KELSEY
FAMILY
Arthur Jonas Kelsey was born on Oct 31, 1881 in Monterey Indiana,
Pulaski
County, Tippicanoe Township. Augusta Loretta Keitzer was born Nov 28,
1886
also in Monterey.
Arthur Jonas Kelsey was a M.D.
They were married May 3, 1904 at St. Ann's Catholic Church in
Monterey Indiana.
They had 11 children, all born in Monterey Indiana and all baptized at
St.
Ann's.
Moved to Cactus Arizona with Roberta (the youngest) in the 1940's
because
Augusta contacted Turburculosis and had a collapsed lung.
Arthur died July 27, 1950 in Monterey Indiana.
Augusta Keitzer Kelsey died July 1956 in Phoenix Arizona.
Possibly the 25th or 27th but the obituatry below said it was Saturday,
which makes it the 28th.
{sjt#1-26} Email notes from Roberta Kelsey Thomas made for these
pages:
Arthur Jonas Kelsey M.D. and Augusta Loretta (Keitzer)
Kelsey
were both born in Monterey, Indiana, Pulaski County, Tippicanoe
Township.
They were the children of William E. Kelsey M.D. and Helena (Steis)
Kelsey
and Henry and Marietta (Freese) Keitzer. They were married May 3, 1904
at
St. Ann's Catholic Church in Monterey, Indiana. They had 11 children.
All
born in Monterey, Indiana and all baptized at St. Ann's.
Paul Charles Kelsey was born April 4, 1905. He was an
electrical
engineer, a graduate of Purdue University. He married Peggy (Margaret
Johnson).
They had two girls, Mary Elaine and Kathryn (Kathy) Frew.
Lawrence Edmond Kelsey was born February 6, 1907. He
was a
physician and surgeon. He graduated from Loyola Medical School in
Chicago.
He married Loretto Cooney. They had five children. William, John,
Dennis,
Maureen and Mary Margaret Gunnick.
Bernard Edgar Kelsey was born January 21, 1909 and
died April
3, 1909. Cause of death pheumonia.
Mary Dorothy Kelsey Richter was born August 15, 1910.
She graduated
from St. Bernard's School of nursing in Chicago. She married William
Alfred
Richter. Bill Richter was a Chicago policeman. They had three children
Marilyn
Denno, Margaret (Midge)Holzinger, and John (Jack).
Catherine Ann Kelsey Hiland was born October 26, 1912.
She
graduated from St. Bernard's School of nursing in Chicago. She married
Kenneth
Nelson Hiland. He owned a grocery store, later a hardware store in
Kewanna,Ind.
He moved to Arizona and worked for a plumbing co.. They had four
children,
Carol Sue Graham, James, Gerald (Jerry) and Richard.
Charles Raymond Kelsey was born March 21, 1914. He
graduated
from Purdue in Indiana and then attended University of Michigan at Ann
Arbor.
He married Mary Helen Kennerk. She was a registered county health
nurse.
Charles farmed in Monterey, Indiana. They had seven children, Kathleen
Hastings,
Michael, Arthur, David, Robert, Martha Shouldis, and
Terrance.
Martha Laverne Kelsey was born January 23, 1917, and
died Oct.
26, 1922. Cause of death pneumonia.
Edward James Kelsey was born March 1, 1919. He
attended college
but did not graduate. He was a farmer in Monterey, Indiana. He married
Vieve
Markley. They had one daughter, Diana Lynn Garbutt.
Ruth Helena Kelsey Kleykamp was born March 7, 1921.
She graduated
from St. Mary's Springs Academy High School in Wisconsin. She attended
nurses
training but did not graduate. She was a housewife. She married
Gayheart
Conrad Kleykamp who was an accountant in Ashland, Kentucky. They moved
to
Phoenix Arizona where he graduated from ASU, Tempe. His field was cable
television. They had four children, Jeanne Marie Vaughan, Tommy,
Roberta
Ann Lintz, and Michael.
William Henry Kelsey was born September 6, 1922, and
died February
20, 1923. Cause of death was pneumonia.
Roberta Cecilia Kelsey Thomas was born August 31,
1924. She
graduated from Arizona state University in Tempe, Arizona. She was an
elementary
school teacher. She married William Ray Thomas a mechanical engineer.
They
had four children, Elaine Campbell, Scott, Alan and David.
{sjt#1-16} Marriage license of Arthur Jonas Kelsey to Augusta
Loretta Keitzer:
They married May 3rd, 1904 in Pulaski County Indiana.
{sjt#1-14}Obituary from an unknown newspaper (he died July 25,
1950):
Quick Call Takes Well Known Doctor ---- Dr.
Arthur
J. Kelsey, Life Resident of Monterey, Passes Away. ----
The
death of Dr. Arthur J. Kelsey, prominent Monterey physician, occured
suddenly
Tuesday afternoon at his home in Monterey. He was sixty-nine years old.
Funeral services are to be held Friday morning at nine o'clock at St.
