Merritt W. Kelsey (1866-1937)

1923

Merritt W. Kelsey was born in Yellowhead township, Kankakee county, Ill., September 16, 1866. He passed away at his home in Lowell June 10, 1937, at the age of 70 years and 8 months. December 23, 1890, he was united in marriage to Katie A. Stubbs. To this union three children were born: Vernal, wife of Lewis Shurte; Pauline, wife of Russell Burroughts, both of Lowell, and one son, Glen, who preceded him in death July 21, 1931. Also, he is survived by one brother, LeRoy Kelsey of Lowell, one sister, Mrs. A.B. Chipman of Gary, one granddaughter, Marcia Shurte, and a few nieces and nephews.

During the earlier part of Mr. Kelsey's life, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits in his home community in Illinois. In 1898 he moved to Lowell, in which vicinity he has resided until the time of his passing. For a number of years he resided in Lowell and was engaged in the livery and garage business. Later he moved to his farm southeast of Lowell. After twelve years he returned to Lowell to reside but continued to superintend the operation of his farm.

In 1922 Mr. Kelsey was elected trustee of Cedar Creek township. In this office he served well the people of his township for eight years. He was very much interested in the education of the young people of his community. Not only did he provide for his own children a good education, but also he labored to improve the facilities and opportunities for the education of all the children for whom he, as trustee, was responsible. During his term of office, the School Town of Lowell was abandoned and the grade school of Lowell was thereby put into his hands as trustee. Under him the consolidation of the township school was accomplished and the transportation system was enlarged so as to serve all the pupils of the township. About this time he began to conceive plans for enlarging the Lowell District high school, and, in conjunction with the trustee of West Creek township, he secured the building of the new gym and recitation unit of the local high school. With this addition and its splendid equipment, the local high school offers its pupils facilities that are equal to any within a large radius of Lowell. All of this stands as a monument to his interest in the youth of his community and to his faith in education.

Also, it was during his trusteeship that the cemetery in which he has been laid to rest was turned over to the township and the work of beautifying it was begun.

After his two terms as trustee, Mr. Kelsey retired to private life, but he never lost his interest in the welfare of his community and friends. Not long afterwards his health began to fail. The past two years he has sought shelter from the severe portion of our winters by going to Florida. But the past winter he did not receive the relief he sought. The end came in only seventeen hours after a stroke which he suffered Wednesday night.

Mr. Kelsey was of a quiet, unassuming disposition. He was kind and loyal to his friends and ever ready to counsel and assist them. It is with sorrow and regret that this community has witnessed the passing of one of its public spirited citizens and benefactors.