Ratcliffe, Susan Kellar (AUTHOR); Michael Kellar and Catharine Monroe of Fairfax County, Virginia - Their Family and Descendants - 1760/2002. Pages 97-101.
JOHN FRANCIS4 KELLAR (BENJAMIN HARRISON3, MICHAEL2, MICHAEL1) was born 8/10/1842 in Morgan Co., OH and died 4/25/1925 in Hot Springs, Fall River Co., SD (Bible of Harrison & Catharine Miller Kellar). He married (1) LOUIS P. KRAPS 5/23/1867 in Noble Co., OH (Noble County Marriages 1851-1900), daughter of JOHN KRAPS and MARTHA MCNABB. She was born 7/10/1849 in Morgan Co., OH (Cemetery and Death Records of Warren County, Iowa), and died 11/21/1873 in Warren Co., IA. He married (2) MATILDA JANE SAYRE 4/4/1878 in Warren Co., IA, by H. [Harrison] Kellar, daughter of ENOCH SAYRE and ELIZABETH FELTON. She was born 5/15/1855, and died 11/29/1929 in Washington City, DC. (See Collateral Family Lines in APPENDICES for Descendants of Jediah Sayre.)
John Francis Kellar was a member of the Union Light Guard during the Civil War, and Robert W. McBride, 1st corporal and also company clerk of the Union Light Guard, presented a paper, "Lincoln's Body Guard - the Union Light Guard - the Seventh Independent Company of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, 1908," to the Century Club of Indianapolis, IN. The exact date of presentation is unknown, but some of the data is included here from the files of the Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, OH.
"The Union Light Guard, also known as the Seventh Independent Company of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, was organized by Ohio Governor David Todd during the months of November and December, 1863, for special service, the nature of which was not disclosed to the members of the Company until some time after it was mustered into service. Enlistment was for three years, or during the war; they were mustered into service at Columbus, Ohio, December 17, 1863. They left Columbus for Washington, DC, December 22, 1863, via Wheeling WV and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Arriving at Washington they reported to the Secretary of War and were assigned to barracks a few blocks southwest of the War Department. There they learned for the first time that they were to serve as bodyguard or mounted escort for President Lincoln.
Part of the company was assigned to duty at the White House while others were detailed to various points in and around Washington. Many were sent to the Virginia side of the river and were scattered among the forts defending Washington from a point opposite Georgetown to a point south of Alexandria.
During the summer months President Lincoln spent his nights at the Soldiers' Home near Washington and the company escorted him from the White House to the Home and returning. [He also carried dispatches which was a constant concern of his family back in Ohio.]
Taking the company as a whole, the membership was much above that of the average company of soldiers intellectually, morally, socially and physically. Originally it was intended that each Ohio county send two representatives, but some counties were slow to respond so that other counties were allowed to make up the deficiencies. There was 'bitter disappointment' when it was learned that they were condemned to 'inglorious inactivity,' and 'earnest efforts were made by members to have the company assigned to duty at the front where it could share in the activities and dangers of real warfare. These efforts elicited a stern reminder from the great War Secretary that a soldier's first duty was unquestioning obedience to the orders of his superiors…' They could not realize at the time 'the honor of having been specially chosen as the personal escort and bodyguard of one of the greatest of Americans and the greatest of men.'
The company had its share of unpleasant experiences which were best forgotten, and when its members returned to their homes after being mustered out, it is probable that a majority of them would have considered a blank page the best record of their war service. Especially so when they began to touch elbows with those who bore scars of battle and listen to their tales of 'camp and campaign.' However, those in active combat considered service as Lincoln's bodyguard to be one of great honor. One distinguished officer who had won honor in the field declared he would rather have been the captain of the Union Light Guard than a brigadier general in any other service.
The following text might have been of the words of John Francis as it was written by a non-commissioned officer of the Union Light Guard and read at the Century Club in Indianapolis [undated].
To those familiar with the city of Washington during the time of the Civil War it is not surprising that Lincoln was assassinated. The surprising thing to them was that it was so long delayed. It is probable that the only man in Washington who, if he thought upon the subject at all, did not think Mr. Lincoln was in danger was Mr. Lincoln himself. The city was filled with 'southern sympathizers' and could easily be entered by men from beyond the Rebel lines.
A company from a New York regiment of cavalry known as Scott's Nine Hundred was his original cavalry escort, but in 1863 Governor David Todd of Ohio tendered the services of a picked cavalry company from that state. His offer was accepted and in December of 1863 the company, 108 strong, reached Washington. The company was known as the Union Light Guard or Seventh Independent Squadron of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. From that time until it was mustered out of service on the 9th day of September 1865, it was the mounted escort or bodyguard of Abraham Lincoln and his successor in office.
Mr. Lincoln spent the summer of 1864 at the Soldier's Home, going out from the city in the evening and returning in the morning. A detachment of the guard accompanied him as his escort and remained at the Soldier's Home over night. Occasionally Mr. Lincoln would go among the men and chat with them."
While serving in the Union army, John saved many of the letters written to him from home and wrote a series of day-to-day journal entries. Many of the letters and at least two of the journals were preserved by the family and came into the possession of his grandson, Paul Chandler Smith of Rock Rapids, Iowa. They have come to be known as "The Diary."
During the winter of 1955, Paul and his wife, Leah, undertook the task of transcribing the journals or diaries because the ink was rapidly fading, and they believed they would soon be illegible. They also included the letters from home in the transcription, in chronological order, and have provided for us an invaluable insight into the daily lives of both John and his family during the Civil War.
The following are entries taken from the diary kept by JFK during his period of enlistment. [All spelling, punctuation and capitalization are as found transcribed in the original.]
Journal #1
Wednesday, May 11, 1864 - Carried dispatches in the city all day. Went to Alexandria with a dispatch for General Briggs. Rained on me all the way coming back.
Thursday, May 12 - Carried dispatches in the city in the forenoon. Went to Camp Relief with a dispatch nine miles. Very heavy hail storm in the evening. Went to Camp Destitution with a dispatch in the night. Got back at one o'clock. Rained and thundered all the time.
Friday, May 13 - Carried dispatches in the city and went out to Camp Relief with a dispatch in the forenoon. Went to Leesburg Point in the afternoon...
Saturday, May 14 - Carried dispatches in the city all day...
Sunday, May 15 - Saw the 7th New York heavy artillery. 1800 men and the first Minnesota 2400 strong pass the city on their way to the front. Carried dispatches in the city. Had a fine buggy ride with a colonel. Went to Dean's stable after a horse and buggy. Felt lonesome and uneasy all day. Wish that I was at home.
Monday, May 16 - Went to the 6th street wharf. Saw a boatload of wounded soldiers. It was a sad looking sight to look at them. Carried dispatches the rest of the day. The hundred and sixty third Ohio militia on their way to the fort. Passed through the city. Took a walk in the city in the evening. Wrote a letter to Miss NI Eagler.
Tuesday, May 17 - Carried dispatches in the city all day. Rained some in the forenoon. Went to General Augur's at Georgetown with a dispatch. In the evening read some in my Bible.
Wednesday, May 18 - Review in the forenoon. Carried dispatches in the city. Started to Glyemont, Maryland, 40 miles at six o'clock in the evening. Got along very well. Went through fields, open gates with number, followed it down the river sometimes in the water up to the sides of the horse. Got to Glyemont at 3 o'clock. Went to bed and slept two hours.
Thursday, May 19 - Came back to Washington. Started at 7 o'clock and got back at 1 o'clock. Poorest country that I ever saw and the dumbest people that I ever met with anyplace. They hardly know what their own name is let alone the name of the place in which they live. And Slavery is the cause of it all. This the lower class in the slave states are worse than the negroes (sic). They look more like heathens than civilized people.
Friday, May 20 - Carried dispatches in the city afoot. Took a walk in the park in the evening. Finished my letter to Papa.
Saturday, May 21 - Very warm all day. Carried dispatches in the city. My horse has a sore back....Seen Old Abe riding out in his carriage...
Sunday, May 22 - Very warm. Rained some in the afternoon. I cooked for the mess. I got along very well. It is the first cooking to amount to anything. Everything seems to go wrong with me. In fact, it is not in my line of business though I guess that I will learn before I get home again. I have amost concluded that I will have to get me a wife before I get home again for they are an indispensable article. One that every man should have...
Saturday, June 11, 1864 - The weather is very pleasant. Carried dispatches in the city all day. I feel about as well as ever and I feel very Thankful to the Lord that I am as well as I am. I feel that my prayer has been answered in the restoration of my usual health and spirits. The 130th Ohio militia went through here on its way to the front. It marched up in the yard in front of the White House. And Uncle Abe made them a very nice and appropriate speech for which he thanked them in behalf of the government for their prompt response to call in behalf of the good of this country. It is the first time that I ever heard Mr. Lincoln speak. He looks care worn and frail...
Friday, July 1, 1864 - Weather comfortable and pleasant. Fine rain. Shower in the morning. Carried dispatches in the city all day. A detail of 20 men was made for the purpose of escorting the president out to the soldiers' home...
Wednesday, July 13 - General Banks corps arrived today from New Orleans. The rebels are retreating. They fell back 6 miles in front of Fort Stevens in the night. It is now thought that they are some fifteen thousand strong. Our men followed them up...I saw the battlefield in front of Fort Stevens and was out over it. The dead were all buried when I arrived. Saw a good many guns and cartridge boxes thrown away by the rebels...got a rebel canteen.
Tuesday, July 26 - Took down our bunks and washed them with hot water to kill the bed bugs which number by the thousands, and cleaned up everything and white-washed the inside of the barracks. Put the bunks up again - all done in the forenoon...
[Here John makes the comment, "one [won] the escort" and his duties appear to shift from dispatch to escort.]
Monday, August 29 - One the escort. Got a pass. Went with Morris and Baker over to the Washington monument to see the stones that were sent from the different states, also from nearly all parts of the world. Quite a curiosity to see them...
Tuesday, August 30 - Escort...had to wait a long time for the president...saw old Tom Corwin at the White House. The first time that I ever saw him. Went out to the soldier's home on a special detail for guard. Stood guard three hours...
