Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 4. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 141.
 
 
WILLIAM G. KELSO

     is one of the enterprising citizens of Douglas county, living a retired
life at Yoncalla. He was born in Lincoln county, Tennessee, on November 22,
1842, and is a son of John and Rebecca (Roden) Kelso, both of whom were natives
of Alabama. In 1845 they removed from Tennessee to Missouri and there probably
continued to live during the remaining years of their life. The subject of this
review subsequent to leaving home was never able to locate his parents after the
war or determine the time of their deaths.
     William G. Kelso was a frail and sickly boy in early life and in 1854, at
the age of twelve, he left the parental roof and came west with friends to
California for his health. After his arrival in the Golden state he parted
company with the man with whom he had made the journey across the plains on
account of the latter's dissipation and Mr. Kelso was thrown upon his own
resources in a strange, new land, having neither money nor friends to enable him
to get a start in life. He first turned his attention to work of any kind within
his reach and eventually became an employe on the ranch of one of California's
stockmen. In 1862 he removed to Oregon and located in Salem. He was there
engaged at teaming for a period of ten years, after which he went to Tillamook
county, where he operated a dairy for thirty continuous years and was very
successful. During that time he speculated heavily in farm lands and in that
particular branch of his business operations he met with gratifying, success. In
1905 he disposed of his holdings in Tillamook county and removed to Douglas
county, where he purchased three hundred and ten acres of land adjoining the
town of Yoncalla. That property he kept for two years, at the end of which time
he sold it, realizing as a profit an amount equal to the original cost of the
land. He now owns two small plots of ground near Yoncalla and is living a
retired life in that city enjoying a well earned rest.
     Mr. Kelso was united in marriage in 1870 to Miss Sarah I. Tomlinson, of
Salem. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Tomlinson, who crossed the plains
from Missouri to Oregon in 1852. To Mr. and Mrs. Kelso two children have been
born: Arthur, a clerk in Yoncalla; and Edward, who resides in that town. Mr.
Kelso is affiliated with the democratic party but is liberal in the exercise Of
his or suffrae. While a resident of Tillamook county he in was appointed county
assessor and later elected county commissioner, but he resigned the latter
office before the expiration of his term, the cause of his resignation being a
desire to visit California. He is one of the enterprising men of his community
and gives his support to every public movement which promises its further
advance and greater development.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.