Tom Kelso was born May 25, 1889 in Havana, Ks. The second child of Marion and Belle Kelso. His father was a farmer, and large property owner. His grandfather Thomas Kelso Sr. struck the original claim on the property just N.E. of Havana after the Osage lands opened up.
Tom married at age 21 to Anna Raymond of Havana. They set up house keeping in Havana and Tom probably was working with his father-in-law at a grocery store or restaurant. Daughter Blendena was born in 1912. In 1916 the family moved to Tyro where Tom joined a brother-in-law in a mercantile business. Son Tommy was born in 1921. In 1925 they moved to Coffeyville and Tom bought a neighborhood grocery store. He was a generous neighbor, and during the depression he gave food to many people who often could not pay him back. His business folded sometime prior to 1939, and Tom was in debt. He worked for many years paying off his debts. After his wife died in 1930, he lived in Coffeyville with his son Tommy, and had several different jobs, but never again owned his own business. His son Tommy died in France in 1944 serving his country. After his daughter Blendena married, he moved in with her and her husband, and 2 children Jim and Yvonne. Many wonderful stories survive of his gentle, kindness. My grandmother Blendena told me he had a special way with children and could calm a crying baby. His son Tommy had 2 children (Rita and Tony) and I am told that he went over to their house every night and read the children a bedtime story. My mother was his granddaughter (Yvonne Irene Darst Holt).
He passed away Nov 1, 1964 of lung disease.
Tom married at age 21 to Anna Raymond of Havana. They set up house keeping in Havana and Tom probably was working with his father-in-law at a grocery store or restaurant. Daughter Blendena was born in 1912. In 1916 the family moved to Tyro where Tom joined a brother-in-law in a mercantile business. Son Tommy was born in 1921. In 1925 they moved to Coffeyville and Tom bought a neighborhood grocery store. He was a generous neighbor, and during the depression he gave food to many people who often could not pay him back. His business folded sometime prior to 1939, and Tom was in debt. He worked for many years paying off his debts. After his wife died in 1930, he lived in Coffeyville with his son Tommy, and had several different jobs, but never again owned his own business. His son Tommy died in France in 1944 serving his country. After his daughter Blendena married, he moved in with her and her husband, and 2 children Jim and Yvonne. Many wonderful stories survive of his gentle, kindness. My grandmother Blendena told me he had a special way with children and could calm a crying baby. His son Tommy had 2 children (Rita and Tony) and I am told that he went over to their house every night and read the children a bedtime story. My mother was his granddaughter (Yvonne Irene Darst Holt).
He passed away Nov 1, 1964 of lung disease.
Tom Kelso was born May 25, 1889 in Havana, Ks. The second child of Marion and Belle Kelso. His father was a farmer, and large property owner. His grandfather Thomas Kelso Sr. struck the original claim on the property just N.E. of Havana after the Osage lands opened up.
Tom married at age 21 to Anna Raymond of Havana. They set up house keeping in Havana and Tom probably was working with his father-in-law at a grocery store or restaurant. Daughter Blendena was born in 1912. In 1916 the family moved to Tyro where Tom joined a brother-in-law in a mercantile business. Son Tommy was born in 1921. In 1925 they moved to Coffeyville and Tom bought a neighborhood grocery store. He was a generous neighbor, and during the depression he gave food to many people who often could not pay him back. His business folded sometime prior to 1939, and Tom was in debt. He worked for many years paying off his debts. After his wife died in 1930, he lived in Coffeyville with his son Tommy, and had several different jobs, but never again owned his own business. His son Tommy died in France in 1944 serving his country. After his daughter Blendena married, he moved in with her and her husband, and 2 children Jim and Yvonne. Many wonderful stories survive of his gentle, kindness. My grandmother Blendena told me he had a special way with children and could calm a crying baby. His son Tommy had 2 children (Rita and Tony) and I am told that he went over to their house every night and read the children a bedtime story. My mother was his granddaughter (Yvonne Irene Darst Holt).
He passed away Nov 1, 1964 of lung disease.
Tom married at age 21 to Anna Raymond of Havana. They set up house keeping in Havana and Tom probably was working with his father-in-law at a grocery store or restaurant. Daughter Blendena was born in 1912. In 1916 the family moved to Tyro where Tom joined a brother-in-law in a mercantile business. Son Tommy was born in 1921. In 1925 they moved to Coffeyville and Tom bought a neighborhood grocery store. He was a generous neighbor, and during the depression he gave food to many people who often could not pay him back. His business folded sometime prior to 1939, and Tom was in debt. He worked for many years paying off his debts. After his wife died in 1930, he lived in Coffeyville with his son Tommy, and had several different jobs, but never again owned his own business. His son Tommy died in France in 1944 serving his country. After his daughter Blendena married, he moved in with her and her husband, and 2 children Jim and Yvonne. Many wonderful stories survive of his gentle, kindness. My grandmother Blendena told me he had a special way with children and could calm a crying baby. His son Tommy had 2 children (Rita and Tony) and I am told that he went over to their house every night and read the children a bedtime story. My mother was his granddaughter (Yvonne Irene Darst Holt).
He passed away Nov 1, 1964 of lung disease.
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