Montana Homestead

VENERABLE VETERAN 
CROSSES DARK RIVER

Comrade J. M. Kellogg Dies of Heart Disease at Age of Seventy-Seven Years

   From the rangs of Lincoln Post, G. A. R., yesterday evening was taken Comrade J. M. Kellogg, who donned the blue early in 1861 and went forth from his home in New Jersey to fight for the cause of his country.  He saw hard service during the long years of the fratricide, which was waged that the United States might remain a united country, and goes to meet his maker with the knowledge that he has done his whole duty and that his services will never be forgotten by a grateful people.

   Death, which resulted from heart disease, came to the aged veteran quietly. He was ready for the reaper and went down into the shadows with a peaceful smile upon his face. He was seventy-seven years of age and had lived a useful and industrious life.

   Two daughters, both of whom reside in this city, survive him.  They are Mrs. W. W. Tracey and Mrs. E. E. Wheal.  He was a member of Wicks’ lodge, I. O. O. F.  Enterprise lodge of that order will have charge of the funeral, which will occur tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock.  

The Butte Miner
Butte, Montana
5/31/1907

KELLOGG—Lymon E. Kellogg, aged 79 years, died early yesterday morning at his home, 542½ Colorado street.  The body was removed to White’s undertaking parlors, where the funeral will be held tomorrow (Friday) afternoon at 2 o’clock, the Rec. Mr. Mitchell officiating, under the auspices of the Grand Army of the Republic.

SAM R. WHITE

Funeral Director and Embalmer
129 South Main Street
Phone 311

The Anaconda Standard
Anaconda, Montana
6/20/1918

NEW G.A.R. OFFICERS 
ARE MUSTERED IN

   The following named officers of  Lincoln post, No. 2, G.A.R., were mustered on Jan. 7 by P. H. Manchester post department commander:  Henry Kemper, post commander; H. S. Libby, senior vice commander; J. R. Melcher, junior vice commander; E. H. Bruce, surgeon; O. L. Farnham, chaplain; P. H. Manchester, quartermaster; J. B. Scott, officer of the day; S. H. Almon adjutant; J. H. Jackson, sergeant major; Thomas Boyle, quartermaster sergeant; J. W. Grant, outer guard; John A. Hood, sentinel.

   Commander Kemper was one of the first men to report to the call of 1861 for three months' men, going into the Eleventh Indiana infantry, commanded by Lew Wallace, the author of “Ben Hur.”  Mr. Kemper went from Indianapolis and served in all the non-commissioned offices.  He was promoted to second and first lieutenants and then to captain of a company in 1863.  He was with his company and regiment in the battles of Forts Henry, Donelson and Shiloh and at the siege of Corinth; the battles of Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills and the siege of Vicksburg.  His regiment was transferred to Banks’ army in the western part of the Opalucis country in 1863 and in December of that year the regiment was veternized at New Orleans.  In July 1864, the regiment was sent to the eastern army and was under Phil Sheridan in the Shenandoah valley, taking part in the battles of Halltown, Fisher’s Hill, Winchester and Cedar Creek.  The regiment was mustered out July 26, 1865.

The Anaconda Standard
Anaconda, Montana
1/10/1906

LAWRENCE KENDALL DIES 
EN ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA

Funeral of Well Known Butte Man Will Be Held Today Under Auspices of G.A.R.

   The body of Lawrence Kendall, a well-known miner and smelterman, who died Monday morning at Las Vegas, Nev., while en route to California and the southwest in search of health, will be brought to Butte for interment this morning and funeral services will be held from White and Krebs’ undertaking parlors this afternoon under the auspices of the local G. A. R. post.  Mr. Kendall was 60 years of age at the time of his death and was afflicted with miner’s consumption.  His condition was not regarded as serious and it was in the hope of securing relief that he left Butte several days ago for the south.  He is survived by a wife, two daughters, Olive and Carma, and a son, Dewey.

   Mr. Kendall was an old-time resident of Butte and had a wide acquaintance in this city.

The Butte Miner
Butte, Montana
1/20/1909

CO. G. 104th PENNSYLVANIA INF. 
SPANISH WAR
& 1st MONTANA INF.

Kessler photograph is from the book CAMPAIGNING IN THE PHILIPPINES 
by Karl Irving Faust

GEN. HARRY C. KESSLER  

The Bugle Sounds “Taps” For 
Gallant Montana Pioneer And Soldier

COLONEL FIRST MONTANA

Soldier Who Led Montana’s First Volunteer Regiment 
to the Philippines Dies in Philadelphia—Valiant Officer
in Civil War and Prominent Business Man Here

Philadelphia, Sept. 10—Brig. Gen. Harry C. Kessler died today from a complication of diseases.  He served during the civil war with the Pennsylvania volunteers and in 1875 engaged in mining in Montana.  Upon the American occupation of the Philippines he was sent to the islands in command of the First Montana Volunteers, and at the end of this service was retired as Brigadier general.

   In 1903 he was vice commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Civil War Veteran

   The above dispatch came over the wire last night telling of the death of a man well known to many of the earlier and also the later residents of the state, and the news will be received with regret by all who even came in contact with him.

