Of all the treasures in my genealogy collection, these original tintypes are among the most precious. They are two of only a few early photographs I have of my 2X great grandparents, Chloe Ann (Headley) Kelso and Oliver Hazard Perry Kelso, and every time I look at them I’m reminded how remarkable it is that these tiny images have survived for well over 150 years.

These tintypes came to me from my Aunt Dorris (Sickels) Smith before she passed away in 2019. Dorris, who was married to my great grand uncle, Virgil Smith, devoted decades to researching the Smith, Kelso and related family lines. Her work lives on through the genealogy books and pamphlets she authored, many of which are now preserved in the historical collection of the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indian.

Dorris also graciously gave me Chloe and Oliver’s original marriage certificate that included two additional photos of the young couple from 1877.

Chloe Ann Headley was born in Steuben County, Indiana August 25, 1857. Her parents were Daniel David Headley (1808-1869) and Louisa (Hardy) Headley (1822-1897). To drop their lives into the context of American history, Chloe was about 4 years old when the Civil War began on April 15, 1861.

Chloe had two older (full) brothers, Ephraim born in 1853 and Walter born in 1855. In 1860, Daniel and Louisa had another son, Lyman Headley. Lyman died at the age of two in 1862. As of this writing, I cannot find any records detailing his cause of death.

Chloe also had five older half siblings as Chloe’s father, Daniel, was previously married in 1833 to Margaret (Cathers) Headley. Margaret died April 6, 1849 at the age of 35 years. At the time of her death, her youngest child was about 4 years old.

After the death of his first wife in 1849, Daniel remarries to his second wife, Louisa Hardy (my 3X great grandmother), less than a year later on February 6, 1850. Daniel is 41 years old, Louisa is 28.

By all accounts, Louisa was an exceptional stepmother to Daniel’s children and a loving mother to both her stepchildren and the children she would later have with Daniel. Their large blended family seemed to be harmonious, with Louisa being remembered fondly by all at the time of her death.

On July 28, 1869 when Chloe is 12 years old, her father is fatally injured in a farming accident. The event, detailed in the news article below, occurred on July 28, 1869. Daniel succumbed to his injuries and died 44 days later at the age of 61.

Louisa (Hardy) Headley will remarry the next year to John Folck. This will be Louisa’s second marriage and Folck’s third marriage, John Folck having outlived two previous wives. Both of Louisa’s marriages were to widowers where she raised their children.

On December 29, 1877 when Chloe is 20 years old, she marries 21-year old Oliver Hazard Perry Kelso in Steuben County, Indiana. The next year their first child, a son Fred Merton Kelso is born, followed by five other children over the next several years. My great grandmother, Ola (Kelso) Smith was born in 1890.

The year 1886 was likely a traumatic one for Chloe and Oliver. In February 1886 their toddler son, Claud Kelso dies. Later that same year in October 1886, Chloe delivers another baby, this time a girl, Eva Kelso. Eva survives only six weeks before she passes. Claud and Eva share a headstone. I have not yet been able to locate any documentation that records their causes of death.

Buried in Dygert Cemetery, Angola, Indiana. Claud died just a few weeks shy of his third birthday in February 1886. In October 1886 Chloe gives birth to daughter Eva who dies only six weeks later in December 1886.

In 1934, Chloe’s husband, Oliver, dies unexpectedly while visiting his son, Hugh Kelso in Jackson, Michigan.

Chloe was 76 years old when Oliver passed. She spent the rest of her life closely surrounded by her family and living with her children over the remaining years of her life.

Chloe died September 26, 1956 at the age of 99 years old.