According to an Internet database on Illinois veterans of the Civil War, James J. Kelsey was in Company K of the 113th Illinois Infantry. His residence at the time of enlistment was in Yellowhead.
This Nov. 11, 1920, Lowell Tribune obituary appeared on page 1, column 4:
James J. Kelsey was born in Tioga Co., Pennsylvania, February 25, 1842, and passed away at his home in Lowell, November 5, 1920, at the age of 78 years, 8 months and 20 days.
He was the son of John D. and Eunice Johnson Kelsey. Two sisters Mary Townsend and Emily Minor, both deceased. His mother died when he was three years of age. Mr. Kelsey's father later married Barbara Turner. To this union four children were born, Jennie Eastman and Emma Schuster (deceased) John D. of Woodstock, Ill., and Wykoff, of Aurora, Ill.
Mr. Kelsey was married to Nancy J. Kile, September 18, 1863. To this union three children were born, Laura E. Chipman, of Crown Point, Merrit W. and Leroy E. of Lowell.
Since he was eighteen years of age he has been a resident of Kankakee county, Ill., and Lowell, Ind. Mr. Kelsey was a veteran of the Civil war and a member of the G.A.R. He was a loving father, of a cheerful disposition and during his long illness, a patient sufferer.
He leaves to mourn, his wife, three children, seven grand-children, one great-grand child, two brothers and a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at the home Monday at 10:30 a.m. and they were attended by a large number of sorrowing relatives and friends. Rev. C.A. Brown preached the funeral sermon. Interment was made in the Lowell cemetery. Undertaker William Sheets had charge of the burial service. The following acted as pall-bearers: Merrit Kelsey, Leroy Kelsey, A.B. Chipman, Albert Chipman, Cecil Kelsey and Lewis Shurte.
Those from out of town attending the funeral were: Rev. and Mrs. W.M. Kelsey, Aurora, Ill.; Rev. J.D. Kelsey, Mr. and Mrs. Irving Kelsey of Woodstock, Ill.; George Schuster, Mrs. John Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Bennet, of South Chicago; Oliver Townsend, Mrs. Lewis Underwood, of Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. G.W. VanAlstine, of Monticello, Ind.; E.E. VanAlstine, Cecil, Ohio; Mrs. F.F. Heighway, Crown Point, Ind.; G.E. Eastman, Benton Harbor, Mich.; H. Braiding, Mrs. Clyde Braiding, Mrs. Bessie Brohome, Clyde Braiding, Jr., of Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Albert Chipman, of Akron, Ind.
Last updated on April 6, 2009.
Go to James J. Kelsey, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.