CORNELIUS KELLOGG

CORNELIUS KELLOGG, dealer in stoves, tin and hardware, Nos. 819 and 821 J. street, was born in East Hartford, Connecticut, December 14, 1840; attended the public schools of his native town and Hartford until eleven years old, when he entered Colt's Pistol Factory as an apprentice, where he remained about four years. Determining to go to sea, he went to New York, where he shipped for Antwerp, Belgium, thence to New Orleans, and returning to New York, the trip occupying about a year. In 1857 he determined to seek his fortune in California. Taking steamer from New York, by way of the Isthmus, he arrived at San Francisco in due time and came to Sacramento, where his brother Leonard was already established in business, and entered his employ. On the breaking out of the war in 1861 he enlisted in Company E., First Infantry California Volunteers, for a period of three years, expecting to be sent to the front, instead of which, however, the regiment was ordered to Arizona and New Mexico to look after the Indians. He held the rank of first sergeant in his company. At the expiration of his term of enlistment, he was discharged, with his regiment at Los Pinos, New Mexico, in August, 1864. Returning to Hartford, Connecticut, he entered the employ of the hardware firm of Terry & Cone, where he remained until 1868, when he was again seized with the California fever. Coming direct to Sacramento, he associated himself with his brother Leonard in the stove and hardware business. During his residence in Hartford he took an active interest in the local militia, and having lost none of his military zeal, he immediately, on becoming settled in Sacramento, identified himself with the National Guard of California by becoming a member of the Sarsfield Guards, then attached to the Fourth Infantry Regiment. In 1872 he was elected Colonel of the Regiment, which position he held for four years. Mr. Kellogg has been a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic since 1866, having joined the Lyons Post, No. 2, at Hartford, Connecticut, in that year. Soon after his arrival in Sacramento he was transferred from Lyons Post of Hartford and connected himself with Summer Post, No. 3, Sacramento, of which organization he is still a member. He has filled all important offices in the Post, including that of Commander. He also held various appointments on the staff of the Department Commander of California and the Commander-in-Chief. He is also an enthusiastic member of the Masonic order, having taken all degrees and held position of presiding officer in all the various branches. He also belongs to the A. O. U. W. and the K. of H. In 1869 Mr. Kellogg married Miss Alice Vorrey, of Hartford, Connecticut. They have three children. The two sons are both prominent in the order of the Sons of Veterans. In politics he is a Republican, and although declining all public honors, has always taking a lively interest in local affairs as well as national. Since the death of his brother Leonard, which occurred in 1884, Cornelius has conducted the business, and has the reputation of being a shrewd, careful business man. He has met with marked success, which has placed in easy circumstances.

Biography: An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California. By Hon. Win. J. Davis. Lewis Publishing Company 1890. Page 281-282.

Submitted by: Nancy Pratt Melton.