Ann's
church in Monterey, in charge of the Rev. Frederick Schroeder. Burial
will
be in the Catholic cemetery at Monterey. The body will be returned from
the
Kennedy home to the residence, where the rosary will be recited this
(Thursday)
evening at eight o'clock.
The doctor was born in Monterey on Oct 31, 1881, and spent his entire
life
there. He was a son of Dr. and Mrs. William Kelsey. His marriage to
Miss
Augusta Keitzer took place in 1904. He was a member of the state and
county
medical societies, Fulton County hospital staff and Holy Name society
of
St. Ann's church.
Surviving, besides his wife, are seven children - Dr. Lawrence Kelsey
of
Kewanna, Charles and Edward Kelsey of Monterey, Paul of Huntington, W.
Va.,
Mrs. Mary Richter of Chicago, Mrs. Ruth Kleykamp of Ashland,
Ky., Miss
Roberta Kelsey of Phoenix, Ariz.; Mrs. Catherine Hiland of Kewanna,
also
a sister, Mrs. Emma Wentzel of Denver, Colo.
{sjt#1-14}Obituary from another unknown newspaper: Dr.
Kelsey
Dies At Monterey ---- Dr. Arthur J. Kelsey, 69, well known
Pulaski
county doctor, died Tuesday afternnon about 1 o'clock of a heart attack
at
his monterey home.
Born in Monterey on Oct 31, 1881, the son of Dr. and Mrs. William
Kelsey,
he spent his entire life in the Tippecanoe township town. He was
married
to Augusta Keitzer in Monterey May 3, 1904. Dr. Kelsey was a member of
the Indiana and Pulaski County Medical Societies, Fulton county
hospital
staff and the Holy Name Society of St. Ann's church.
Survivors include the widow, four sons, Dr. Lawrence Kelsey of Kewanna;
Charles
and Edward Kelsey of Monterey, Paul of Huntington, W. Va; three
daughters,
Mrs. Mary Richter of Chicago; Mrs. Ruth Kleykamp of Ashland,
Ky., Miss
Roberta Kelsey of Phoenix, Ariz., [they missed Catherine] and a sister,
Mrs.
Emma Wentzel of Denver, Colo.
Funeral services will be held at 9 o'clock Friday morning in St.
Ann's
church at Monterey, with Rev. Frederick Schroeder officiating. Burial
will
be in St. Ann's cemetery.
The body is at the Kennedy funeral home and will be returned to his
home
where the rosary will be recited at 8 o'clock this (Thursday)
evening.
{sjt#1-14}Obituary from another unknown newspaper: Mrs.
Arthur
J. Kelsey --- Mrs. Augusta Kelsey, widow of Dr. Arthur J. Kelsey and
former
well known Monterey resident, died Saturday at her home in Phoenix,
Ariz.
She was sixty-nine years old.
The body was returned to the Kennedy funeral home, where the rosary was
recited
at 8 o'clock Tuesday night. Final rites were held Wednesday morning at
St.
Ann's church in Monterey, in charge of the Rev. Charles Remaklus.
Burial
was in the Catholic cemetery there.
Mrs. Kelsey was born Nov. 28, 1886, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henery
Keitzer.
Her marriage to Dr. Kelsey took place in 1904, and he passed away in
1950.
Surviving are eight children - Paul Kelsey of Huntington, W. Va., Dr.
Lawrence
Welsey [should be Kelsey] and Mrs. Catherine Hiland of Kewanna, Mrs.
Mary
Richter of Chicago, Mrs. Ruth Kleykemp of Ashland, Ky. Miss Roberta
Kelsey
of Phoenix, Ariz., Charles and Edward of Monterey; sister, Mrs. Mildred
Fowble
of Hobart; brothers, Charles Keitzer of Monterey, Robert of Ft.
Wayne.
From a phone conversation with Charles Kelsey: Arthur
built
a 5 bedroom house in Monterey in 1922 for $14000. This was
apparently
accros the street from his previous house. Charles Kelsey remembers
working
on the roof when a plane flew over. It was the 1st plane seen around
Monterey
and it landed in a field and offered rides for about 2 cents a pound.
{sjt#1-7} Report from Robert Keitzer Jr.: All the children of
Arthur
and Augusta were born in Monterey Indiana.
From: http://www.pulaski-libraries.lib.in.us/Monterey/history.html
The movement for a library at Monterey began in late 1916,
when the
late Homer L. Rogers, Pulaski County Superintendent of Schools,
mentioned
to Elmer Johnson the idea of requesting Carnegie Foundation Grant money
for
this purpose.
On December 10, 1916, a library board was formed with the
Monterey
Town Board appointing Dr. A. J. Kelsey as its first member.
Soon after
five other members, Lenore Bringham (Keitzer), F.A. Keiter,
George
Langenbahn, Lillian Marbaugh (Johnson) and W.B. Kleckner, were
appointed
by Judge Pentecost, Judge of the Pulaski Circuit Court.
The library board held its first organized meeting on the
evening
of January 8, 1917 in one of the member's homes to discuss plans for a
library.
