Charles S. Kelsey

Kelsey was born on October 7, 1822, in Perry, New York.^[3] His older brother, William H. Kelsey, was a member of the United States House of Representatives and his younger brother, Edwin B. Kelsey, was also a member of the Assembly and the Senate.^[4]

Before moving to Montello, Wisconsin, in 1854, Kelsey married Lucretia Bacon in 1840. They had four children before her death in 1869. Among them were Otto Kelsey, who became a member of the New York State Assembly, and Julia Kelsey, who became Postmistress of Montello.^[4]

Kelsey was a member of the Senate from 1862 to 1864 and of the Assembly in 1867, 1873 and 1880. He was a Republican before and after the American Civil War, but was elected on the National Union Party ticket for his 1863–1864 senate term and his 1867 assembly term.^[2][4]

Kelsey died in Montello on June 18, 1901, and his remains were taken to Geneseo, New York, for burial.^[5]