Wednesday, August 31 - Came in with the escort in the morning. Stayed in all day and night...[John serves as escort and guard for the president for the next 30 days or so commenting on the 15th of September]… went to the B & Ohio depot in the evening with Old Abe to meet his wife. Late getting out to the soldier's home. [On the 18th]…Escort. Still mounted in the morning. More for show than anything.
Journal #2
Monday, April 3, 1865 - ...Richmond, Petersburg captured. Great excitement. Every body on a drunk...800 guns fired in the city and 100 at each fort in honor of the victory. Up at Gassaway's in the evening. Nearly everybody in the city drunk, which is a shame and a disgrace to the country. Everybody wild with excitement, and the word of the good news.
Tuesday, April 4 - ...All the public buildings and principal places in the city illuminated. One of the finest scenes in the world....
Friday, April 7 - ...Glorious news from the front. Capture six rebel generals and a great many prisoners. A salute of 200 guns fired in honor of the victory. The war will be over soon and then I shall go home to those that I love....
Monday, April 10 - Got up early. A salute of 200 guns fired in honor of the surrender of General Lee and his whole army, at 5 o'clock in the morning. Went up where they were firing the salute. A great deal of excitement on this full surrender of Lee and his army...
Tuesday, April 11 - ...Went once in the city to see the celebration, which was a great thing. Went to the White House to hear Old Abe speak but did not stay on account of the big push of the vast crowd. Helped to carry in ladder section so as to get on top of a building to see better...
Friday, April 14 - ...Great excitement in the city at 10 o'clock. Assassination of President Lincoln in Ford's theatre by a man supposed to be J.C. Booth. Also the Assassination of Secretary Seward and two sons. None of them are expected to live. Lincoln can not possibly live. Went to Major General Halleck with a dispatch for one of the boys who did not know the way. 425 rebel prisoners brought here and sent to Fort Warner. General Sewel, General Hunter listed and several other general officers. Grand torch light procession in the city.
Saturday, April 15 - But little to do. Offices, stores and shops closed. Great excitement. President Lincoln died this morning half past seven o'clock. The Sewards still living. Is thought that the old man and one his sons will live. Reported capture of Booth. The city draped in mourning. Light Guard escorted the remains of the president to the White House. Thus in no less than 24 hours has a great nation been turned from rejoicing to deep mourning for the loss of the first man in our nation. The like of which has no comparison in the annals of history...
Friday, April 21 - ...Spent the last of the dollar for papers about the assassination of the president...
Saturday, April 22 - ...Reported capture of Mobile confirmed...
Monday, April 24 - ...wish that I could be at home, but such can not now be the case, and I fear that it can not be very soon. I fear that I shall have to serve out the remainder of my time. I believe that my company will be kept for a guard for the president until war time is over. Now that one of the best men in the nation and the first in office has been murdered I feel that we will be kept to perform the duties for which we were enlisted, but hope not.
Wednesday, May 3 - ...Order for 600,000 discharges to be filled out ready.
Saturday, May 6 - ...Went to the depot to meet father, who came in on the 10:30 train. Did not know him, when I first met him. He looked so poor and care-worn. Oh how glad I was to see him. Can hardly realize that he is here with me. Came up on the street car, opened my trunk, found everything torn to pieces and a good many things spoiled. Sat up until midnight. Father feels quite poorly. I feel very sorry that he will work so hard.
Sunday, May 7 - Got up early. Wrote a letter to mother. A short letter to let her know that father had arrived here safely. Took a walk in the city with father in the morning and out in the pretty part of the city. Got a bottle of medicine for father. Came back. Pap laid down and took a nap. We went to the Sixth street wharf in the afternoon to see a boat load of wounded soldiers. Senator Meeker took us through the boat. Rode up in an ambulance to the office. Went to church in the new Wesley Chapel. I can hardly help from crying when I look at Pap. Can hardly realize that it is him. It is a great pleasure to have him here with me...
Wednesday, May 10 - ...Spent two hours in walking through the capitol and examining the principal parts of it. Went to the hall of congress both senate and representative. Also saw the fine oil paintings which interested father very much. Saw some very fine statues. Some of the paintings were as follows: the Baptism of Pocahontas, Signing of the Declaration of Independence, General Washington Resigning His Commission to Congress, Sailing of Columbus, Discovery of the Mississippi River and various others. Came from there to the government gardens where we spent a couple of hours very pleasantly looking at the different specimens of plants and shrubs from all parts of the world...
Thursday, May 11 - ...Pap and I went to the theatre Grover's to see Uncle Tom's cabin played, which was well done. Pap did not like it very well. The first time that he was ever at a theatre, and I suppose that it will be the last. The closing scene was truly grand and well represented liberty and the emancipation proclamation.
Friday, May 12 - Got up late. Pap and I went down town in the forenoon. Stopped at a clothing establishment to get a pair of pants for him. None large enough for him. Went to Golden's Photo gallery to get a dozen photos taken. $5. Dinner at the quarters. Got a horse and went to Alexandria. I held his horse while Pap went walking through the city - from there to Fairfax cemetery. Bailey's, Munson's Hill, Lexington Hill, Bables fortifications, up in the sight of Fall's Church, then to Arlington heights, then to Georgetown and home. Rode some 30 miles, saw several thousand men encamped, also the Fifth Corps which had marched from Richmond since last Saturday. The boys looked stout and hearty, and marched well...
Wednesday, May 17 - Pap gave me $20. Got my furlough and pay. $16 for transportation home. Spent 85 cents for oranges. 56 cents for riding on street car, 50 cents for trunk. Went to Gassaway's with Pap. Gassaway went to the depot with us. Took the 6:45 train to Baltimore and Harrisburg. Spent 20 cents for pies, gage plums, 60 cents...
Thursday, May 18 - Got to Pittsburgh at 1 o'clock. Got dinner at the soldier's restaurant....Got to [illegible] ...station at 11 p.m. Slept on the floor till morning and sound, too.
Friday, May 19 - Walked nearly all the way home…took the folks at home by surprise. Very glad to get home once more..." [The last entry in the second journal was dated Tuesday, May 30, 1865, and was written as John was preparing to return to Washington. His company was mustered out as a unit, September 9, 1865.]
Obituary (Undated clipping from an unidentified newspaper): "John Francis Kellar, son of Harrison and Catharine Kellar, was born August 10, 1842, in Noble County, Ohio. He was raised to manhood in Ohio and enlisted in the Seventh Company, Independent Ohio Cavalry in 1863 and served during the remainder of the War of the Rebellion. His company was detailed for some time as a bodyguard for President Abraham Lincoln, and Mr. Kellar was on duty in Washington the night of the assassination. He personally carried the message from the adjutant general to the army which was encamped at Alexandria. Among his prized possessions was a photograph of Lincoln given to him with other members of his company by the martyred president.
Following the War, Mr. Kellar moved with his family to Prole, Iowa, a short distance south of Des Moines and forty-two years ago moved to Nebraska, spending sixteen years on a farm near Steele City, five years as a resident of Lincoln, and the last twenty-one years of his life on a ranch near Crookston.
He is survived by his wife, Matilda J. Kellar, three daughters; Mrs. Carrie Backon of Ardmore, Oklahoma, Mrs. W.G. Smith of Rock Rapids, Iowa, Miss Venia M. Kellar who is Director of Domestic Science at the University of Maryland, and one son, E.M. Kellar of Crookston, Nebraska. Three brothers, Thomas, Henderson and William Kellar of Prole, Iowa; a sister, Mrs. Jennie Davis of Des Moines and eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren also survive him." Burial was made in Linn Grove Cemetery, Warren Co., IA.
The Kellar family first appears in Iowa in the 1870 Warren Co. census, Jefferson Twp., P.O. Linn Grove, Iowa. "Kellar, John, age 24 - Born Ohio; Lois, age 20 - Born Ohio; Carrie, age 20 [sic] Born Iowa." The age given for Carrie is incorrect; Carrie was age 2 and born in OH according to the Noble County Births, Vol. 1, p. 30.
Louis (Lois) was not yet eighteen when she married in Noble County, and within thirteen months she gave birth to their first daughter, Carrie. Her parents and John's remained behind in Ohio when she, John and Carrie moved to Prole, IA, where they show up in the 1870 census. His parents and family joined them in 1871.
Twenty-six months after Carrie's birth, Lois had twins, Jennie Lynn and Jessie, and twenty-seven months later, she bore James Harrison who died in his second month. Twelve months after James' birth, Frank Miles was born, and Lois died six days later, leaving John a widower with four children under the age of five and a half years. Eleven months later their baby, Frank, died, and John didn't remarry until April of 1878. Her gravestone in Linn Grove Cemetery reads: "Louis P. Kellar, d. Nov 21, 1873, age 24y 1m 11d, wife of John F."
John married Matilda, and years later both died intestate; no wills were filed. June 25, 1925, petition for Appointment of Administratrix was filed in the county court in and for Cherry County, NE, (Case #1216).
"In the Matter of the Estate of John Francis Kellar, deceased - Comes now Matilda J. Kellar...advises the Court that upon the 25th day of April, 1925, one John Francis Kellar, while a resident of Cherry County, Nebraska departed this life in Cherry County, Nebraska...died owning no real estate, but that he did die leaving personal property consisting of an undivided one half interest in about 60 head of cattle and a team of mules, a cow, calf and some other property...
Your applicant further says [he] died without leaving no will [sic] and without making any testamentary disposition of his property...both applicant and deceased were residents of Cherry County, Nebraska...said deceased died leaving as his heirs: Your applicant, Matilda J. Kellar, a widow. One Daughter Carey Backen (sic) aged 57 years, residing at Ardmore, Oklahoma. One Daughter Jessie Smith 55 years of age residing at Rock Rapids, Iowa. Two Grand Children who are the issue of a daughter Jennie Forbes deceased in the year 1920. Said grand children being Bessie Norby aged 32 years, residing at Warm Spring, Montana, also Preston Forbes, a grandson aged 24 years residing at Missoula, Montana.
Your applicant further says that the deceased John Francis Kellar also died leaving the following children and heirs which are the issue of the marriage between said deceased and your applicant to-wit: One Daughter Venia M. Kellar aged 44 years, residing at Washington D.C. One Son, Enoch M. Kellar aged 38 years residing at Crookston, Nebraska, and that there are no other or different heirs...Signed Matilda J. Kellar, 25th day of June, 1925. [All spelling and punctuation are as found in the original.]