Officers were elected and by-laws were framed that night.
On January 11, 1917, Henry N. Sanborn, secretary and state
organizer
from the Public Library Commission of Indiana arrived in Delong at
11:28
a.m. by Vandalia Railroad. He traveled to Monterey and met with members
of
the library board regarding the establishment of a library.
In April 1917, the Carnegie Corporation offered the $5,000
donation
(the Monterey-Tippecanoe Carnegie Public Library was the smallest unit
to
have been granted a subsidy for a library building by the Carnegie
Foundation)
if a deed for the ground could be presented and if a tax for the upkeep
of
the building could be assured. Land for the building, secured from Dr.
William
Kelsey, was probably a donation, though the recorded deed states
that it was purchased for $250.00.
Samuel A. Craig of Huntington was selected as architect. The
library
board accepted the architect's plans at their June 1917 meeting. These
plans
were immediately submitted to the Carnegie Corporation for approval.
Mr.
Craig would travel to Monterey from time to time on the morning milk
train
(Erie) and return that evening by the same mode.
Sealed bids for the building were received August 17, 1917.
The lowest
bid of $6,220 was reduced to $5,000, or perhaps less, by omitting
several
items originally listed. Although approval for the grant was given, the
secretary
of the Carnegie Corporation, Mr. James Bertram, questioned how the
library
"could get along without complete plumbing, electric wiring and
furniture".
The town was without any electricity until about 1921, therefore, the
omissions
were not as serious as they seemed to Mr. Bertram. The contract was
awarded
to Master Bros., Monterey, since they were the lowest bidder. The
Carnegie
Grant proved not to be sufficient to cover all costs and the community
raised
the remaining sum by subscription.
The September 1918 library board meeting was held in the "New
Public
Library". The minutes of the meeting do not indicate to what extent the
building
was completed. However, the library board accepted applications for the
position
of Librarian at the October meeting and Mrs. Lena Collins was hired at
a
salary of $30 per month. The library's opening date was set for October
16,
1918.
The library's book collection was started with one book, "The
Rose
of St. Louis", which was probably a donation. Dr. A.J. Kelsey did
most
of the book purchasing. The books were indexed in 1921, periodicals
were added in 1922 and "The New Britannica Encyclopedia" was purchased
in
1924.
The depression seriously curtailed service in the 1930's and
the library
found it difficult to remain open three days a week. Throughout the War
years,
the services of a librarian were difficult to obtain. For a time the
library
was only open during evening hours. During the middle 40's a regular
librarian
was employed and progress again was evident. The first children's
reading
club was held in 1950 and has been held every summer since then.
The Town of Monterey and Tippecanoe Township united into one
taxing
unit in support of the library in September 1953. Improvements in that
decade
included modernization of the electric wiring, new lights, water
system,
septic tank, rest rooms and a railing on the front steps. Many of these
had
been in the original plans.
In 1974 a new front entrance, including doors, steps,
handrails and
sidewalks and a new restroom fashioned from the existing two small ones
was
approved at a cost of $6,549, with the contract for the work being
given
to Easterday Construction Company, Culver, IN.
With a vision and a dream for future expansion, the property
adjacent
to the library was purchased in 1986. During this decade, the grounds
were
totally re-landscaped, new furnace and central air-conditioning systems
were
installed, videocassettes were added to the collection and a copy
machine
was purchased.
The 1990's saw much growth, not only in technology, but also
physical
expansion. In 1993 the basement was totally remodeled and the upstairs
received
new carpeting and shelving. A fax machine was purchased in 1994,
computers
added in 1995, and public Internet access offered in 1996. On April 14,
1998
ground was broken for a $780,000 expansion project. A 3,280 square foot
addition
was constructed on the south side of the original Carnegie structure,
over
doubling the facility's size. A parking lot, new ground floor entrance,
elevator,
two new accessible restrooms, and program room were all part of the
project.
New shelving and seating were also added. H. L. Mohler of Lafayette,
IN,
was the architect and Easterday's Construction Company of Culver, IN,
was
the contractor. This project was made possible through the combined use
of
State and Federal funding sources. The Town of Monterey, on behalf of
the
library, was awarded a $375,000 Department of Commerce Community Focus
Fund
Grant and the library received a $47,000 grant and a long-term low
interest
loan of $358,000 from USA Rural Development. A dedication ceremony was
held
on October 15, 1999.
Today, the library's holdings total over 15,000. There are
eight computers
for public use. CD-ROM's and DVD's have been added to the collection.
An
automation project, including conversion of the card catalog to MARC
records,
was completed in 2001. The AMLIB circulation system with a web-based
patron
access catalog is now in use.
{SJT#8-6} List of the grandchildren of AJ and Augusta Kelsey, not in any order.