Here Since 1875

   Lieut. Kessler came to Montana in January 1875, making his home at Butte and engaging in mining and in mercantile pursuits.  Among other of his business undertakings was that of journalism, he having been associated with Capt. James H. Mills in the founding the Butte Miner, which they afterwards sold out to H. T. Brown and associates.  He was also associated for many years with Henry Mueller in the Centennial Brewing company, but, it is understood, had parted with these interests some time ago.  Lieutenant Kessler from the first organization of the Montana national guard took great interest and a leading part in its affairs, and at the outbreak of the war with Spain he was the commanding officer of the First Montana.

Led His Regiment

   Despite his rather advanced age Colonel Kessler was fired with the same sentiments towards his country’s welfare that had inspired him in 1861, and he promptly declared his intention of leading his regiment to the front.  He went at its head to the Philippines, and, because of his previous war experience, was prominent in the councils of the officers.  When mustered out at San Francisco in October 1895, as a brigadier general of volunteers, he having received that rank in the March previous.

   General Kessler has been in the east for some time, and, as stated in the dispatch, he died at his old boyhood home yesterday, full of years and honors, and mourned by all who knew him.  

Helena Independent
Helena, Montana
9/13/1907

HARRY C. KESSLER

   Last night brought news of the death of Harry C. Kessler, brevet brigadier general, in Philadelphia.  That city was his birthplace.  He came to Montana in 1874; during more than a quarter of a century in Butte was his home.  He was sixty-three years old.

   Colonel Kessler—that was the title by which Montana knew him—was descended of revolutionary-war stock.  When he was seventeen he was a volunteer in the union army.  He won the rank of first lieutenant, was wounded at Fair Oaks but served through the war.  Thereafter he engaged in the job printing business, in Philadelphia.  His health became delicate and he came west.

   For a time, in Deer Lodge, Colonel Kessler was associated with the late Captain Mills in the publishing of the New Northwest.  In 1876 he went from Deer Lodge to Butte, to start the Butte Miner, taking charge of the venture in Butte, while Captain Mills spent most of his time with the New Northwest, although having editorial charge of the Miner.  About a year later, however, Colonel Kessler retired from the newspaper business, to engage in mining.  He was a republican.  He held office several times.  In 1883 he was elected a county commissioner for Silver Bow; during eight years, he was county treasurer.

   When the war with Spain started Montana was almost the first state to get a regiment mustered in.  Colonel Kessler was in command of it.  The regiment served, in the Philippines, through the war.  Later on, Colonel Kessler was seriously discussed as a republican candidate for the office of governor, but he was not honored with the nomination.  He received his brevet rank in compliment for his Philippine service.

   In recent years Colonel Kessler has not been much in Montana.  It was generally understood, at the time when he was in the Spanish war, that he was in possession of abundant means financially.  His later years were devoted to travel in this county in Europe and to days of leisure in his native state.  

The Montana Standard
Butte, Montana
9/11/1907

LINCOLN POST HONORS 
COMRADE H. C. KESSLER

   Lincoln Post, Grand Army, last evening adopted these resolutions upon the death of Comrade Harry C. Kessler.

   “Whereas, the great ruler of the universe has in his infinite wisdom removed from our midst our worthy comrade and citizen Harry C. Kessler, and

   “Whereas, The intimate relation held during a long business life by him with the members of this post makes it fitting that we record our appreciation to him, therefore be it

   “Resolved, That the wisdom and ability which he exercised in aid of our post work, by counsel, service and funds, will be held in grateful remembrance.

   “Resolved, That the sudden removal of such a comrade from out post, of which he has held leading positions for many years, leaves a vacancy and shadow that will be deeply realized by all members and its friends and will prove a grievous loss to the members of Lincoln Post.

   “Resolved, That with deep sympathy with the afflicted relatives and friends of the deceased, we express an earnest hope that even so great a bereavement may result for their highest good,  

“B.N. BEEBE,
P.H. MANCHESTER,
R.G. HUSTON,
         Committee.”

The Anaconda Standard
Anaconda, Montana
9/29/1907

CO. A. 33rd ILLINOIS INFANTRY
&
CO. A. 72nd ILLINOIS INFANTRY

James Killham Dies at Home of His Daughter; Was Civil War Veteran

   James Killham, aged 71, a resident of Montana for 33 years, died at 11:30 o’clock yesterday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. P. W. Quigley, 1338 Hobson street.  The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 1 o’clock at the home of his son, John Killham, 1348 Hobson street.  The funeral will be under the auspices of the G. A. R., of which organization he was a member.

   The deceased is survived by his widow, three children, Mrs. P. W. Quigley, and David and John, and three grandchildren all of Butte.

  Mr. Killham had been a member of the Butte police force for eight years.  He removed from Butte to Renova 20 years ago, returning to this city five weeks ago.  Mr. Killham married Miss Catherine Sullivan 46 years ago and died on his wedding anniversary.

The Butte Miner
Butte, Montana
6/11/1918

CARD OF THANKS

   We desire to express our sincere thanks to our many friends and neighbors for the kindly sympathy shown in our late bereavement in the death of our beloved husband and father, James Killham.  We especially wish to thank the Ladies of the G. A. R., Lincoln Post, G. A. R., Silver Bow circle W. of W. and those sending the beautiful floral offerings.

MRS. JAMES KILLHAM,
MRS. P. W. QUIGLEY,
MR. AND MRS. DAVID KILLHAM,
MR. AND MRS. JOHN KILLHAM  

The Butte Miner
Butte, Montana
6/15/1918