JOHN FRANCIS4 KELLAR (BENJAMIN HARRISON3, MICHAEL2, MICHAEL1) was born 8/10/1842 in Morgan Co., OH and died 4/25/1925 in Hot Springs, Fall River Co., SD (Bible of Harrison & Catharine Miller Kellar). He married (1) LOUIS P. KRAPS 5/23/1867 in Noble Co., OH (Noble County Marriages 1851-1900), daughter of JOHN KRAPS and MARTHA MCNABB. She was born 7/10/1849 in Morgan Co., OH (Cemetery and Death Records of Warren County, Iowa), and died 11/21/1873 in Warren Co., IA. He married (2) MATILDA JANE SAYRE 4/4/1878 in Warren Co., IA, by H. [Harrison] Kellar, daughter of ENOCH SAYRE and ELIZABETH FELTON. She was born 5/15/1855, and died 11/29/1929 in Washington City, DC. (See Collateral Family Lines in APPENDICES for Descendants of Jediah Sayre.)
John Francis Kellar was a member of the Union Light Guard during the Civil War, and Robert W. McBride, 1st corporal and also company clerk of the Union Light Guard, presented a paper, "Lincoln's Body Guard - the Union Light Guard - the Seventh Independent Company of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, 1908," to the Century Club of Indianapolis, IN. The exact date of presentation is unknown, but some of the data is included here from the files of the Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, OH.
"The Union Light Guard, also known as the Seventh Independent Company of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, was organized by Ohio Governor David Todd during the months of November and December, 1863, for special service, the nature of which was not disclosed to the members of the Company until some time after it was mustered into service. Enlistment was for three years, or during the war; they were mustered into service at Columbus, Ohio, December 17, 1863. They left Columbus for Washington, DC, December 22, 1863, via Wheeling WV and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Arriving at Washington they reported to the Secretary of War and were assigned to barracks a few blocks southwest of the War Department. There they learned for the first time that they were to serve as bodyguard or mounted escort for President Lincoln.
Part of the company was assigned to duty at the White House while others were detailed to various points in and around Washington. Many were sent to the Virginia side of the river and were scattered among the forts defending Washington from a point opposite Georgetown to a point south of Alexandria.
During the summer months President Lincoln spent his nights at the Soldiers' Home near Washington and the company escorted him from the White House to the Home and returning. [He also carried dispatches which was a constant concern of his family back in Ohio.]
Taking the company as a whole, the membership was much above that of the average company of soldiers intellectually, morally, socially and physically. Originally it was intended that each Ohio county send two representatives, but some counties were slow to respond so that other counties were allowed to make up the deficiencies. There was 'bitter disappointment' when it was learned that they were condemned to 'inglorious inactivity,' and 'earnest efforts were made by members to have the company assigned to duty at the front where it could share in the activities and dangers of real warfare. These efforts elicited a stern reminder from the great War Secretary that a soldier's first duty was unquestioning obedience to the orders of his superiors…' They could not realize at the time 'the honor of having been specially chosen as the personal escort and bodyguard of one of the greatest of Americans and the greatest of men.'
The company had its share of unpleasant experiences which were best forgotten, and when its members returned to their homes after being mustered out, it is probable that a majority of them would have considered a blank page the best record of their war service. Especially so when they began to touch elbows with those who bore scars of battle and listen to their tales of 'camp and campaign.' However, those in active combat considered service as Lincoln's bodyguard to be one of great honor. One distinguished officer who had won honor in the field declared he would rather have been the captain of the Union Light Guard than a brigadier general in any other service.
The following text might have been of the words of John Francis as it was written by a non-commissioned officer of the Union Light Guard and read at the Century Club in Indianapolis [undated].
To those familiar with the city of Washington during the time of the Civil War it is not surprising that Lincoln was assassinated. The surprising thing to them was that it was so long delayed. It is probable that the only man in Washington who, if he thought upon the subject at all, did not think Mr. Lincoln was in danger was Mr. Lincoln himself. The city was filled with 'southern sympathizers' and could easily be entered by men from beyond the Rebel lines.
A company from a New York regiment of cavalry known as Scott's Nine Hundred was his original cavalry escort, but in 1863 Governor David Todd of Ohio tendered the services of a picked cavalry company from that state. His offer was accepted and in December of 1863 the company, 108 strong, reached Washington. The company was known as the Union Light Guard or Seventh Independent Squadron of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. From that time until it was mustered out of service on the 9th day of September 1865, it was the mounted escort or bodyguard of Abraham Lincoln and his successor in office.
Mr. Lincoln spent the summer of 1864 at the Soldier's Home, going out from the city in the evening and returning in the morning. A detachment of the guard accompanied him as his escort and remained at the Soldier's Home over night. Occasionally Mr. Lincoln would go among the men and chat with them."
While serving in the Union army, John saved many of the letters written to him from home and wrote a series of day-to-day journal entries. Many of the letters and at least two of the journals were preserved by the family and came into the possession of his grandson, Paul Chandler Smith of Rock Rapids, Iowa. They have come to be known as "The Diary."
During the winter of 1955, Paul and his wife, Leah, undertook the task of transcribing the journals or diaries because the ink was rapidly fading, and they believed they would soon be illegible. They also included the letters from home in the transcription, in chronological order, and have provided for us an invaluable insight into the daily lives of both John and his family during the Civil War.
The following are entries taken from the diary kept by JFK during his period of enlistment. [All spelling, punctuation and capitalization are as found transcribed in the original.]
Journal #1
Wednesday, May 11, 1864 - Carried dispatches in the city all day. Went to Alexandria with a dispatch for General Briggs. Rained on me all the way coming back.
Thursday, May 12 - Carried dispatches in the city in the forenoon. Went to Camp Relief with a dispatch nine miles. Very heavy hail storm in the evening. Went to Camp Destitution with a dispatch in the night. Got back at one o'clock. Rained and thundered all the time.
Friday, May 13 - Carried dispatches in the city and went out to Camp Relief with a dispatch in the forenoon. Went to Leesburg Point in the afternoon...
Saturday, May 14 - Carried dispatches in the city all day...
Sunday, May 15 - Saw the 7th New York heavy artillery. 1800 men and the first Minnesota 2400 strong pass the city on their way to the front. Carried dispatches in the city. Had a fine buggy ride with a colonel. Went to Dean's stable after a horse and buggy. Felt lonesome and uneasy all day. Wish that I was at home.
Monday, May 16 - Went to the 6th street wharf. Saw a boatload of wounded soldiers. It was a sad looking sight to look at them. Carried dispatches the rest of the day. The hundred and sixty third Ohio militia on their way to the fort. Passed through the city. Took a walk in the city in the evening. Wrote a letter to Miss NI Eagler.
Tuesday, May 17 - Carried dispatches in the city all day. Rained some in the forenoon. Went to General Augur's at Georgetown with a dispatch. In the evening read some in my Bible.
Wednesday, May 18 - Review in the forenoon. Carried dispatches in the city. Started to Glyemont, Maryland, 40 miles at six o'clock in the evening. Got along very well. Went through fields, open gates with number, followed it down the river sometimes in the water up to the sides of the horse. Got to Glyemont at 3 o'clock. Went to bed and slept two hours.
Thursday, May 19 - Came back to Washington. Started at 7 o'clock and got back at 1 o'clock. Poorest country that I ever saw and the dumbest people that I ever met with anyplace. They hardly know what their own name is let alone the name of the place in which they live. And Slavery is the cause of it all. This the lower class in the slave states are worse than the negroes (sic). They look more like heathens than civilized people.
Friday, May 20 - Carried dispatches in the city afoot. Took a walk in the park in the evening. Finished my letter to Papa.
Saturday, May 21 - Very warm all day. Carried dispatches in the city. My horse has a sore back....Seen Old Abe riding out in his carriage...
Sunday, May 22 - Very warm. Rained some in the afternoon. I cooked for the mess. I got along very well. It is the first cooking to amount to anything. Everything seems to go wrong with me. In fact, it is not in my line of business though I guess that I will learn before I get home again. I have amost concluded that I will have to get me a wife before I get home again for they are an indispensable article. One that every man should have...
Saturday, June 11, 1864 - The weather is very pleasant. Carried dispatches in the city all day. I feel about as well as ever and I feel very Thankful to the Lord that I am as well as I am. I feel that my prayer has been answered in the restoration of my usual health and spirits. The 130th Ohio militia went through here on its way to the front. It marched up in the yard in front of the White House. And Uncle Abe made them a very nice and appropriate speech for which he thanked them in behalf of the government for their prompt response to call in behalf of the good of this country. It is the first time that I ever heard Mr. Lincoln speak. He looks care worn and frail...
Friday, July 1, 1864 - Weather comfortable and pleasant. Fine rain. Shower in the morning. Carried dispatches in the city all day. A detail of 20 men was made for the purpose of escorting the president out to the soldiers' home...
Wednesday, July 13 - General Banks corps arrived today from New Orleans. The rebels are retreating. They fell back 6 miles in front of Fort Stevens in the night. It is now thought that they are some fifteen thousand strong. Our men followed them up...I saw the battlefield in front of Fort Stevens and was out over it. The dead were all buried when I arrived. Saw a good many guns and cartridge boxes thrown away by the rebels...got a rebel canteen.
Tuesday, July 26 - Took down our bunks and washed them with hot water to kill the bed bugs which number by the thousands, and cleaned up everything and white-washed the inside of the barracks. Put the bunks up again - all done in the forenoon...
[Here John makes the comment, "one [won] the escort" and his duties appear to shift from dispatch to escort.]
Monday, August 29 - One the escort. Got a pass. Went with Morris and Baker over to the Washington monument to see the stones that were sent from the different states, also from nearly all parts of the world. Quite a curiosity to see them...
Tuesday, August 30 - Escort...had to wait a long time for the president...saw old Tom Corwin at the White House. The first time that I ever saw him. Went out to the soldier's home on a special detail for guard. Stood guard three hours...
Wednesday, August 31 - Came in with the escort in the morning. Stayed in all day and night...[John serves as escort and guard for the president for the next 30 days or so commenting on the 15th of September]… went to the B & Ohio depot in the evening with Old Abe to meet his wife. Late getting out to the soldier's home. [On the 18th]…Escort. Still mounted in the morning. More for show than anything.