Transcribed from notes by Roberta Kelsey Thomas. First column is her notes, send column was written as she talked.
| 1) Carol Sue Hiland Graham - Feb 6th | Catherine #1 |
| 1) Carol Sue Hiland Graham - Feb 6th | Catherine #1 |
| 2) Marylin Richter Denno | Mary #1 |
| 3) Michael Kelsey | Charles #2 |
| 4) Kathleen Kelsey Hastings - Oct 2nd | Charles #1 |
| 5) William Kelsey (Bill) May 21 | Lawrence #1 |
| 6) Margaret (Midge) Richter - Dec 6th | Mary #2 |
| 7) John (Jack) Richter Feb 3rd | Mary #3 |
| 8) Mary Elaine Kelsey | Paul #1 |
| 9) Kaythern Kelsey | Paul #2 |
| 10) James Hiland May 4th | Catherine #2 |
| 11) Gerald (Jerry) Hiland Mar 23 | Catherine #3 |
| 12) Richard Hiland - Sept 28 | Catherine #4 |
| 13) Arthur - Sept 7th | Charles #3 |
| 14) Robert Oct 22 | Charles #4 |
| 15) Martha - Feb 4th | Charles #5 |
| 16) David Feb 4th | Charles #6 |
| 17) Terrance July 22 | Charles #7 |
| 18) Diana Kelsey Garbutt - Oct 3rd | Edward #1 Only child, lives in Tempe |
| 19) Jeanne Marie Kleykamp - Jan 16th | Ruth #1 |
| 20) Thomas (Tommy) Kleykamp Nov. | Ruth #2 |
| 21) Roberta Ann Kleykamp. Lintz | Ruth #3 |
| 22) Michael Kleykamp | Ruth #4 |
| 23) Elaine Marie Thomas Nov, 25 1959 | Roberta #1 |
| 24) Scott James Thomas Aug 21 '61 | Roberta #2 |
| 25) Alan William Thomas Oct 4, '63 | Roberta #3 |
| 26) David Robert Thomas Nov 3, '64 | Roberta #4 |
| 27) John Paul Kelsey - Nov14 | Lawrence #2 |
| 28) Maureen Kelsey - July 31 | Lawrence #4 Lives in Scottsdale |
| 29) Dennis Kelsey -- May 22 | Lawrence #3 |
| 30) Mary Margaret Drago | Lawrence #5 |
Backside of {SJT#8-6} (list of trips as described by Charles and written
by Roberta, typed by Scott Thomas as Roberta talked so it is
embellished):
1927 - Mary, Katherine, Charles, went with Mom & Dad in model T to
Su St Marie & Niagara Falls. It was a 2 week trip and it rained 11
days. While Ruth and Roberta stayed with Grandma Keitzer (Marietta
Freese). Edward stayed with Grandma Kelsey (Helena Steis). Paul and
Lawrence were in college (Purdue & Loyola).
Grandma had a porch swing and Roberta and Ruth would swing and eat jelly
beans. They would play with the water pump, racing the water down the
hill.
1928 - Florence Alabama, New dam on Tennessee River, Model T. Mom & Dad and Mary, Catherine, Charles.
1929 - Mary Catherine, Charles. Marion, Kansas. Pueblo Colorado. Jack
Prior family, to see a man whose daughter Dad had gone to CO because of
TB.
Grand Canyon to Prescott then to Phx, Tucson, San Diego. The road was
paved probably only 1 year.
Sacramento to see capitol, San Francisco coast to ferry across bay. No
Golden Gate Bridge. Mt. Hood picked cherries, Mt. Rainier. Seattle
stayed with Dr. West, Dad's classmate in Medical school. Vancouver BC,
Yellowstone, Salt Lake, Monterey.
1931-Detroit. Catherine, Charles, Edward. To Halifax. Tunnel to Winsor
Canada. Bay of Fundi in Nova Scotia. Picked blueberries in Maine.
Washington D.C. and home.
Another Document:
Old Sayings:
Market Basket
Union Suit - underwear
Ear Bobs (ear rings)
Soda Pop
Tin Foil
Cross The Line - (boarder)
High Ball
Jaloppy - old car
Ice Box - refrigerator
Sock Cap
Wash Rag
Dish Rag
Pickle jar
Settee - couch
Devan
Valise - suitcase
Lead Pencil
Dish Pan
Lard Jar
Waste Paper Basket
Slop Jar - chamber pot
Specks - glasses
Supper (dinner was at noon, there was no lunch).
Market Basket
Marcel - have your hair done in waves.
Ear Clips - ear rings
Description of Monterey IN by Roberta Kelsey Thomas
{SJT#8-7}:
Monterey Indiana
Population 350
The center of town, corner red brick two story building was Vic
Follmer's grocery store. The window trim was white. The store was
narrow with shelves up high on both sides. The custom was to tell the
grocer what you wanted, he did all the reaching would reaching and
running for the item. He also cut the meat and rolled it up in a
package of brown or white paper. Some items were in bulk and had to be
spooned into a sack. Sewing supplies were also available. Glass cases
held sewing supplies. The store had a side door visible from our house.
The front door was on main street and the back door went to the alley.
