My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM J. KELSEY, M. D., one of the most successful medical practitioners of Cass County, Mich., began the wearing duties of his profession in Cassopolis in 1865. Remaining constantly in the same place of residence, he has for nearly thirty years gone his daily rounds amid sunshine and storm, and is widely known as an able and skillful physician, enjoying a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Kelsey was born in Niagara County, N. Y., August 20, 1839, and was but an infant when his parents removed to their new home in the West. Our subject was one of the four children of James and Mary (Compton) Kelsey. The father, a native of New England, was born in the town of Haddam, Middlesex County, Conn. The paternal grandfather, James Kelsey, an energetic and excellent business man, was also of Connecticut birth and was largely interested for many years in the stone quarries of his part of Middlesex County. The Kelsey family were among the pioneer settlers of Connecticut, the ancestors of our subject having emigrated from England but fifty years after the “Mayflower” landed at Plymouth Rock. Father Kelsey early journeyed to the State of New York and there made his home for many years, but finally settled in La Grange Township, Cass County, Mich., in 1839.

Dr. Kelsey received his primary education in the schools of La Grange Township, and also enjoyed the benefit of a classical course in the Baptist College at Kalamazoo. He studied in the medical department of the State University at Ann Arbor, and later completed his preparation for the duties of his profession at Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which celebrated institution of learning he graduated in the Class of ‘65. From that time the life of our subject has been devoted to the demands of a widely-extended practice in Cassopolis and the adjoining country. Taking a high place in the ranks of the profession of medicine, Dr. Kelsey has for more than a score of years been an active member of the American Medical Association, and is also a member of the Cass County Medical Society. Our subject was Pension Examiner under the first administration of President Cleveland, and has always been closely identified with all the social and progressive interests of Cassopolis.

In his political affiliation our subject is a pronounced Democrat and a most ardent advocate of the principles of his party. Ever interested in local and National issues, he has been the efficient Chairman of the Democratic County Committee. Dr. Kelsey is a prominent member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, affiliating with Backus Lodge, Kingsley Chapter and Niles Commandery. Our subject was united in marriage September 25, 1876, with Miss Calista, daughter of Henry Tietsort, of La Grange Township, this county. Mrs. Kelsey was one of the five children of her parents, old-time residents of the State. One son, James H., has blessed the home of our subject and his estimable wife. This son, a promising young man, is now a student at the Cassopolis High School, and has before him the prospect of a bright future. Worthily performing the daily duties of his life, given mainly to the relief of suffering humanity, Dr. Kelsey has well earned the esteem and respect accorded to him by all the residents of Cassopolis and the surrounding country, and is known as a liberal-spirited citizen, ready to aid in all matters of public welfare.