Journal #2
Monday, April 3, 1865 - ...Richmond, Petersburg captured. Great excitement. Every body on a drunk...800 guns fired in the city and 100 at each fort in honor of the victory. Up at Gassaway's in the evening. Nearly everybody in the city drunk, which is a shame and a disgrace to the country. Everybody wild with excitement, and the word of the good news.
Tuesday, April 4 - ...All the public buildings and principal places in the city illuminated. One of the finest scenes in the world....
Friday, April 7 - ...Glorious news from the front. Capture six rebel generals and a great many prisoners. A salute of 200 guns fired in honor of the victory. The war will be over soon and then I shall go home to those that I love....
Monday, April 10 - Got up early. A salute of 200 guns fired in honor of the surrender of General Lee and his whole army, at 5 o'clock in the morning. Went up where they were firing the salute. A great deal of excitement on this full surrender of Lee and his army...
Tuesday, April 11 - ...Went once in the city to see the celebration, which was a great thing. Went to the White House to hear Old Abe speak but did not stay on account of the big push of the vast crowd. Helped to carry in ladder section so as to get on top of a building to see better...
Friday, April 14 - ...Great excitement in the city at 10 o'clock. Assassination of President Lincoln in Ford's theatre by a man supposed to be J.C. Booth. Also the Assassination of Secretary Seward and two sons. None of them are expected to live. Lincoln can not possibly live. Went to Major General Halleck with a dispatch for one of the boys who did not know the way. 425 rebel prisoners brought here and sent to Fort Warner. General Sewel, General Hunter listed and several other general officers. Grand torch light procession in the city.
Saturday, April 15 - But little to do. Offices, stores and shops closed. Great excitement. President Lincoln died this morning half past seven o'clock. The Sewards still living. Is thought that the old man and one his sons will live. Reported capture of Booth. The city draped in mourning. Light Guard escorted the remains of the president to the White House. Thus in no less than 24 hours has a great nation been turned from rejoicing to deep mourning for the loss of the first man in our nation. The like of which has no comparison in the annals of history...
Friday, April 21 - ...Spent the last of the dollar for papers about the assassination of the president...
Saturday, April 22 - ...Reported capture of Mobile confirmed...
Monday, April 24 - ...wish that I could be at home, but such can not now be the case, and I fear that it can not be very soon. I fear that I shall have to serve out the remainder of my time. I believe that my company will be kept for a guard for the president until war time is over. Now that one of the best men in the nation and the first in office has been murdered I feel that we will be kept to perform the duties for which we were enlisted, but hope not.
Wednesday, May 3 - ...Order for 600,000 discharges to be filled out ready.
Saturday, May 6 - ...Went to the depot to meet father, who came in on the 10:30 train. Did not know him, when I first met him. He looked so poor and care-worn. Oh how glad I was to see him. Can hardly realize that he is here with me. Came up on the street car, opened my trunk, found everything torn to pieces and a good many things spoiled. Sat up until midnight. Father feels quite poorly. I feel very sorry that he will work so hard.
Sunday, May 7 - Got up early. Wrote a letter to mother. A short letter to let her know that father had arrived here safely. Took a walk in the city with father in the morning and out in the pretty part of the city. Got a bottle of medicine for father. Came back. Pap laid down and took a nap. We went to the Sixth street wharf in the afternoon to see a boat load of wounded soldiers. Senator Meeker took us through the boat. Rode up in an ambulance to the office. Went to church in the new Wesley Chapel. I can hardly help from crying when I look at Pap. Can hardly realize that it is him. It is a great pleasure to have him here with me...
Wednesday, May 10 - ...Spent two hours in walking through the capitol and examining the principal parts of it. Went to the hall of congress both senate and representative. Also saw the fine oil paintings which interested father very much. Saw some very fine statues. Some of the paintings were as follows: the Baptism of Pocahontas, Signing of the Declaration of Independence, General Washington Resigning His Commission to Congress, Sailing of Columbus, Discovery of the Mississippi River and various others. Came from there to the government gardens where we spent a couple of hours very pleasantly looking at the different specimens of plants and shrubs from all parts of the world...
Thursday, May 11 - ...Pap and I went to the theatre Grover's to see Uncle Tom's cabin played, which was well done. Pap did not like it very well. The first time that he was ever at a theatre, and I suppose that it will be the last. The closing scene was truly grand and well represented liberty and the emancipation proclamation.
Friday, May 12 - Got up late. Pap and I went down town in the forenoon. Stopped at a clothing establishment to get a pair of pants for him. None large enough for him. Went to Golden's Photo gallery to get a dozen photos taken. $5. Dinner at the quarters. Got a horse and went to Alexandria. I held his horse while Pap went walking through the city - from there to Fairfax cemetery. Bailey's, Munson's Hill, Lexington Hill, Bables fortifications, up in the sight of Fall's Church, then to Arlington heights, then to Georgetown and home. Rode some 30 miles, saw several thousand men encamped, also the Fifth Corps which had marched from Richmond since last Saturday. The boys looked stout and hearty, and marched well...
Wednesday, May 17 - Pap gave me $20. Got my furlough and pay. $16 for transportation home. Spent 85 cents for oranges. 56 cents for riding on street car, 50 cents for trunk. Went to Gassaway's with Pap. Gassaway went to the depot with us. Took the 6:45 train to Baltimore and Harrisburg. Spent 20 cents for pies, gage plums, 60 cents...
Thursday, May 18 - Got to Pittsburgh at 1 o'clock. Got dinner at the soldier's restaurant....Got to [illegible] ...station at 11 p.m. Slept on the floor till morning and sound, too.
Friday, May 19 - Walked nearly all the way home…took the folks at home by surprise. Very glad to get home once more..." [The last entry in the second journal was dated Tuesday, May 30, 1865, and was written as John was preparing to return to Washington. His company was mustered out as a unit, September 9, 1865.]
Obituary (Undated clipping from an unidentified newspaper): "John Francis Kellar, son of Harrison and Catharine Kellar, was born August 10, 1842, in Noble County, Ohio. He was raised to manhood in Ohio and enlisted in the Seventh Company, Independent Ohio Cavalry in 1863 and served during the remainder of the War of the Rebellion. His company was detailed for some time as a bodyguard for President Abraham Lincoln, and Mr. Kellar was on duty in Washington the night of the assassination. He personally carried the message from the adjutant general to the army which was encamped at Alexandria. Among his prized possessions was a photograph of Lincoln given to him with other members of his company by the martyred president.
Following the War, Mr. Kellar moved with his family to Prole, Iowa, a short distance south of Des Moines and forty-two years ago moved to Nebraska, spending sixteen years on a farm near Steele City, five years as a resident of Lincoln, and the last twenty-one years of his life on a ranch near Crookston.
He is survived by his wife, Matilda J. Kellar, three daughters; Mrs. Carrie Backon of Ardmore, Oklahoma, Mrs. W.G. Smith of Rock Rapids, Iowa, Miss Venia M. Kellar who is Director of Domestic Science at the University of Maryland, and one son, E.M. Kellar of Crookston, Nebraska. Three brothers, Thomas, Henderson and William Kellar of Prole, Iowa; a sister, Mrs. Jennie Davis of Des Moines and eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren also survive him." Burial was made in Linn Grove Cemetery, Warren Co., IA.
The Kellar family first appears in Iowa in the 1870 Warren Co. census, Jefferson Twp., P.O. Linn Grove, Iowa. "Kellar, John, age 24 - Born Ohio; Lois, age 20 - Born Ohio; Carrie, age 20 [sic] Born Iowa." The age given for Carrie is incorrect; Carrie was age 2 and born in OH according to the Noble County Births, Vol. 1, p. 30.
Louis (Lois) was not yet eighteen when she married in Noble County, and within thirteen months she gave birth to their first daughter, Carrie. Her parents and John's remained behind in Ohio when she, John and Carrie moved to Prole, IA, where they show up in the 1870 census. His parents and family joined them in 1871.
Twenty-six months after Carrie's birth, Lois had twins, Jennie Lynn and Jessie, and twenty-seven months later, she bore James Harrison who died in his second month. Twelve months after James' birth, Frank Miles was born, and Lois died six days later, leaving John a widower with four children under the age of five and a half years. Eleven months later their baby, Frank, died, and John didn't remarry until April of 1878. Her gravestone in Linn Grove Cemetery reads: "Louis P. Kellar, d. Nov 21, 1873, age 24y 1m 11d, wife of John F."
John married Matilda, and years later both died intestate; no wills were filed. June 25, 1925, petition for Appointment of Administratrix was filed in the county court in and for Cherry County, NE, (Case #1216).
"In the Matter of the Estate of John Francis Kellar, deceased - Comes now Matilda J. Kellar...advises the Court that upon the 25th day of April, 1925, one John Francis Kellar, while a resident of Cherry County, Nebraska departed this life in Cherry County, Nebraska...died owning no real estate, but that he did die leaving personal property consisting of an undivided one half interest in about 60 head of cattle and a team of mules, a cow, calf and some other property...
Your applicant further says [he] died without leaving no will [sic] and without making any testamentary disposition of his property...both applicant and deceased were residents of Cherry County, Nebraska...said deceased died leaving as his heirs: Your applicant, Matilda J. Kellar, a widow. One Daughter Carey Backen (sic) aged 57 years, residing at Ardmore, Oklahoma. One Daughter Jessie Smith 55 years of age residing at Rock Rapids, Iowa. Two Grand Children who are the issue of a daughter Jennie Forbes deceased in the year 1920. Said grand children being Bessie Norby aged 32 years, residing at Warm Spring, Montana, also Preston Forbes, a grandson aged 24 years residing at Missoula, Montana.
Your applicant further says that the deceased John Francis Kellar also died leaving the following children and heirs which are the issue of the marriage between said deceased and your applicant to-wit: One Daughter Venia M. Kellar aged 44 years, residing at Washington D.C. One Son, Enoch M. Kellar aged 38 years residing at Crookston, Nebraska, and that there are no other or different heirs...Signed Matilda J. Kellar, 25th day of June, 1925. [All spelling and punctuation are as found in the original.]