Vic had a helper. Kenneth Hiland (a teen, also worked at gas station)
was one of them. There was a gum machine (a penny) on a post in front
of the grocery store. The tavern was a scary dark place. Only windows
in the front. (of course women would never think of going in there)
There was a long bar, usually a lot of customers. Poker played in the
back. Lawrence played there when he was home from medical school. He
had lots of tokens in the (bottom) dresser drawer of his room. He once
in a while would give me a token for an ice cream cone. A dark stairway
near here led to an upstairs dance hall. I can remember the music
& Cath & Mary were at the dance on Sat nights. Chapman (IGA)
grocery store was in the next building. Wayne was one of the (Chapman)
boys. Catherine loved to sit on a bench outside (the grocery store) on
Main street, chew gum & talk to the young people. The hardware
store owned by Ed Masters was next. (Ed helped build the house) Ed
& Ida Masters had 11 children. Dorothy, Philip, --, Wilma, Carl,
Rudolph (Rudy was so handsome), Alberta, John, Martha (died, which
really hurt AJ, he couldn't save her), Pauline, Jeanie. (They were all
so talented) Carl liked Ruth Kelsey, Martha was in my class. The
masters were very crafty, the girls all could sew, they were all good
singers. Pauline opened a beauty shop in 1950's or 60's. Alberta was
known for her sewing talents. Even as early as 7th grade she could make
a pattern for a dress. She designed quilts in later years. Wilma
married Walter Kelsey (son of AJ's eldest step brother, William) and ran
the grocery store after Vic Follmer passed away. She also worked in
the drug store as a young girl. In the 60s and 70s she took care of the
boats in the river (they rented them out). (Wilma was who stayed with
Mary Helen as she slowly died) Wilma also was a cook at the restaurant
(which was part of the tavern).
Biography of Arthur Jonas Kelsey {file sjt#8-5}:
May 12,1997 (by Roberta Kelsey Thomas)
Arthur Jonas Kelsey M.D. was born in Monterey, Indiana, Pulaski County,
October 31. 1881. His father was William E. Kelsey M.D. His mother was
Helena Steis Kelsey. William E. Kelsey's first wife Claudine died.
Children of this marriage were William, Donald, Nellie and Walter
Kelsey.
(comments by SJT: Just to make this clear, WE Kelsey's wife, before
Helena Steis, was Sarah Barnes (not Claudine). WE Kelsey (sr) and Sarah
Barnes had a son WE Kelsey (jr), who married Claudine Misner and they
had, Walter, William, Donald, Nellie.)
Helena was a house keeper and much younger than the first wife Claudine.
Emma was the only other child born to William and Helena. These are
the names of my grandparents and Aunt Emma. Half 1st cousins Nellie,
Donald, William and Walter. Grandma Kelsey was nicknamed Laney.
Arthur graduated from Rush Medical School in Chicago, 1903. He returned
to Monterey and married Augusta Keitzer Kelsey on May 3, 1904. Augusta
was born in Monterey on Nov. 28, 1886. Arthur and Augusta had 11
children, all born and 8 of them schooled in their early years in
Monterey, Indiana.
Nellie Kelsey Overmyer told me she thought he acquired most of his
religious beliefs from Mary Steis Meyers who was Grandma Kelsey's
(Helena Steis) sister, who lived in Chicago. She said Arthur lived with
Mary Meyers, his aunt, when he went to medical school. Nellie said he
always went to daily mass when he was young. When Mary Meyers came to
Monterey she too went to daily mass. Grandma Helena Kelsey was not that
good a catholic and William E. had a dislike for the church.
Here are some things I remember about my dad. He was known in Monterey
as A.J. He was involved in all that mattered to the town and to the
people of Monterey. Starting in 1904 he delivered most of the children
up to 1949. Mary Helen Kennerk Kelsey (Charles' wife) said he would
have made a good pediatrician. This was repeated by Mary Alice Dilts
Susnarjo (best friend of Roberta Kelsey from Monterey). The two small
books list all the births. The births had to be recorded at the Court
House in Winamac.
Uncle Charlie Keitzer was the town's First National Bank president and
thus he was aware of how the town was succeeding. A.J. Kelsey was
involved with getting the Carnegie Library, knowing Carniege when he was
in Chicago. He ordered the books for the library. He kept abreast of
the news of the world. He visited with people who came into town. He
knew everyone who lived in the county. The bank , the elevator, the
lumber yard, the dairy were all run by relatives or people he saw every
day.
Arthur believed in a formal education for all his children. He felt
everyone should play a musical instrument. All were offered a chance to
better themselves but not all accepted. Religion was taught by example
from parents and by attending Catholic school. Not by verbal lessons.
Prayer books were kept on the colonnade taken on the way to church and
returned to the same place after service.
Sunday was a day of rest. After church classical music was played on
the Victrola in the dining room. Someone had to attend to the cranking
and turning over the record. After a big Sunday breakfast and lunch,
cooking for the day ended. We were taught to not do any work on Sunday.
Sewing even embroidery was considered work. We had to stay close to
the phone but other people in town went to visiting or had company.
