Kelley, Bessie & Robbie died 1886

KELLEY, KELLY, KILLEY

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 11/6/2025 at 13:13:37

Elkader Weekly Register, 24 June 1886. From the Dubuque Times dated Saturday last.

The following is from a McGregor correspondence to the Dubuque Times dated on Saturday last:

"Two little children were drowned just below town yesterday at about 3 o'clock - one a boy, seven, the other, a girl about eleven. They were the children of a Mr. Kelly. It seems that the children thought to take a boat ride; and finding an old leaky skiff got in and pushed out into the river. The boat beginning to rock they jumped into the river and were drowned. The body of the girl has just been found and a number of men are dragging to find the boy."

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Added by S. Ferrall 11/6/25:

DROWNED - A sad and distressing ending of two young lives occurred on Friday evening last. Robbie and Bessie, aged respectively seven and nine years, son and daughter of Robert Kelley, residing on the Gerndt place a mile and a half below the city, were playing in a skiff, or flat-boat used for fishing, on the river in front of their home Friday evening, when by some means the boat tipped and tilted and they were both precipitated into the water and drowned.

At the time of the occurrence the mother was absent at North McGregor, and the father engaged in his daily labor. A number of citizens engaged in the search for the bodies. That of the girl was recovered near by where it is supposed she fell in; that of the boy was not recovered until Saturday afternoon, a long distance below.

The funeral occurred at the M.E. church on Sunday afternoon, the two little coffins resting at the altar, covered with choice flowers made into crosses, wreaths, etc. - affectionate offerings at the shrine of innocent childhood. Rev. Manning, of Waukon, preached the funeral discourse.

Mr. and Mrs. Killey [sic] request us to extend to the friends who so kindly aided them during the hours of sore affliction, their heartfelt thanks.

[Contributor's note: "Friday evening last" would have been June 18th]

Related articles:
A considerable fund was raised for Robert Kelly and family, Theo. Gerndt having the matter in charge, on Monday last. The family are in poor circumstances and this free gift comes opportunely, when severely suffering from the loss of their two children.

~North Iowa Times, Thursday, June 24, 1886; pg 3

Contributor's notes:
Bessie (8) & Robert (6) were enumerated with their parents Robert (39) & Sarah (34) KELLEY living in North McGregor, Mendon twp. on the 1885 Iowa State census. Both children were born in Minnesota. A one y/o daughter, Hattie, the youngest child in the family was the only sibling born in Clayton co., all of the others in MN. Harry, 3 y/o, was the next youngest & born in MN. FindaGrave has memorials w/obits for both parents in the Cassville, WI cemetery. Although Pleasant Grove, McGregor is a very likely burial place for the children, it is also possible given their short residence, they were buried near relatives in MN or WI. Please reply to this obit if you can confirm their burial places.