Ratcliffe, Susan Kellar (AUTHOR); Michael Kellar and Catharine Monroe of Fairfax County, Virginia - Their Family and Descendants - 1760/2002. Pages 97-101.
JOHN FRANCIS4 KELLAR (BENJAMIN HARRISON3, MICHAEL2, MICHAEL1) was born 8/10/1842 in Morgan Co., OH and died 4/25/1925 in Hot Springs, Fall River Co., SD (Bible of Harrison & Catharine Miller Kellar). He married (1) LOUIS P. KRAPS 5/23/1867 in Noble Co., OH (Noble County Marriages 1851-1900), daughter of JOHN KRAPS and MARTHA MCNABB. She was born 7/10/1849 in Morgan Co., OH (Cemetery and Death Records of Warren County, Iowa), and died 11/21/1873 in Warren Co., IA. He married (2) MATILDA JANE SAYRE 4/4/1878 in Warren Co., IA, by H. [Harrison] Kellar, daughter of ENOCH SAYRE and ELIZABETH FELTON. She was born 5/15/1855, and died 11/29/1929 in Washington City, DC. (See Collateral Family Lines in APPENDICES for Descendants of Jediah Sayre.)
John Francis Kellar was a member of the Union Light Guard during the Civil War, and Robert W. McBride, 1st corporal and also company clerk of the Union Light Guard, presented a paper, "Lincoln's Body Guard - the Union Light Guard - the Seventh Independent Company of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, 1908," to the Century Club of Indianapolis, IN. The exact date of presentation is unknown, but some of the data is included here from the files of the Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, OH.
"The Union Light Guard, also known as the Seventh Independent Company of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, was organized by Ohio Governor David Todd during the months of November and December, 1863, for special service, the nature of which was not disclosed to the members of the Company until some time after it was mustered into service. Enlistment was for three years, or during the war; they were mustered into service at Columbus, Ohio, December 17, 1863. They left Columbus for Washington, DC, December 22, 1863, via Wheeling WV and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Arriving at Washington they reported to the Secretary of War and were assigned to barracks a few blocks southwest of the War Department. There they learned for the first time that they were to serve as bodyguard or mounted escort for President Lincoln.
Part of the company was assigned to duty at the White House while others were detailed to various points in and around Washington. Many were sent to the Virginia side of the river and were scattered among the forts defending Washington from a point opposite Georgetown to a point south of Alexandria.
During the summer months President Lincoln spent his nights at the Soldiers' Home near Washington and the company escorted him from the White House to the Home and returning. [He also carried dispatches which was a constant concern of his family back in Ohio.]
Taking the company as a whole, the membership was much above that of the average company of soldiers intellectually, morally, socially and physically. Originally it was intended that each Ohio county send two representatives, but some counties were slow to respond so that other counties were allowed to make up the deficiencies. There was 'bitter disappointment' when it was learned that they were condemned to 'inglorious inactivity,' and 'earnest efforts were made by members to have the company assigned to duty at the front where it could share in the activities and dangers of real warfare. These efforts elicited a stern reminder from the great War Secretary that a soldier's first duty was unquestioning obedience to the orders of his superiors…' They could not realize at the time 'the honor of having been specially chosen as the personal escort and bodyguard of one of the greatest of Americans and the greatest of men.'
The company had its share of unpleasant experiences which were best forgotten, and when its members returned to their homes after being mustered out, it is probable that a majority of them would have considered a blank page the best record of their war service. Especially so when they began to touch elbows with those who bore scars of battle and listen to their tales of 'camp and campaign.' However, those in active combat considered service as Lincoln's bodyguard to be one of great honor. One distinguished officer who had won honor in the field declared he would rather have been the captain of the Union Light Guard than a brigadier general in any other service.
The following text might have been of the words of John Francis as it was written by a non-commissioned officer of the Union Light Guard and read at the Century Club in Indianapolis [undated].
To those familiar with the city of Washington during the time of the Civil War it is not surprising that Lincoln was assassinated. The surprising thing to them was that it was so long delayed. It is probable that the only man in Washington who, if he thought upon the subject at all, did not think Mr. Lincoln was in danger was Mr. Lincoln himself. The city was filled with 'southern sympathizers' and could easily be entered by men from beyond the Rebel lines.
A company from a New York regiment of cavalry known as Scott's Nine Hundred was his original cavalry escort, but in 1863 Governor David Todd of Ohio tendered the services of a picked cavalry company from that state. His offer was accepted and in December of 1863 the company, 108 strong, reached Washington. The company was known as the Union Light Guard or Seventh Independent Squadron of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. From that time until it was mustered out of service on the 9th day of September 1865, it was the mounted escort or bodyguard of Abraham Lincoln and his successor in office.
Mr. Lincoln spent the summer of 1864 at the Soldier's Home, going out from the city in the evening and returning in the morning. A detachment of the guard accompanied him as his escort and remained at the Soldier's Home over night. Occasionally Mr. Lincoln would go among the men and chat with them."
While serving in the Union army, John saved many of the letters written to him from home and wrote a series of day-to-day journal entries. Many of the letters and at least two of the journals were preserved by the family and came into the possession of his grandson, Paul Chandler Smith of Rock Rapids, Iowa. They have come to be known as "The Diary."
During the winter of 1955, Paul and his wife, Leah, undertook the task of transcribing the journals or diaries because the ink was rapidly fading, and they believed they would soon be illegible. They also included the letters from home in the transcription, in chronological order, and have provided for us an invaluable insight into the daily lives of both John and his family during the Civil War.
The following are entries taken from the diary kept by JFK during his period of enlistment. [All spelling, punctuation and capitalization are as found transcribed in the original.]
Journal #1
Wednesday, May 11, 1864 - Carried dispatches in the city all day. Went to Alexandria with a dispatch for General Briggs. Rained on me all the way coming back.
Thursday, May 12 - Carried dispatches in the city in the forenoon. Went to Camp Relief with a dispatch nine miles. Very heavy hail storm in the evening. Went to Camp Destitution with a dispatch in the night. Got back at one o'clock. Rained and thundered all the time.
Friday, May 13 - Carried dispatches in the city and went out to Camp Relief with a dispatch in the forenoon. Went to Leesburg Point in the afternoon...
Saturday, May 14 - Carried dispatches in the city all day...
Sunday, May 15 - Saw the 7th New York heavy artillery. 1800 men and the first Minnesota 2400 strong pass the city on their way to the front. Carried dispatches in the city. Had a fine buggy ride with a colonel. Went to Dean's stable after a horse and buggy. Felt lonesome and uneasy all day. Wish that I was at home.
Monday, May 16 - Went to the 6th street wharf. Saw a boatload of wounded soldiers. It was a sad looking sight to look at them. Carried dispatches the rest of the day. The hundred and sixty third Ohio militia on their way to the fort. Passed through the city. Took a walk in the city in the evening. Wrote a letter to Miss NI Eagler.
Tuesday, May 17 - Carried dispatches in the city all day. Rained some in the forenoon. Went to General Augur's at Georgetown with a dispatch. In the evening read some in my Bible.
Wednesday, May 18 - Review in the forenoon. Carried dispatches in the city. Started to Glyemont, Maryland, 40 miles at six o'clock in the evening. Got along very well. Went through fields, open gates with number, followed it down the river sometimes in the water up to the sides of the horse. Got to Glyemont at 3 o'clock. Went to bed and slept two hours.
Thursday, May 19 - Came back to Washington. Started at 7 o'clock and got back at 1 o'clock. Poorest country that I ever saw and the dumbest people that I ever met with anyplace. They hardly know what their own name is let alone the name of the place in which they live. And Slavery is the cause of it all. This the lower class in the slave states are worse than the negroes (sic). They look more like heathens than civilized people.
Friday, May 20 - Carried dispatches in the city afoot. Took a walk in the park in the evening. Finished my letter to Papa.
Saturday, May 21 - Very warm all day. Carried dispatches in the city. My horse has a sore back....Seen Old Abe riding out in his carriage...
Sunday, May 22 - Very warm. Rained some in the afternoon. I cooked for the mess. I got along very well. It is the first cooking to amount to anything. Everything seems to go wrong with me. In fact, it is not in my line of business though I guess that I will learn before I get home again. I have amost concluded that I will have to get me a wife before I get home again for they are an indispensable article. One that every man should have...
Saturday, June 11, 1864 - The weather is very pleasant. Carried dispatches in the city all day. I feel about as well as ever and I feel very Thankful to the Lord that I am as well as I am. I feel that my prayer has been answered in the restoration of my usual health and spirits. The 130th Ohio militia went through here on its way to the front. It marched up in the yard in front of the White House. And Uncle Abe made them a very nice and appropriate speech for which he thanked them in behalf of the government for their prompt response to call in behalf of the good of this country. It is the first time that I ever heard Mr. Lincoln speak. He looks care worn and frail...
Friday, July 1, 1864 - Weather comfortable and pleasant. Fine rain. Shower in the morning. Carried dispatches in the city all day. A detail of 20 men was made for the purpose of escorting the president out to the soldiers' home...
Wednesday, July 13 - General Banks corps arrived today from New Orleans. The rebels are retreating. They fell back 6 miles in front of Fort Stevens in the night. It is now thought that they are some fifteen thousand strong. Our men followed them up...I saw the battlefield in front of Fort Stevens and was out over it. The dead were all buried when I arrived. Saw a good many guns and cartridge boxes thrown away by the rebels...got a rebel canteen.
Tuesday, July 26 - Took down our bunks and washed them with hot water to kill the bed bugs which number by the thousands, and cleaned up everything and white-washed the inside of the barracks. Put the bunks up again - all done in the forenoon...
[Here John makes the comment, "one [won] the escort" and his duties appear to shift from dispatch to escort.]
Monday, August 29 - One the escort. Got a pass. Went with Morris and Baker over to the Washington monument to see the stones that were sent from the different states, also from nearly all parts of the world. Quite a curiosity to see them...
Tuesday, August 30 - Escort...had to wait a long time for the president...saw old Tom Corwin at the White House. The first time that I ever saw him. Went out to the soldier's home on a special detail for guard. Stood guard three hours...