Besides, we only had one car and it always had to be at hand for a quick
medical call.
Dad only had dress shirts, wore a conservative tie daily. He wore a
suit with a vest. High top black shoes, size 12, and always a dark
gray, felt, hat, with one straight crease in the top. The hat was worn
squarely with the front brim down. He carried and used white
handkerchiefs. He work dark-rimmed glasses.
Dad was 6 feet tall, stayed around 175-180 lbs. most of his life. In
late years after retirement he put weight on the middle front but not to
exceed 190 pounds.
He bought a new car every year always the same, 2-door, gun metal color,
dark gray Chevrolet. His car was his way to see the patients in the
country. He carried 3 medical bags. One was strictly for OB . it
contained a rubber sheet, and his record books. One bag was just for
medicine. Looks to me like the picture of Grandpa William E. Kelsey is
holding this medicine bag. The other big bag, held the stethoscope,
blood pressure kit, tec.
The telephone system in Monterey had an office on the main street in
town. Calling the doctor meant the ring came to the Dr.'s office and to
the doctor's house. If he was out on a call, Mother had to be home to
get the call and try to locate him. Finding Dad was one of Mother's
biggest tasks. He was visiting with people on the streets. He was
driving slowly out on a call. When he drove the country area he looked
at crops, talked to farmers, gathered wild berries beside the road and
many other foods and or flowers like bittersweet. People in the country
many times did not have a phone. Sometimes in desperation she would
call a house near and say have you seen him go by. He sometimes drove
slowly and listened to the radio that was attached to the steering
column. In the meantime Mother was nervous at home.
When Dad came home for dinner he parked the car on the south side of the
house and came in the back door. When he walked home from the office
he would come in via the front door. When the day ended he parked the
car in the garage. The doors were never shut. In 1943 and the war was
on, we got a new car but we had to take what was available. It was pea
green. My parents were aghast at the color. We were lucky to have a
new car. In the 1940's coming from Indiana my parents came via New
Orleans. They didn't arrive until Nov. While in La. they found out they
could get the license in that state for $3.00. So all year we drove
around Phoenix with the Pelican emblem on our plates. Mother was so
embarrassed when people would wave. To think we were from LA!
Dad was quiet and strict at the house. He liked to listen to the radio.
He had programs he listened to daily. Lowell Thomas, Amos and Andy, Jack
Benny, Eddie Cantor and his song 'potatoes are cheaper, tomatoes are
cheaper, now's the time to fall in love', news etc. He had a green
upholstered rocker on a throw rug next to the radio in the living room.
In the late 1920's he had an extension line running the length of the
house to the breakfast room. We had to be very quiet when we ate so he
could hear the radio. The station was Chicago, 80 miles away. Storms
etc. made reception very poor. Even in good weather it was not easy to
hear.
One of the jobs someone had to be brave to do was to call Dad to dinner.
He would be reading the paper and listening to the radio. We were all
afraid to disrupt him. I guess he gave us a stare with his light blue
eyes. I can't remember him being mean, so I often wonder why we were
all so afraid of him. He really smiled a lot and was good to talk to
other kids. When I would go over to his office and ask for a nickel he
would give it to me and sometimes one to my friend. I usually had to
ask him for the 50 cents that I needed for my piano lesson and he also
gave a smile at that time. Guess we looked to him as the rule, or
authority. For sure everyone respected him.
Dad had a lot of local Indiana expressions. I wish I could remember
more. He would say, "just as sure as twice two is four." Or "hotter
than a little red wagon." Bill Kelsey says he would use the word
"ought" as in 1904. (Nineteen ought four).
Dad played the baby grand piano. He was not good but he did love
classical music. He missed the keys and even I can remember saying,
"Listen to Dad, he is missing the notes."
Dad loved P.W. Crackers and long horn cheese. He had coffee every
morning which he made when he came home from 6A.M. mass. After he had
an evening meal he like to put Karo syrup in a shallow dish and with
bites of bread on a fork he would dip into the syrup until it was all
gone. He never complained about the cooking. He ate all foods. He was
fond of his annual gooseberry pie. He would find a bush and bring home
enough for at least one pie a year. We ate a lot of meat and dairy
products. Most of our food came from the farm called the Deckman farm
or from our own small garden, from Grandma Keitzer's or a patient would
bring us food. We got a lot of food for payment for services. Such as a
6 month supply of potatoes, a side of beef, bushels of vegetables, etc.
For services we also got beautiful quilts all hand made with tiny
stitches. People would come and shovel coal into our basement window,
or come stack wood in the basement.
Dad liked to talk politics. He read and listened to war news. He was
so nervous over the war. He was a lifetime Republican. He talked farm
crops and road conditions. He knew what the new products were. We had
nice things when I was born in 1924. Such as hardwood floors that were
polished slick. Oriental rugs, baby grand piano, venetian blinds, nice
light fixtures, glider on the front porch, ferns in a sun parlor, two
car garage, cistern under the house. We had at the kitchen sink hot and
cold well water, and hot and cold rain water. We had a galvanized
probably tin, roof. We also had 5 bedrooms and 2 baths. The house had a
full basement. He bought mother gifts for the house.
