WILLIAM JAMES KELSO. The Kelso family are of Irish descent, and Mark Kelso, after his marriage to Elizabeth Ewing, came to a farm in Allegheny county, Penn., remaining there some time. In 1818 he bought an improved farm, which became his permanent home. His wife died many years before him, leaving the following children: Mary (Mrs. John Cowden, living in Mt. Pleasant township), Esther (who died in 1888), Elizabeth (who died in 1884), George, John (who married in Ohio, and had one child, Americus, now deceased), James, Martha and Letta Ann. Of these children James Kelso was first married to a Miss Elder, who bore him children as follows: William E., Mark, John, Elizabeth and Lucinda. The mother died, and for his second wife James was married to Jane Miller, and they had three children: Margaret, Alice and Miller. This wife also died, and the father then made a third choice in the person of Mrs. Catherine M. Millan, who bore him two children, viz.: James and Samuel George. The father of this family died in Allegheny county, Penn., two years after the death of his last wife. Martha Kelso became the wife of Phineas Kelso, of Lawrence county, Ohio, and four children were born to them as follows: Mark (who entered the service in Lawrence county, Ohio, and was killed in battle), Elizabeth, Andrew and John. Letta Ann Kelso was married to John Gregg, of North Fayette township, Allegheny Co., Penn., the following children being born to their union: Elizabeth, Mark, Edward, Mary, Levi and Esther (twins), Clara, Emma and Ellsworth. George M. Kelso, son of Mark and Elizabeth (Ewing) Kelso, was born April 6, 1806, in Allegheny county, Penn., coming in 1818 to Washington county with his parents. The family settled on the farm now owned by J. R. Kelso, where George M. grew to manhood. On March 28, 1838, the latter was married to Maria Rankin, who was born December 22, 1813, in Mt. Pleasant township. The young people settled on the home farm where their lives were passed. George Kelso and his wife were formerly members of the Union Church, afterward uniting with the United Presbyterian Church at Venice. He died March 27, 1879, his wife being laid to rest July 30, 1878. They were the parents of nine children: one who died unnamed; Mary Jane; Lizzie E. (wife of David R. P. Springer); Mark; Abigail Lavina, born in February, 1846 (deceased in March, 1847); Abigail Lavina, born December 21, 1847 (living on the home farm); J. R. (living on the home farm); William James, born May 5, 1852, and Maggie A., born July 2, 1854. Of these children Lizzie E. was married February 19, 1878, to David Springer, a native and resident of Robinson township, and to this union were born two children, one of whom is living, Charley Ross (Mr. Springer died August 29, 1887); Mark Kelso was married on October 19, 1871, to Elizabeth Cornelius Allison, a native of Allegheny county (they have had seven children, three of whom are living: George and Alexander (twins) and Mark; the father was a farmer of Fayette township, Allegheny Co, Penn.). William James Kelso was born on the old place in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, there receiving his early education. On May 10, 1882, he was married to Ella Finley, a native of Allegheny City, daughter of William Finley, who was born in County Derry, Ireland. In about 1855 they came to America and located in Allegheny City, Penn., where they are now living. After his marriage Mr. Kelso bought and moved upon the William McConnell farm in Cecil township, containing 103 1/2 acres. He has made many improvements, and has erected a good barn. He votes with the Republican party, and in religion Mr. and Mrs. Kelso are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Venice, this county. They have one daughter, Mary Elsie.

Text taken from page 944 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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