Wednesday, August 31 - Came in with the escort in the morning. Stayed in all day and night...[John serves as escort and guard for the president for the next 30 days or so commenting on the 15th of September]… went to the B & Ohio depot in the evening with Old Abe to meet his wife. Late getting out to the soldier's home. [On the 18th]…Escort. Still mounted in the morning. More for show than anything.
Journal #2
Monday, April 3, 1865 - ...Richmond, Petersburg captured. Great excitement. Every body on a drunk...800 guns fired in the city and 100 at each fort in honor of the victory. Up at Gassaway's in the evening. Nearly everybody in the city drunk, which is a shame and a disgrace to the country. Everybody wild with excitement, and the word of the good news.
Tuesday, April 4 - ...All the public buildings and principal places in the city illuminated. One of the finest scenes in the world....
Friday, April 7 - ...Glorious news from the front. Capture six rebel generals and a great many prisoners. A salute of 200 guns fired in honor of the victory. The war will be over soon and then I shall go home to those that I love....
Monday, April 10 - Got up early. A salute of 200 guns fired in honor of the surrender of General Lee and his whole army, at 5 o'clock in the morning. Went up where they were firing the salute. A great deal of excitement on this full surrender of Lee and his army...
Tuesday, April 11 - ...Went once in the city to see the celebration, which was a great thing. Went to the White House to hear Old Abe speak but did not stay on account of the big push of the vast crowd. Helped to carry in ladder section so as to get on top of a building to see better...
Friday, April 14 - ...Great excitement in the city at 10 o'clock. Assassination of President Lincoln in Ford's theatre by a man supposed to be J.C. Booth. Also the Assassination of Secretary Seward and two sons. None of them are expected to live. Lincoln can not possibly live. Went to Major General Halleck with a dispatch for one of the boys who did not know the way. 425 rebel prisoners brought here and sent to Fort Warner. General Sewel, General Hunter listed and several other general officers. Grand torch light procession in the city.
Saturday, April 15 - But little to do. Offices, stores and shops closed. Great excitement. President Lincoln died this morning half past seven o'clock. The Sewards still living. Is thought that the old man and one his sons will live. Reported capture of Booth. The city draped in mourning. Light Guard escorted the remains of the president to the White House. Thus in no less than 24 hours has a great nation been turned from rejoicing to deep mourning for the loss of the first man in our nation. The like of which has no comparison in the annals of history...
Friday, April 21 - ...Spent the last of the dollar for papers about the assassination of the president...
Saturday, April 22 - ...Reported capture of Mobile confirmed...
Monday, April 24 - ...wish that I could be at home, but such can not now be the case, and I fear that it can not be very soon. I fear that I shall have to serve out the remainder of my time. I believe that my company will be kept for a guard for the president until war time is over. Now that one of the best men in the nation and the first in office has been murdered I feel that we will be kept to perform the duties for which we were enlisted, but hope not.
Wednesday, May 3 - ...Order for 600,000 discharges to be filled out ready.
Saturday, May 6 - ...Went to the depot to meet father, who came in on the 10:30 train. Did not know him, when I first met him. He looked so poor and care-worn. Oh how glad I was to see him. Can hardly realize that he is here with me. Came up on the street car, opened my trunk, found everything torn to pieces and a good many things spoiled. Sat up until midnight. Father feels quite poorly. I feel very sorry that he will work so hard.
Sunday, May 7 - Got up early. Wrote a letter to mother. A short letter to let her know that father had arrived here safely. Took a walk in the city with father in the morning and out in the pretty part of the city. Got a bottle of medicine for father. Came back. Pap laid down and took a nap. We went to the Sixth street wharf in the afternoon to see a boat load of wounded soldiers. Senator Meeker took us through the boat. Rode up in an ambulance to the office. Went to church in the new Wesley Chapel. I can hardly help from crying when I look at Pap. Can hardly realize that it is him. It is a great pleasure to have him here with me...
Wednesday, May 10 - ...Spent two hours in walking through the capitol and examining the principal parts of it. Went to the hall of congress both senate and representative. Also saw the fine oil paintings which interested father very much. Saw some very fine statues. Some of the paintings were as follows: the Baptism of Pocahontas, Signing of the Declaration of Independence, General Washington Resigning His Commission to Congress, Sailing of Columbus, Discovery of the Mississippi River and various others. Came from there to the government gardens where we spent a couple of hours very pleasantly looking at the different specimens of plants and shrubs from all parts of the world...
Thursday, May 11 - ...Pap and I went to the theatre Grover's to see Uncle Tom's cabin played, which was well done. Pap did not like it very well. The first time that he was ever at a theatre, and I suppose that it will be the last. The closing scene was truly grand and well represented liberty and the emancipation proclamation.
Friday, May 12 - Got up late. Pap and I went down town in the forenoon. Stopped at a clothing establishment to get a pair of pants for him. None large enough for him. Went to Golden's Photo gallery to get a dozen photos taken. $5. Dinner at the quarters. Got a horse and went to Alexandria. I held his horse while Pap went walking through the city - from there to Fairfax cemetery. Bailey's, Munson's Hill, Lexington Hill, Bables fortifications, up in the sight of Fall's Church, then to Arlington heights, then to Georgetown and home. Rode some 30 miles, saw several thousand men encamped, also the Fifth Corps which had marched from Richmond since last Saturday. The boys looked stout and hearty, and marched well...
Wednesday, May 17 - Pap gave me $20. Got my furlough and pay. $16 for transportation home. Spent 85 cents for oranges. 56 cents for riding on street car, 50 cents for trunk. Went to Gassaway's with Pap. Gassaway went to the depot with us. Took the 6:45 train to Baltimore and Harrisburg. Spent 20 cents for pies, gage plums, 60 cents...
Thursday, May 18 - Got to Pittsburgh at 1 o'clock. Got dinner at the soldier's restaurant....Got to [illegible] ...station at 11 p.m. Slept on the floor till morning and sound, too.
Friday, May 19 - Walked nearly all the way home…took the folks at home by surprise. Very glad to get home once more..." [The last entry in the second journal was dated Tuesday, May 30, 1865, and was written as John was preparing to return to Washington. His company was mustered out as a unit, September 9, 1865.]
Obituary (Undated clipping from an unidentified newspaper): "John Francis Kellar, son of Harrison and Catharine Kellar, was born August 10, 1842, in Noble County, Ohio. He was raised to manhood in Ohio and enlisted in the Seventh Company, Independent Ohio Cavalry in 1863 and served during the remainder of the War of the Rebellion. His company was detailed for some time as a bodyguard for President Abraham Lincoln, and Mr. Kellar was on duty in Washington the night of the assassination. He personally carried the message from the adjutant general to the army which was encamped at Alexandria. Among his prized possessions was a photograph of Lincoln given to him with other members of his company by the martyred president.
Following the War, Mr. Kellar moved with his family to Prole, Iowa, a short distance south of Des Moines and forty-two years ago moved to Nebraska, spending sixteen years on a farm near Steele City, five years as a resident of Lincoln, and the last twenty-one years of his life on a ranch near Crookston.
He is survived by his wife, Matilda J. Kellar, three daughters; Mrs. Carrie Backon of Ardmore, Oklahoma, Mrs. W.G. Smith of Rock Rapids, Iowa, Miss Venia M. Kellar who is Director of Domestic Science at the University of Maryland, and one son, E.M. Kellar of Crookston, Nebraska. Three brothers, Thomas, Henderson and William Kellar of Prole, Iowa; a sister, Mrs. Jennie Davis of Des Moines and eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren also survive him." Burial was made in Linn Grove Cemetery, Warren Co., IA.
The Kellar family first appears in Iowa in the 1870 Warren Co. census, Jefferson Twp., P.O. Linn Grove, Iowa. "Kellar, John, age 24 - Born Ohio; Lois, age 20 - Born Ohio; Carrie, age 20 [sic] Born Iowa." The age given for Carrie is incorrect; Carrie was age 2 and born in OH according to the Noble County Births, Vol. 1, p. 30.
Louis (Lois) was not yet eighteen when she married in Noble County, and within thirteen months she gave birth to their first daughter, Carrie. Her parents and John's remained behind in Ohio when she, John and Carrie moved to Prole, IA, where they show up in the 1870 census. His parents and family joined them in 1871.
Twenty-six months after Carrie's birth, Lois had twins, Jennie Lynn and Jessie, and twenty-seven months later, she bore James Harrison who died in his second month. Twelve months after James' birth, Frank Miles was born, and Lois died six days later, leaving John a widower with four children under the age of five and a half years. Eleven months later their baby, Frank, died, and John didn't remarry until April of 1878. Her gravestone in Linn Grove Cemetery reads: "Louis P. Kellar, d. Nov 21, 1873, age 24y 1m 11d, wife of John F."
John married Matilda, and years later both died intestate; no wills were filed. June 25, 1925, petition for Appointment of Administratrix was filed in the county court in and for Cherry County, NE, (Case #1216).
"In the Matter of the Estate of John Francis Kellar, deceased - Comes now Matilda J. Kellar...advises the Court that upon the 25th day of April, 1925, one John Francis Kellar, while a resident of Cherry County, Nebraska departed this life in Cherry County, Nebraska...died owning no real estate, but that he did die leaving personal property consisting of an undivided one half interest in about 60 head of cattle and a team of mules, a cow, calf and some other property...
Your applicant further says [he] died without leaving no will [sic] and without making any testamentary disposition of his property...both applicant and deceased were residents of Cherry County, Nebraska...said deceased died leaving as his heirs: Your applicant, Matilda J. Kellar, a widow. One Daughter Carey Backen (sic) aged 57 years, residing at Ardmore, Oklahoma. One Daughter Jessie Smith 55 years of age residing at Rock Rapids, Iowa. Two Grand Children who are the issue of a daughter Jennie Forbes deceased in the year 1920. Said grand children being Bessie Norby aged 32 years, residing at Warm Spring, Montana, also Preston Forbes, a grandson aged 24 years residing at Missoula, Montana.
Your applicant further says that the deceased John Francis Kellar also died leaving the following children and heirs which are the issue of the marriage between said deceased and your applicant to-wit: One Daughter Venia M. Kellar aged 44 years, residing at Washington D.C. One Son, Enoch M. Kellar aged 38 years residing at Crookston, Nebraska, and that there are no other or different heirs...Signed Matilda J. Kellar, 25th day of June, 1925. [All spelling and punctuation are as found in the original.]
