GEORGE KELSO. Among the early residents of Cecil township were Benjamin and Mary (McCormick) Kelso, who settled in Allegheny county, Penn., about the year 1800. Benjamin Kelso served seven years and nine months in the Revolutionary war, and died from disease contracted while in the service. Benjamin Kelso, a son of the pioneer couple above mentioned, was born in 1801, and reared in Allegheny county, Penn., where he received his education. In 1823 he was united in marriage with Martha, daughter of John Murdock, an early pioneer of Allegheny county, who afterward moved to Ohio, dying there many years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Kelso settled on the old homestead in Allegheny county, Penn., where he died in 1880, being followed to the grave by his wife in 1888. They reared the following family of children: Rebecca (married in 1836 to Cornelius Borland, now living in Cecil township, this county), John (a resident of Allegheny county, Penn., married to Mary Hall), Mary (wife of Richard Gladden), George (whose sketch follows), James (living in Pasadena, Cal.), Nancy (married to William Herron, of Noblestown), Margaret, Martha (wife of John P. McConnell), Benjamin (residing on the homestead in Allegheny county), Mark (living in North Strabane township), Samuel (residing in Xenia, Ohio) and Elizabeth. Of these are yet living Rebecca, George, James, Benjamin, Mark and Samuel. The father was a Whig and Republican in politics, and in religious faith he and his wife were formerly members of the Associate Reformed Church at Robinson's Run, afterward uniting with the U. P. Church at the same place. George Kelso, son of Benjamin and Martha (Murdock) Kelso, was born April 28, 1822, in South Fayette township, Allegheny Co., Penn., attending the subscription schools of the day during his boyhood. He began farming on the old homestead, and June 1, 1852, was married to Sarah Jane Wallace also a native of Allegheny county, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Gilfilland) Wallace. The parents were natives of eastern Pennsylvania, coming when children with their parents to Allegheny county, where they were married. They were both members of the United Presbyterian Church at Robinson's Run, and Mr. Wallace was for some years a member of the Session. He died in 1884, being followed by his wife a few years later. His son William lives at the old home. George and Sarah Jane Kelso passed the first years of married life in Allegheny county, and in 1857 bought 178 acres in Cecil township, Washington county. He has made many improvements on the place, and in 1881 erected a comfortable house; in addition to general farming he raises a good grade of sheep. He is a Republican in politics, and has served his township as inspector of elections and auditor. In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Kelso are members of the U. P. Church at Venice. They have had children, five of whom are yet living, as follows: James, a teacher in North Strabane township, married to Lizzie McNary; William Wallace, married to Anna A., daughter of Rev. Anderson, and living on the home farm; Benjamin McCormick, married to Mary Miller, a resident of Pasadena, Cal.; George A., a farmer; and John, a bookkeeper, in Pittsburgh. Those deceased are Lizzie, who died in 1854, aged fifteen months; Maggie, who died in 1872, aged seven years; Sarah Bella, who died in 1876, aged fifteen years; and Mattie, deceased in 1880, aged twenty-one years.

Text taken from page 946 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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