Dad enjoyed the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago. He managed to get there
probably 20 times. He brought home the ideas seen there to the people
who did not have the opportunity to see what the world was all about. I
do remember I only got there one time, but Ruth and Edward got to go
several times.
Likes to do carpentry work - worked at building big house in Monterey.
Could do all the maintenance on our house. Cabinets, plumbing,
electrical, sanded our hardwood floor, the refinished with the electric
polishers in the 1930's. Put pipes around house, made a sprinkler
system (pipes with many holes), and installed the venetian blinds.
Dad enjoyed traveling but of course he didn't get to go often. The
first trip that I know he took was in 1929. A car was outfitted with a
running board with a fitted box to hold extra supplies for camping. The
back seat was taken out and replaced with the tent and blankets. The
trip was to Arizona, where they saw the Grand Canyon and out on the
Apache trail. Still a rugged road today, 1997. They went to San Diego,
via of Yuma and the road built on boards across the dunes. Up the coast
of California to Oregon and Washington. They met people who gave them
fresh berries and red bing cherries. He took along Mary, Catherine and
Charles. In 1934 another trip took us to Denver, then to Wyoming, then
to Mt. Rushmore in ND. to Regina, Canada into Wisconsin to Devil's Lake
and back to Indiana.
We started the trip to Arizona in Nov. 1937. Stayed a week in El Paso, a
week in Tucson and about 6 weeks on East Van Buren in a trailer court.
After Christmas moving to Cactus, AZ now Thunderbird and Cave Creek
Road. Each summer vacation from my school we traveled to San Diego, or
Compton/Long Beach, San Bemardino, or to Prescott. Day trips all summer
long each year. Visited the zoo while it was still under construction.
Had to sit in an unfinished bear den until the rain stopped. Followed
the fire hazard roads on the San Bernardino Mountains. Meantime mother
spent the days alone in the trailer recuperating from TB. Dad love the
scenery of the west, the color of the mountains constantly changing. He
wanted to see the engineering feats. such as the Boulder Dam, he wide
highways. He loved swimming in the Pacific Ocean, jumping the waves. He
liked me to be out with him but I always was afraid and did swallow a
lot of water. He loved following the Colorado mountain streams. He
played guessing games as we traveled across the panhandle of Texas.
Example: Let's guess how far it is to the next elevator. We counted
train cars. Watched license plates. We were aghast at the oil wells in
Long Beach. We would follow the opening of a business with the search
lights while in Compton. We would visit airports just to see the planes.
We hit the museums. We went to travel log speeches, such as those
given by Barry Goldwater in the 1940's. We watched them build Bartlett
Dam. We went to Pinnacle Peak to watch them shear sheep. We took in the
Indian Ruins in what is now downtown Phoenix.
Dad loved to play golf on the home made oiled greens at Cactus. He
climbed all the hills of Phoenix, those around Cactus such as camelback
and Squaw Peak, daily. He would drive his car around the desert.
Usually didn't get too far because of the washes. He enjoyed doing
crafts such as pictures on thin copper. A craft I learned at the Desert
Mission in Sunnyslope. Then I came home with the idea of making place
mats. I am sure he made 30, 3-piece sets. I still have the frames and
shuttles and a few of the mats. All the family and many friends in
Arizona and Indiana got a set. He used knit crosheen, which he would buy
on Saturdays in downtown Phoenix.
Saturday was the day we went into town from the desert for 4 years and
bought groceries. We came home with a car full. The folks were so
proud to get carrots, radishes, green onions for one cent a bunch.
Oranges and grapefruit was also 1 cent a piece. Dad loved a bargain.
One time coming home from the day at the beach at Long Beach. He only
had a one dollar bill. He stopped at the store and bought round steak
veg. and fruit etc. It was what they wrote about that week in the
letters. Everyone in America watched their money because they had all
gone through the great depression. My dad was aware of all the extreme
poverty in Monterey and around the country. We didn't have much, but it
was still far more than other people. Especially when you think of how
many children he had to clothe, feed and educate.
Grandpa Kelsey left this life penniless. Dad gave Grandma money for her
groceries. I don't know what else she had. But on the other hand
people didn't need much. They ripped apart clothes and re-styled them.
Or people handed down clothes. People wore the same hat and coat for
years and shoes were mended, resoled or heeled.
Dad's will left money to an orphanage that no longer existed. He wanted
money to go for the upkeep of the gothic style alters at the church in
Monterey. The will was made before Ruth and I were born, but this is
what happened. He wanted the boys to get the farm they had worked for
years. Mary was to get her farm house called Sandy Haven, I, Roberta,
was to get the house in Phoenix and the rest of the money was to go to
the remaining children.
