Joseph Archdale Kay, May 10, 1920, age 75 years, beloved husband of the late Maggie Primrose and the late Katie Stull; beloved father of Marshall, Mrs. L Smith, Ira D., and Mrs. Charles Page, Mrs. H. Burns, Jefferson, Edith, Mrs. G. Block, and Althea Kay. Funeral Monday, May 12 at 2:30pm from the late residence, 5508 Leland Ave. Internment at Union Ridge Cemetery. Source: Chicago Tribune.

Joseph Archdale Kay was born in Chicago on June 1, 1844. His father, Abel Archdale Kay brought the family from York, England to Chicago in 1843. He had previously worked as a shoe maker. Abel purchased a farm and home at the intersection of Franklin and Adams, just two blocks north of the current location of the Sears (Willis) Tower. Their farmhouse was listed in the 1844 Chicago city directory. The family later sold this property and purchased a large farm in Jefferson Township. The property was eventually developed and became a part of the Jefferson Park neighborhood in Chicago.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Joseph enlisted in the 1st Missouri Regiment Cavalry Volunteers on September 10, 1861, and was mustered in on October 6, 1861 in Rolla, Missouri. His unit was consolidated into the 10th Missouri Regiment Cavalry Volunteers in the winter of 1862. He enlisted in Missouri because they offered an enlistment bonus, which he sent home to aid his family. Unlike Illinois, Missouri had not met their enlistment quota. Joseph's Regiment saw action in the Districts of St. Louis, MO, Memphis, TN and Vicksburg, MS. At the Battle of Vicksburg, General Grant stationed Joseph's Regiment to the south, to prevent Rebel troops from escaping. He served until October 11 1864, and was honorably discharged in St. Louis. On April 11, 1865, he enlisted in Company K of Hancock's 8th Regiment of the US Veteran Volunteer Infantry in Chicago, and was assigned to duty in Washington, DC. He was honorably discharged on April 10, 1866. He returned to Chicago and resided there for the remainder of his life.

My father and I were named after Grampa Joe.