Santa
Clara County
Biographies
JOHN JAMES
KELL
Distinguished as the first male child born of American parents in Santa Clara county, John James Kell is also worthy of especial mention as being the oldest person in point of service connected with the San Jose Fire Department. Genial, open-hearted and whole-souled, he is eminently deserving of the regard and respect so cordially extended to him by all with whom he is brought in contact. Born near Madrone, Cal., October 23, 1847, he was baptized in Santa Clara December 25, 1847. His grandfather, Thomas Kell, Sr., emigrated with his family from England to Canada, settling as a farmer near Quebec, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which was caused by the falling of a tree.
Thomas Kell, Jr., the father of John J., was born in Durham, England, and with his parents came to this country. After his marriage he removed to Missouri, and in 1846 crossed the plains with ox-teams to California, settling in Santa Clara county. Buying land on the New Almaden road in 1847, he built a house, with the aid of his eldest son cutting all the lumber used in its construction with a whipsaw. He subsequently improved a farm of five hundred acres, devoting a part of it to stock raising and until his death, March 8, 1878, at the age of seventy-four years, was one of the most successful agriculturists of the community, and one of its most highly esteemed citizens.
He married, in Canada, Margaret Murphy, who was born in County Wexford, Ireland, and died, in December, 1881, on the home farm, in Santa Clara county. Her father, Martin Murphy, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this biographical work, had the honor of running the first American wagon track into California, coming here in 1844. Seven children were born of their union, namely: Thomas J. was killed by the explosion of the Jenny Lind in San Francisco bay; Mrs. Ann Columbet, of San Jose; Martin D., ex-county coroner and public administrator, died in San Jose; William D. died in July, 1879, in Stockton; John James, the special subject of this sketch; Mary Ellen, wife of T. A. Carroll, of San Jose; and Thomas Bernard a dairyman and stockman, living near Stockton, Cal.
Brought up on the paternal homestead, on the New Almaden road, John James Kell took advantage of the meager opportunities he had for obtaining an education, attending the district school when it was in session. Becoming familiar with the science of agriculture when young, he followed general farming for awhile in his native town, and then removed to Coalinga, Fresno county, where he was engaged in sheep raising for a few years. Returning to Santa Clara county in 1877, he has resided here ever since. In 1882 Mr. Kell entered the San Jose Fire Department as a driver of Franklin Hose No. 3, a position that he has since retained, being located on South First street, in the fire house built by the city in 1890. Fearless, coolheaded, and of good judgment, he has been very successful in his labors, and during the many years that he has been actively connected with the fire department has never met with any serious accident.
On December 25, 1869, Mr. Kell married Ellen Isabelle Givens, who was born in JoDaviess county, Ill., a daughter of Eleazer and Mary (Maupin) Givens, who came to California in 1852, and a sister of C. Givens, of whom a sketch may be found on another page. Mr. and Mrs. Kell are the parents of seven children, namely: Thomas E., first assistant engineer on the Newport, in San Francisco harbor; Mrs. Mary Wyatt, of San Francisco; Mrs. Julia Jaurez, of Monterey; Mrs. Helen G. Grigsby, of San Jose; Mrs. Annie Lynch of San Francisco; and Theresa and Grace, at home. After his graduation from the San Jose High School, Thomas E. Kell, the eldest son, spent five years in the Risdon Iron Works, and then enlisted in the United States navy, (sic) in which he served five years as chief machinist of the Baltimore, being with Admiral Dewey’s fleet on board the Baltimore during the taking of Manila, and receiving from the United States Congress a medal of honor for his bravery during the battle. Mr. Kell belongs to St. Joseph’s Church.
Transcribed
By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History of the State of California &
Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A.
M., Page 709. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Cecelia M. Setty.