JOHN FRANCIS4 KELLAR (BENJAMIN HARRISON3, MICHAEL2, MICHAEL1) was born 8/10/1842 in Morgan Co., OH and died 4/25/1925 in Hot Springs, Fall River Co., SD (Bible of Harrison & Catharine Miller Kellar). He married (1) LOUIS P. KRAPS 5/23/1867 in Noble Co., OH (Noble County Marriages 1851-1900), daughter of JOHN KRAPS and MARTHA MCNABB. She was born 7/10/1849 in Morgan Co., OH (Cemetery and Death Records of Warren County, Iowa), and died 11/21/1873 in Warren Co., IA. He married (2) MATILDA JANE SAYRE 4/4/1878 in Warren Co., IA, by H. [Harrison] Kellar, daughter of ENOCH SAYRE and ELIZABETH FELTON. She was born 5/15/1855, and died 11/29/1929 in Washington City, DC. (See Collateral Family Lines in APPENDICES for Descendants of Jediah Sayre.)
John Francis Kellar was a member of the Union Light Guard during the Civil War, and Robert W. McBride, 1st corporal and also company clerk of the Union Light Guard, presented a paper, "Lincoln's Body Guard - the Union Light Guard - the Seventh Independent Company of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, 1908," to the Century Club of Indianapolis, IN. The exact date of presentation is unknown, but some of the data is included here from the files of the Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, OH.
"The Union Light Guard, also known as the Seventh Independent Company of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, was organized by Ohio Governor David Todd during the months of November and December, 1863, for special service, the nature of which was not disclosed to the members of the Company until some time after it was mustered into service. Enlistment was for three years, or during the war; they were mustered into service at Columbus, Ohio, December 17, 1863. They left Columbus for Washington, DC, December 22, 1863, via Wheeling WV and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Arriving at Washington they reported to the Secretary of War and were assigned to barracks a few blocks southwest of the War Department. There they learned for the first time that they were to serve as bodyguard or mounted escort for President Lincoln.
Part of the company was assigned to duty at the White House while others were detailed to various points in and around Washington. Many were sent to the Virginia side of the river and were scattered among the forts defending Washington from a point opposite Georgetown to a point south of Alexandria.
During the summer months President Lincoln spent his nights at the Soldiers' Home near Washington and the company escorted him from the White House to the Home and returning. [He also carried dispatches which was a constant concern of his family back in Ohio.]
Taking the company as a whole, the membership was much above that of the average company of soldiers intellectually, morally, socially and physically. Originally it was intended that each Ohio county send two representatives, but some counties were slow to respond so that other counties were allowed to make up the deficiencies. There was 'bitter disappointment' when it was learned that they were condemned to 'inglorious inactivity,' and 'earnest efforts were made by members to have the company assigned to duty at the front where it could share in the activities and dangers of real warfare. These efforts elicited a stern reminder from the great War Secretary that a soldier's first duty was unquestioning obedience to the orders of his superiors…' They could not realize at the time 'the honor of having been specially chosen as the personal escort and bodyguard of one of the greatest of Americans and the greatest of men.'
The company had its share of unpleasant experiences which were best forgotten, and when its members returned to their homes after being mustered out, it is probable that a majority of them would have considered a blank page the best record of their war service. Especially so when they began to touch elbows with those who bore scars of battle and listen to their tales of 'camp and campaign.' However, those in active combat considered service as Lincoln's bodyguard to be one of great honor. One distinguished officer who had won honor in the field declared he would rather have been the captain of the Union Light Guard than a brigadier general in any other service.
The following text might have been of the words of John Francis as it was written by a non-commissioned officer of the Union Light Guard and read at the Century Club in Indianapolis [undated].
To those familiar with the city of Washington during the time of the Civil War it is not surprising that Lincoln was assassinated. The surprising thing to them was that it was so long delayed. It is probable that the only man in Washington who, if he thought upon the subject at all, did not think Mr. Lincoln was in danger was Mr. Lincoln himself. The city was filled with 'southern sympathizers' and could easily be entered by men from beyond the Rebel lines.
A company from a New York regiment of cavalry known as Scott's Nine Hundred was his original cavalry escort, but in 1863 Governor David Todd of Ohio tendered the services of a picked cavalry company from that state. His offer was accepted and in December of 1863 the company, 108 strong, reached Washington. The company was known as the Union Light Guard or Seventh Independent Squadron of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. From that time until it was mustered out of service on the 9th day of September 1865, it was the mounted escort or bodyguard of Abraham Lincoln and his successor in office.
Mr. Lincoln spent the summer of 1864 at the Soldier's Home, going out from the city in the evening and returning in the morning. A detachment of the guard accompanied him as his escort and remained at the Soldier's Home over night. Occasionally Mr. Lincoln would go among the men and chat with them."
While serving in the Union army, John saved many of the letters written to him from home and wrote a series of day-to-day journal entries. Many of the letters and at least two of the journals were preserved by the family and came into the possession of his grandson, Paul Chandler Smith of Rock Rapids, Iowa. They have come to be known as "The Diary."
During the winter of 1955, Paul and his wife, Leah, undertook the task of transcribing the journals or diaries because the ink was rapidly fading, and they believed they would soon be illegible. They also included the letters from home in the transcription, in chronological order, and have provided for us an invaluable insight into the daily lives of both John and his family during the Civil War.
The following are entries taken from the diary kept by JFK during his period of enlistment. [All spelling, punctuation and capitalization are as found transcribed in the original.]
Journal #1
Wednesday, May 11, 1864 - Carried dispatches in the city all day. Went to Alexandria with a dispatch for General Briggs. Rained on me all the way coming back.
Thursday, May 12 - Carried dispatches in the city in the forenoon. Went to Camp Relief with a dispatch nine miles. Very heavy hail storm in the evening. Went to Camp Destitution with a dispatch in the night. Got back at one o'clock. Rained and thundered all the time.
Friday, May 13 - Carried dispatches in the city and went out to Camp Relief with a dispatch in the forenoon. Went to Leesburg Point in the afternoon...
Saturday, May 14 - Carried dispatches in the city all day...
Sunday, May 15 - Saw the 7th New York heavy artillery. 1800 men and the first Minnesota 2400 strong pass the city on their way to the front. Carried dispatches in the city. Had a fine buggy ride with a colonel. Went to Dean's stable after a horse and buggy. Felt lonesome and uneasy all day. Wish that I was at home.
Monday, May 16 - Went to the 6th street wharf. Saw a boatload of wounded soldiers. It was a sad looking sight to look at them. Carried dispatches the rest of the day. The hundred and sixty third Ohio militia on their way to the fort. Passed through the city. Took a walk in the city in the evening. Wrote a letter to Miss NI Eagler.
Tuesday, May 17 - Carried dispatches in the city all day. Rained some in the forenoon. Went to General Augur's at Georgetown with a dispatch. In the evening read some in my Bible.
Wednesday, May 18 - Review in the forenoon. Carried dispatches in the city. Started to Glyemont, Maryland, 40 miles at six o'clock in the evening. Got along very well. Went through fields, open gates with number, followed it down the river sometimes in the water up to the sides of the horse. Got to Glyemont at 3 o'clock. Went to bed and slept two hours.
Thursday, May 19 - Came back to Washington. Started at 7 o'clock and got back at 1 o'clock. Poorest country that I ever saw and the dumbest people that I ever met with anyplace. They hardly know what their own name is let alone the name of the place in which they live. And Slavery is the cause of it all. This the lower class in the slave states are worse than the negroes (sic). They look more like heathens than civilized people.
Friday, May 20 - Carried dispatches in the city afoot. Took a walk in the park in the evening. Finished my letter to Papa.
Saturday, May 21 - Very warm all day. Carried dispatches in the city. My horse has a sore back....Seen Old Abe riding out in his carriage...
Sunday, May 22 - Very warm. Rained some in the afternoon. I cooked for the mess. I got along very well. It is the first cooking to amount to anything. Everything seems to go wrong with me. In fact, it is not in my line of business though I guess that I will learn before I get home again. I have amost concluded that I will have to get me a wife before I get home again for they are an indispensable article. One that every man should have...
Saturday, June 11, 1864 - The weather is very pleasant. Carried dispatches in the city all day. I feel about as well as ever and I feel very Thankful to the Lord that I am as well as I am. I feel that my prayer has been answered in the restoration of my usual health and spirits. The 130th Ohio militia went through here on its way to the front. It marched up in the yard in front of the White House. And Uncle Abe made them a very nice and appropriate speech for which he thanked them in behalf of the government for their prompt response to call in behalf of the good of this country. It is the first time that I ever heard Mr. Lincoln speak. He looks care worn and frail...
Friday, July 1, 1864 - Weather comfortable and pleasant. Fine rain. Shower in the morning. Carried dispatches in the city all day. A detail of 20 men was made for the purpose of escorting the president out to the soldiers' home...
Wednesday, July 13 - General Banks corps arrived today from New Orleans. The rebels are retreating. They fell back 6 miles in front of Fort Stevens in the night. It is now thought that they are some fifteen thousand strong. Our men followed them up...I saw the battlefield in front of Fort Stevens and was out over it. The dead were all buried when I arrived. Saw a good many guns and cartridge boxes thrown away by the rebels...got a rebel canteen.
Tuesday, July 26 - Took down our bunks and washed them with hot water to kill the bed bugs which number by the thousands, and cleaned up everything and white-washed the inside of the barracks. Put the bunks up again - all done in the forenoon...
[Here John makes the comment, "one [won] the escort" and his duties appear to shift from dispatch to escort.]
Monday, August 29 - One the escort. Got a pass. Went with Morris and Baker over to the Washington monument to see the stones that were sent from the different states, also from nearly all parts of the world. Quite a curiosity to see them...
Tuesday, August 30 - Escort...had to wait a long time for the president...saw old Tom Corwin at the White House. The first time that I ever saw him. Went out to the soldier's home on a special detail for guard. Stood guard three hours...
Wednesday, August 31 - Came in with the escort in the morning. Stayed in all day and night...[John serves as escort and guard for the president for the next 30 days or so commenting on the 15th of September]… went to the B & Ohio depot in the evening with Old Abe to meet his wife. Late getting out to the soldier's home. [On the 18th]…Escort. Still mounted in the morning. More for show than anything.
