Fifth Generation

76. Stephen Avery KELLS⁶⁹ was born on 15 January 1844 in New York City, NY.⁷¹ He died on 4 December 1898 at the age of 54 in Sauk Center, Stearns Co., MN. He fought in the Civil War as a corporal in Co. I, Wisconsin 31st Infantry Regiment. He enlisted 19 Nov 1862 and mustered out 8 July 1865 at Louisville, KY. He fought under General Sherman and was on his march through Atlanta and Savannah. While in the Army he contracted dysentery and was in poor health the rest of his life. He came to MN in 1868 (land record of his buying 40 acres in St. Peter 1 June 1868) and later bought 158.26 acres from the St. Cloud land office in Stearns Co.. Per Wendy Negley, e-mail, 21 Nov 2009).

Stephen A. Kells was not only an honest man, but in every way an honorable one—a high type of the citizen, neighbor, friend, parent and husband. He was industrious, frugal, enterprising and intelligent, and was a successful farmer. Always pleasant and affable he had troops of friends in every walk of life, and it was ever a pleasure to meet him. His death is deeply mourned by a large circle of friends, and his memory will ever be cherished, an incentive to all and an influence for the good and true in life. he has three brother resident in this city, Lucas, Lyman M., and Robert, and a sister, Mrs. Palmer B. Huston of Getty. To them, and the children, the sympathy of all is extended in their bereavement.

Stephen Avery KELLS and Martha J. RUGGLES were married on 16 May 1870 in Waukesha, WI. Martha J. RUGGLES was born about 1852 in WI. She died on 24 December 1874 at the age of 22 in Melrose, Stearns Co., MN.

Stephen Avery KELLS and Martha J. RUGGLES had the following children:

+170	i.	Henry Avery KELLS.
+171	ii.	Bertha Allen KELLS.

Stephen Avery KELLS and Isabella "Belle" DUNCAN were married on 27 March 1877 in Home in Stearns Co, MN.⁷² Isabella "Belle" DUNCAN, daughter of James DUNCAN, was born on 6 June 1849 in Forrestburg, Sullivan Co., NY. She died in February 1897 at the age of 47 in Melrose, Stearns Co., MN.

Stephen Avery KELLS and Isabella "Belle" DUNCAN had the following children:

+172	i.	Margaret Hamilton "Madge" KELLS.
173	ii.	Stephen Archibald KELLS was born on 5 December 1880 in Melrose, Stearns Co., MN. He died in 1882 at the age of 2 in Melrose, Stearns Co., MN.
+174	iii.	Lucas Carlisle KELLS.
+175	iv.	James Duncan KELLS.
+176	v.	Dr. Oakford Allen KELLS.
+177	vi.	Lyman Morse KELLS.
178	vii.	Mary Caroline KELLS was born on 22 July 1889 in Melrose, Stearns Co., MN. She died on 29 January 1976 at the age of 86 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL. According to family lore, she was a writer. She never married.
+179	viii.	Robert Homer KELLS.