"JOSEPHINE KELLOGG.  -- In writing this entirely inadequate sketch of her, we do it with a very strange beginning in applying to her the soubriquet bequeathed to the family French Marechal Ney, "L'enfant gate de la victoire," -- The spoiled child of victory, -- then glory and victory were the true concomitant followers of Josephine Kellogg at every step and on every path of her life.  Josephine Kellogg was the first white child born in Garden Grove, Decatur County, Iowa.  She received a splendid home education, followed by a thorough course of instruction at the Garden Grove High School, finishing her education at college, and everywhere stood at the head of her class, taking high honors in her classes.  She became a most successful assistant teacher under Professor Harkness at the Garden Grove High School, and so great was her well-earned renown through the whole county, and far beyond its limits, that students came from every part of the country to the Garden Grove High School to enjoy the benefits of the instruction and training of its excellent teachers.  Besides all other qualities so firmly established were her moral and religious character, her thrift, her energies, interwoven with soft, pleasant and mild amiability, gaining for her far-famed popularity, that at an incoming election she was unanimously nominated, and then elected the first lady county superintendent of public instruction in Decatur County, which office she retained for two terms, establishing a new era in the efficiency of this office which she so admirably filled, to the utmost satisfaction of the people, and of the teachers and pupils of the county.  On account of failing health, after two terms of office she not only retired from office but had to remove to the South in search of a milder climate; but Josephine, in her high-minded, noble character, could not live only for herself.  She connected this self-imposed exile from her native soil with a noble missionary work, teaching and educating the poor, forsaken and forlorn colored children, far down South across Dixie's line, and is now a teacher in Tougaloo College, near Jackson, Mississippi.  Since going South Josephine has occasionally visited her relatives and numerous friends in Iowa.  She was present at the first reunion of old settlers, held in August, 1886, at Garden Grove, and delivered the oration of the day, to the greatest delight and admiration of the whole crowd, consisting of many thousands of people, the elite of Decatur County.  In the October number of the  North American Review there is an article written by the graceful pen of Abigail Hamilton, headed "The American Queen," in which the life and works of Zilpah P. Grant-Banister, the greatest American school-teacher is so delightfully given.  We do not know if Josephine took Zilpah for her beau ideal, but we know that she fully followed her footsteps, and if any of the lady teachers of this country will reach Zilpah it is, and will be forever, Josephine Kellogg."

(Submitted to the Decatur County GenWeb site by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com)