Journal #2
Monday, April 3, 1865 - ...Richmond, Petersburg captured. Great excitement. Every body on a drunk...800 guns fired in the city and 100 at each fort in honor of the victory. Up at Gassaway's in the evening. Nearly everybody in the city drunk, which is a shame and a disgrace to the country. Everybody wild with excitement, and the word of the good news.
Tuesday, April 4 - ...All the public buildings and principal places in the city illuminated. One of the finest scenes in the world....
Friday, April 7 - ...Glorious news from the front. Capture six rebel generals and a great many prisoners. A salute of 200 guns fired in honor of the victory. The war will be over soon and then I shall go home to those that I love....
Monday, April 10 - Got up early. A salute of 200 guns fired in honor of the surrender of General Lee and his whole army, at 5 o'clock in the morning. Went up where they were firing the salute. A great deal of excitement on this full surrender of Lee and his army...
Tuesday, April 11 - ...Went once in the city to see the celebration, which was a great thing. Went to the White House to hear Old Abe speak but did not stay on account of the big push of the vast crowd. Helped to carry in ladder section so as to get on top of a building to see better...
Friday, April 14 - ...Great excitement in the city at 10 o'clock. Assassination of President Lincoln in Ford's theatre by a man supposed to be J.C. Booth. Also the Assassination of Secretary Seward and two sons. None of them are expected to live. Lincoln can not possibly live. Went to Major General Halleck with a dispatch for one of the boys who did not know the way. 425 rebel prisoners brought here and sent to Fort Warner. General Sewel, General Hunter listed and several other general officers. Grand torch light procession in the city.
Saturday, April 15 - But little to do. Offices, stores and shops closed. Great excitement. President Lincoln died this morning half past seven o'clock. The Sewards still living. Is thought that the old man and one his sons will live. Reported capture of Booth. The city draped in mourning. Light Guard escorted the remains of the president to the White House. Thus in no less than 24 hours has a great nation been turned from rejoicing to deep mourning for the loss of the first man in our nation. The like of which has no comparison in the annals of history...
Friday, April 21 - ...Spent the last of the dollar for papers about the assassination of the president...
Saturday, April 22 - ...Reported capture of Mobile confirmed...
Monday, April 24 - ...wish that I could be at home, but such can not now be the case, and I fear that it can not be very soon. I fear that I shall have to serve out the remainder of my time. I believe that my company will be kept for a guard for the president until war time is over. Now that one of the best men in the nation and the first in office has been murdered I feel that we will be kept to perform the duties for which we were enlisted, but hope not.
Wednesday, May 3 - ...Order for 600,000 discharges to be filled out ready.
Saturday, May 6 - ...Went to the depot to meet father, who came in on the 10:30 train. Did not know him, when I first met him. He looked so poor and care-worn. Oh how glad I was to see him. Can hardly realize that he is here with me. Came up on the street car, opened my trunk, found everything torn to pieces and a good many things spoiled. Sat up until midnight. Father feels quite poorly. I feel very sorry that he will work so hard.
Sunday, May 7 - Got up early. Wrote a letter to mother. A short letter to let her know that father had arrived here safely. Took a walk in the city with father in the morning and out in the pretty part of the city. Got a bottle of medicine for father. Came back. Pap laid down and took a nap. We went to the Sixth street wharf in the afternoon to see a boat load of wounded soldiers. Senator Meeker took us through the boat. Rode up in an ambulance to the office. Went to church in the new Wesley Chapel. I can hardly help from crying when I look at Pap. Can hardly realize that it is him. It is a great pleasure to have him here with me...
Wednesday, May 10 - ...Spent two hours in walking through the capitol and examining the principal parts of it. Went to the hall of congress both senate and representative. Also saw the fine oil paintings which interested father very much. Saw some very fine statues. Some of the paintings were as follows: the Baptism of Pocahontas, Signing of the Declaration of Independence, General Washington Resigning His Commission to Congress, Sailing of Columbus, Discovery of the Mississippi River and various others. Came from there to the government gardens where we spent a couple of hours very pleasantly looking at the different specimens of plants and shrubs from all parts of the world...
Thursday, May 11 - ...Pap and I went to the theatre Grover's to see Uncle Tom's cabin played, which was well done. Pap did not like it very well. The first time that he was ever at a theatre, and I suppose that it will be the last. The closing scene was truly grand and well represented liberty and the emancipation proclamation.
Friday, May 12 - Got up late. Pap and I went down town in the forenoon. Stopped at a clothing establishment to get a pair of pants for him. None large enough for him. Went to Golden's Photo gallery to get a dozen photos taken. $5. Dinner at the quarters. Got a horse and went to Alexandria. I held his horse while Pap went walking through the city - from there to Fairfax cemetery. Bailey's, Munson's Hill, Lexington Hill, Bables fortifications, up in the sight of Fall's Church, then to Arlington heights, then to Georgetown and home. Rode some 30 miles, saw several thousand men encamped, also the Fifth Corps which had marched from Richmond since last Saturday. The boys looked stout and hearty, and marched well...
Wednesday, May 17 - Pap gave me $20. Got my furlough and pay. $16 for transportation home. Spent 85 cents for oranges. 56 cents for riding on street car, 50 cents for trunk. Went to Gassaway's with Pap. Gassaway went to the depot with us. Took the 6:45 train to Baltimore and Harrisburg. Spent 20 cents for pies, gage plums, 60 cents...
Thursday, May 18 - Got to Pittsburgh at 1 o'clock. Got dinner at the soldier's restaurant....Got to [illegible] ...station at 11 p.m. Slept on the floor till morning and sound, too.
Friday, May 19 - Walked nearly all the way home…took the folks at home by surprise. Very glad to get home once more..." [The last entry in the second journal was dated Tuesday, May 30, 1865, and was written as John was preparing to return to Washington. His company was mustered out as a unit, September 9, 1865.]
Obituary (Undated clipping from an unidentified newspaper): "John Francis Kellar, son of Harrison and Catharine Kellar, was born August 10, 1842, in Noble County, Ohio. He was raised to manhood in Ohio and enlisted in the Seventh Company, Independent Ohio Cavalry in 1863 and served during the remainder of the War of the Rebellion. His company was detailed for some time as a bodyguard for President Abraham Lincoln, and Mr. Kellar was on duty in Washington the night of the assassination. He personally carried the message from the adjutant general to the army which was encamped at Alexandria. Among his prized possessions was a photograph of Lincoln given to him with other members of his company by the martyred president.
Following the War, Mr. Kellar moved with his family to Prole, Iowa, a short distance south of Des Moines and forty-two years ago moved to Nebraska, spending sixteen years on a farm near Steele City, five years as a resident of Lincoln, and the last twenty-one years of his life on a ranch near Crookston.
He is survived by his wife, Matilda J. Kellar, three daughters; Mrs. Carrie Backon of Ardmore, Oklahoma, Mrs. W.G. Smith of Rock Rapids, Iowa, Miss Venia M. Kellar who is Director of Domestic Science at the University of Maryland, and one son, E.M. Kellar of Crookston, Nebraska. Three brothers, Thomas, Henderson and William Kellar of Prole, Iowa; a sister, Mrs. Jennie Davis of Des Moines and eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren also survive him." Burial was made in Linn Grove Cemetery, Warren Co., IA.
The Kellar family first appears in Iowa in the 1870 Warren Co. census, Jefferson Twp., P.O. Linn Grove, Iowa. "Kellar, John, age 24 - Born Ohio; Lois, age 20 - Born Ohio; Carrie, age 20 [sic] Born Iowa." The age given for Carrie is incorrect; Carrie was age 2 and born in OH according to the Noble County Births, Vol. 1, p. 30.
Louis (Lois) was not yet eighteen when she married in Noble County, and within thirteen months she gave birth to their first daughter, Carrie. Her parents and John's remained behind in Ohio when she, John and Carrie moved to Prole, IA, where they show up in the 1870 census. His parents and family joined them in 1871.
Twenty-six months after Carrie's birth, Lois had twins, Jennie Lynn and Jessie, and twenty-seven months later, she bore James Harrison who died in his second month. Twelve months after James' birth, Frank Miles was born, and Lois died six days later, leaving John a widower with four children under the age of five and a half years. Eleven months later their baby, Frank, died, and John didn't remarry until April of 1878. Her gravestone in Linn Grove Cemetery reads: "Louis P. Kellar, d. Nov 21, 1873, age 24y 1m 11d, wife of John F."
John married Matilda, and years later both died intestate; no wills were filed. June 25, 1925, petition for Appointment of Administratrix was filed in the county court in and for Cherry County, NE, (Case #1216).
"In the Matter of the Estate of John Francis Kellar, deceased - Comes now Matilda J. Kellar...advises the Court that upon the 25th day of April, 1925, one John Francis Kellar, while a resident of Cherry County, Nebraska departed this life in Cherry County, Nebraska...died owning no real estate, but that he did die leaving personal property consisting of an undivided one half interest in about 60 head of cattle and a team of mules, a cow, calf and some other property...
Your applicant further says [he] died without leaving no will [sic] and without making any testamentary disposition of his property...both applicant and deceased were residents of Cherry County, Nebraska...said deceased died leaving as his heirs: Your applicant, Matilda J. Kellar, a widow. One Daughter Carey Backen (sic) aged 57 years, residing at Ardmore, Oklahoma. One Daughter Jessie Smith 55 years of age residing at Rock Rapids, Iowa. Two Grand Children who are the issue of a daughter Jennie Forbes deceased in the year 1920. Said grand children being Bessie Norby aged 32 years, residing at Warm Spring, Montana, also Preston Forbes, a grandson aged 24 years residing at Missoula, Montana.
Your applicant further says that the deceased John Francis Kellar also died leaving the following children and heirs which are the issue of the marriage between said deceased and your applicant to-wit: One Daughter Venia M. Kellar aged 44 years, residing at Washington D.C. One Son, Enoch M. Kellar aged 38 years residing at Crookston, Nebraska, and that there are no other or different heirs...Signed Matilda J. Kellar, 25th day of June, 1925. [All spelling and punctuation are as found in the original.]
Gravesite Details
John and Louis had twins Jessie and Jennie and Carrie Z.
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