I never in my life heard my Dad raise his voice at Mother. I never heard
him tell her she was doing something wrong. I never remember him saying
you spend too much money. I never heard him say I have no clean shirt
etc. I think he approved of all that she did. They always talked when
they got in bed at night. I was still sleeping in the crib when I was in
the first grade and in their room. Their talking put me to sleep. They
giggled a lot. He told about his day and she told about her day. I
still can remember hearing my mother say, "Oh Arthur!"
While in Indiana, he liked to play pinochle, but often the game was
interrupted with a call. Mother and Dad would have the priest over.
We always watched the Maricopa Indians in front of the Walgreens and the
dime store on the sidewalks, selling their colorful pots. They sat on
newspapers wearing their big dresses. Never bought a pot. We drove
around the poorest sections of town south of the tracks. People lived
in dirt floor houses or adobe houses. Dad would give me a dime to go
to the movies every Saturday.
Dad enjoyed cooking in the ttrailer. He took over in 1937 - Mother lay
on the bed and told what pan to start with. After months he had his
own recipes for pumpkin pie. He loved making baking powder biscuits.
Biscuits and chicken gravy.
The first year we traveled, we were very tired, in a desolate place, no
trailer park or town near. He pulled off onto the desert like area.
Put on the lights using the car battery. Made biscuits and opened a can
of cold packed (canned) chicken. It was the greatest meal. He
commented, "Look at this good food!"
Wore a gold watch. Did not have a wedding band.
Called Mother Augusta, but many in Monterey, like Aunt Mildred her sister, called her Gussie.
Dad loved the house in Phoenix. 1821 N Laurel Ave., Phx. Phone
AL43692. He had to look for months for a house for sale between Central
and 15th Ave, near the park. Stayed in trailer while Dad worked
everyday on the 3 bedroom, 1 bath home. 7 years old. $10,000.
Furniture was hard to find. Mrs. Regan at Burrows helped him -- called
when something came in. WWII on. Worked on the steel frames of
windows, came in saying, "that song, 'let it snow, let it snow', keeps
going through my mind."
Went to book reviews at Phx college. Went to the movies at the new Palm
Lane Theater, saw Going My Way with Bing Crosby. Went to the Heard
Museum for lectures.
When Dad died in 1950, Mother said, 'Dad liked strawberries so much I'll have to eat them for him.'
{sjt#8-10} Disjointed notes by Roberta Kelsey Thomas:
Augusta L. (Keitzer) Kelsey: 1886-1956
Arthur Jonas Kelsey M.D.: 1881-1950 (Grad of rush medical school - Chicago, IL)
3rd Child: Bernard Edgar Kelsey: Jan-21-09 Apr 3, 1909.
Martha Laverne Kelsey: Jan 23, 1917 Oct 26, 1922.
William Henry Kelsey: Sept 6, 1922 - Feb 20, 1923.
Children in order:
Paul, Lawrence, Bernard, Mary, Catherine, Charles, Martha, Edward, Ruth, William, Roberta.
As part of a 8th grade genetics homework by Amanda Thomas,
Roberta Thomas had this to say about hair color in the family: Arthur
had auburn (reddish), wavy hair. Augusta had the mousey (light brown)
hair which was typical for the whole family. Ruth had the auburn, wavy
hair. Lawrence and Edward also had the wavy hair. Paul probably had
the darkest hair, but it was thin (as not much hair). Roberta had the
lightest color. Both Roberta and Katherine had fine (skinny) hair.
Roberta did not seem to think there was much special at all obout the
family's hair. -SJT, April 2020.
LINKS TO CHILDRENS FAMILIES
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PAUL CHARLES
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Born April 4, 1905. Married Margaret Johnson. Had two children.
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PAUL AND MARGARET KELSEY
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LAWRENCE EDMOND
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Born February 6, 1907. Married Loretta Cooney. Had five children. |
LAWRENCE AND LORETTA KELSEY
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BERNARD EDGAR
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Born January 21, 1909, Died April 3, 1909 from pneumonia. |
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MARY DORTHY
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Born August15, 1910. Married William Richter. Had three children. |
WILLIAM AND MARY RICHTER
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CATHERINE ANN
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Born October 26, 1912. Married Kenneth Hiland. Had four children. |
KENNETH AND CATHERINE HILAND
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CHARLES RAYMOND
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Born March 21, 1915. Seven children by Mary Helen Kennerk. [birth date is from Charles himself] |
CHARLES AND MARY HELEN KELSEY
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MARTHA LAVERNE
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Born January 23, 1917, died October 26, 1922 from pneumonia. |
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EDWARD JAMES
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Born March 1, 1919. Married Vieve Markley. Had one child. |
EDWARD AND VIEVE KELSEY
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RUTH HELENA
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Born March 7, 1921. Married Gayheart Kleykamp. Has four children. |
GAY AND RUTH KLEYKAMP
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WILLIAM HENRY
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Born September 6, 1922, died February 20, 1923 from pneumonia. |
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ROBERTA CECILIA
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Born August 31, 1924. Married William Thomas. Has four children. |
WILLIAM AND ROBERTA THOMAS
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KELSEY REFERENCES
PAGE AUTHORS