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Rock County, Wisconsin

Biographies

"Daniel McKellips"

DANIEL McKELLIPS, is the oldest man now living in Johnstown Township, and resides on
section 20. He is numbered among the honored pioneers of Rock County, to which he made his first trip in 1837, over half a century ago, and since that time has been prominently identified with the history and leading enterprises of the community. He was born in the Green Mountain State, on the 17th day of March, 1807, and is a son of David and Resign (DAVIS) McKELLIPS. His father was a native of New Hampshire, born in 1782, and died in Johnstown Township in 1861. In 1837 our subject made a trip to Rock County, the father remaining with another son in Indiana, and here entered two claims, one of 500 acres for his father, and the other comprising 160 acres for himself. Returning to Indiana he then accompanied his parents to their new home, where the remainder of their days were passed. After about ten years had sped by the mother was called to her final rest, her death occurring in 1848. They were parents of five children - Daniel, David, Samuel, Susanna and Lucinda, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of our subject.
About six years previous to his emigration to Wisconsin, Daniel McKELLIPS was united in
marriage with Miss Elmira WOODARD, their union being celebrated on the 1st day of January, 1831. After traveling life's journey together for almost forty-eight years, Mrs. McKELLIPS, on the 13th day of October, 1878, was called to join her parents in the silent land, leaving a husband, two children, and many friends to mourn the loss of a most estimable lady, whose vacant place in the home can never be filled. By their union five children were born, but three of that number are now with their mother in the eternal world. Susanna departed this life Jan. 22, 1844; Philena died Nov. 2, 1870, and Elizabeth passed away May 22, 1879. Those living are Mary Ann, wife of Almond CHESMORE, a resident of Harmony, and Lorenzo, who is now the manager of his father's farm. He was married Oct. 14, 1855, to Fannie TEED, and to them have been born three children. The lady is a daughter of M. W. and Betsy (RICE) TEED. Her father died in 1869, when sixty-three years of age, but her mother, who is now seventy-six years old, makes her home with Mrs. McKELLIPS.
Our subject is still the owner of the quarter-section of land, which he entered on his arrival in
Rock County, and which has been his home for fifty-one years. He is now an old man, in his eight-second year, and has retired from the active duties of life, but under the able management of his son the farm is in a prosperous condition, while everything about the place denotes thrift and enterprise. Throughout his entire life he has voted with the Democratic party, and is one of the stalwart supporters of the fundamental principles of that organization. Although he cannot enter actively into the enterprises of the community, Mr. MCKELLPS still feels a deep interest in its welfare and will ever be regarded as one of its leading citizens. Respected and esteemed by all he can now look back over his past life of industry and toil, knowing that the ears have been well spent and in due time will bring their reward.
 
Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 897-898.
 
Courtesy of Carol

This page last updated May 28, 2002
 
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