelson McKellar, whose death was caused by smallpox. McKellar was a son of the late Nelson McKellar, of Cedar township, this county. He was about 26 years of age and enlisted with a South Dakota regiment.

Sioux County Bee and Rock Valley Register, April 7, 1899:
In reporting about rumors of his death, mentions a February 24 letter from McKellar to "Miss Dodds," who may be his fiancé, saying that he is well.

Sioux County Bee and Rock Valley Register, April 14, 1899:
Resolutions by Rock Valley Camp 2249, Modern Woodmen of America, in honor of Nelson McKellar, an "esteemed and worthy neighbor" of the camp; and by Rock Valley Lodge No. 496, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in honor of "our esteemed brother."

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GSCGS researcher Wilma J. Vande Berg supplied the following information:
Found on line that Nelson Mc Kellar died 27 Mar 1899 Manilla Philipines in the war and was buried there. He was single and 27 years of age, born 1872 in Cedar tsp, Black Hawk county. Found a family in the 1885 census believed to be his family--Nelson Mc Kellar age 54 born Scotland died 18 Jan 1890; wife Mary age 48; children were John 26, Daniel 24, Edward 22, Eva 20, Frank 16, Alexander 14, Nelson 12, Jennie 10, Joel 8, b. 1876 died 1940 Rock Valley.)