Kellogg, Capt. John J.

KELLOGG, MAXON, MC GAUGHEY

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 7/28/2021 at 11:46:20

Capt. John J. Kellogg, attorney-at-law, Washington, is a native of Adams Center, Jefferson Co., N. Y., born Oct. 16, 1837. His father, Luke Kellogg, was born in Oneida County, N. Y., in 1800, while his mother, Ada (Maxon) Kellogg, was born in Madison County, the same State, in 1804. They were married in 1822. His grandfather, Ashbel Kellogg, born in New Hartford, Conn., was a soldier, acting as Paymaster in the Revolutionary War, and located in Oneida County, N. Y., at an early day. His Grandfather Maxon was also a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Luke Kellogg and Ada Maxon, about four years after their marriage, located in Jefferson County, N. Y., where they reared a family of ten children, nine of whom are now living: Betsey, the wife of Albert Heath, a jeweler, resides in Adams Center, Jefferson Co., N. Y. ; George G., a farmer, lives on the old homestead; Delia O., widow of Thomas R. Greene, lives in Adams Center; Henry J., marble manufacturer, in Jefferson County, N. Y.; Martha A. is the wife of Galen Hall, a photographer, of Adams Center, N. Y.; Charles G. is a fruit grower in Los Angeles County, Cal.; Lorenzo M. is a farmer in Illinois; Ellen A. is the wife of M Tittsworth, a merchant in Adams Center, N. Y.

Luke Kellogg was an Abolitionist, one who was neither afraid nor ashamed to express his views, and his house was for years a station on the “underground railroad.” The poor slave endeavoring to escape to land of freedom was kindly cared for by him, and helped on his way. He was also a strong temperance man, well posted in all questions of public interest, and held several offices of honor and trust. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Kellogg married Patience Pettitt, of Gloversville, N. Y. He died in 1870.

John J. Kellogg, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father’s farm, received a liberal education, and taught school for several years. In 1860 he went to Illinois, and while there enlisted in August, 1862, at Kankakee, as a private in Co. B, 119th Ill. Vol. Inf., known as the Board of Trade Regiment, and was mustered in at Camp Hancock, Chicago. The regiment had a very active existence and was in many engagements during the war. Mr. Kellogg, on the organization of the company, was made Orderly Sergeant, and as such went into active service. After rendezvousing at Chicago, the regiment was sent to Memphis, Tenn., and from there joined in the first expedition against Price on the Tallahatchie River. Returning to Memphis, it was forwarded to Chickasaw Bayou, and was in that engagement; then to Arkansas Post, where it took a hand; then to Young’s Point, where it worked on the canal during the following winter. In the spring of 1863 it was under Gen. Blair and engaged in the battle of Champion Hills, and was then in the siege of Vicksburg, which resulted in the capture of the city July 3, 1863. On the 19th and 20th of May it participated in both charges, and on the 19th Mr. Kellogg was wounded by a piece of shell. The regiment was ordered from Vicksburg to the Yazoo, and thence to Corinth, where it spent the winter of 1863-64. In the spring of 1864 it was sent to Memphis and took part in the engagement against the rebel forces under Forest, resulting in driving them out. For two hours the command fought without orders from headquarters. It was next in the raid to Guntown under Gen. Sturgiss, when Company B lost all but thirteen of its men. The regiment on its return was sent to guarding the bridges of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad.

In the spring of 1865 Mr. Kellogg was detailed with Cols. Reeves and Wiley for the organization of the Tennessee militia, and then upon examination by a board of examiners at Memphis, he was commissioned Captain of Co. B, 88th U. S. Col. Inf. This regiment was first put in charge of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad depot, and afterward sent to Ft. Pickens, where it remained till the close of the war, being mustered out in January 1866. While still in the service, Capt. Kellogg received a furlough, returned to Illinois, and on the 16th of November, 1864, was united in marriage at Ottawa, Ill., to Miss Isabella McGaughey, a native of Ohio. Three children have been born to them: Elliott L., who died at Charlotte, N. C., in December, 1866; Samuel J. and Louis B.

On receiving his discharge Capt. Kellogg returned to Ottawa, Ill., entered the law office of Leland Blanchard, and in the fall of 1866 was admitted to the bar. Like many other young attorneys, present necessities were stronger with him than prospective fees in the future, and he therefore secured the position of Principal of the Fourth Ward School in Ottawa, which he occupied for three years. He was then appointed Deputy Circuit and Recorder, under S. H. Hook, and subsequently Deputy United States Clerk for the Sixth District of Illinois, holding the latter position for seven years. While Deputy United States Clerk, he also engaged in the practice of his profession in addition to collecting and loaning money. In July, 1867, he moved with his family to Washington, this State, where he has since continued to reside. Soon after coming to this city, he formed a partnership with E. W. Stone, under the firm name of Stone & Kellogg, subsequently associating with themselves C. J. Wilson, under the firm name of Stone, Kellogg & Wilson. On the election of Mr. Stone to the office of District Attorney, the copartnership was dissolved, and the firm of Kellogg & Wilson organized. This continued until January, 1887, when it was also dissolved, since which time Capt. Kellogg has been alone. Since coming to Washington the only office he has held has been that of City Clerk. He is a member of the Western Riflemen’s Association, and is Secretary and Treasurer of the same. He is also a member of the G. A. R., and was a delegate to the National Encampment in 1887.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Capt. John J. Kellogg, pages 333-334.