George McDonald KELSO

                   George M. Kelso, son of Mark and Elizabeth (Ewing) Kelso, was born April 6, 1806, in Allegheny county, Penn., in 1818 coming to Washington county with his parents. The family settled on a farm now owned by J. B. 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 M. Kelso and his wife were formerly members of the Robinson's Run 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: an unnamed infant (deceased); Mary Jane; Lizzie E. (wife of David R. P. Springer); Mark; Abigail Lavina (deceased); Abigail Lavina (living on the home farm); J. R., subject of this sketch; William James, and Maggie A. Of these children, Lizzie E. was married February 19, 1878, to David R. P. Springer, a native and resident of Robinson township, and to this union were born two children, one of whom, Charley Ross, is living (Mr. Springer died August 29, 1887); Mark Kelso was married, 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 is a farmer of North Fayette township, Allegheny Co., Penn.); William James was married May 11, 1882, to Miss Ella Finley, of Pittsburgh, Penn. (they reside in Cecil township, this county, and have one daughter, Mary Elsie).

J. R. Kelso, son of George and Maria (Rankin) Kelso was born on the farm where he is now residing, receiving his literary education in the schools of Mt. Pleasant township. Mr. Kelso has always followed agricultural pursuits on the home farm of 189 acres, his sister keeping house for him. He devotes considerable attention to stock raising, and has been successful in all his business undertakings. He is a member of the U. P. Church at Venice, this county, and in politics votes the Republican ticket. Text taken from page 575 of:  Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

p. 944, 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).


1860 census: Mount Pleasant, Washington, Pennsylvania  Roll: M653_1192 Page: 680 318,316
George Kelsoe?, 59, male, farmer, Pa
Mariah             , 48, female, Pa
Mary J.            , 20, female, Pa
Elizabeth          , 18, female, Pa
Mark I              , 18?, male, Pa
Jesse R.           , 12, male, Pa
Abagail L.        , 10, female, Pa
William J.         , 8, male, Pa
Margaret A.     , 6, female, Pa
319/317
Ester P.? Kelsoe, 48, female, Pa
Elizabeth Kelsoe, 56?, female, Pa