KALLEY

Isaac M. Kalley. For his valiant services as a soldier in the Civil War, as well as for his enterprise and thrift as a private citizen, Mr. Kalley deservedly occupies a prominent position among the farmers of Raccoon Twp, Parke County.  He was born here on 15 October 1832, and is a son of Nathaniel B. and Rebecca Hammon Kalley. The name is Scotch, but the immediate ancestors of our subject came from the North of Ireland, where his grandfather, whose name was Daniel Kalley, was born.  The later with his father emigrated to this country prior to the Revolutionary War and settled in NY state, not far from the Catskill Mountains. Two brothers of Daniel Kalley, George and William, served in the War of Independence, and participated in nearly all the leading battles of that great struggle.  Daniel himself served in the War of 1812.  The father of our subject, Nathaniel B. Kalley, was born in New York State, where his father settled in 1800. The latter was a man of roving disposition and not long after the birth of Nathaniel B he started for the Ohio frontier, where the lad grew to a rugged and vigorous manhood. When but 19, he married Rebecca Hammon, an estimable lady, who was of German descent. Her father, Abram Hammon, was probably born in Germany but of this no positive information can be gained. It is know, however that he spoke very broken English, yet he may have been born in this country.   He served in the Revolutionary War and was wounded in battle.  He died in Vermillion County, Indiana many years ago, being over 90 years of age at the time of his demise.  Daniel Kalley married Vashti Bliss, who came from Massachusetts and dated her family history back to the landing of the Pilgrim fathers.  In 1822, accompanied by his young wife, Nathaniel B. Kalley came to Parke County, Indiana and settled in Raccoon Township.  Soon afterward his parents and other members of the family came here from Ohio and the grandfather died her e in 1834, his wife passing away some years later. The mother of our subject also died in 1834, when he was but two years old.  Some time later his father married Charity (Gray) Nelson, a widow. Of the first marriage 7 children, 5 sons and 2 daughters were born of whom Isaac was the youngest.  Ruth, the eldest, died when about 21 years old; Abram, who was born in 1824, served in the War of the Rebellion and died in Raccoon Township, March 18, 1892; George passed away in childhood; William also died when small; Daniel was removed by death in 1862; Vashti who was born in 1830 married John J. Webster who served in the late war and was killed in a coal bank not long after the close of that struggle.  She is now living in Jackson Township.  Of the children born of the second marriage of Nathaniel B. Kalley, three died when they were small.  Married first George Hansel, a soldier in the late war, who died from injuries received while in service and afterward married Dempsey Seybold. The other half sister, Malinda, married and removed to the West.  Isaac Kalley grew to manhood on the home farm, and as his parents were poor, his education was necessarily meager.  He never had a pair of shoes on his feet which were made expressly for him until 13 years old, but wore shoes which the older ones had outgrown. When he was 21, he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a carpenter, which he was following at the opening of the Civil War.  At the first call for volunteers, he tendered his services for the defense of his country, and on April 23, 1861, we find his name on the rolls of Co. A, 14th Indiana Infantry as a private. He was at once sent to the front in West Virginia, and his first battle was at Rich Mountains, after which, with the command, he went to Beverly, Huttonville, and Cheat Mountains, remaining at the last-named place until the fall of 1861.  To give in detail the service of this man, who proved himself on more than one occasion to be one of the bravest men that ever shouldered a musket, would be a great task.  Suffice it to say that for 3 years he served his country faithfully and well.  Three times he was wounded, but was never from any battle in which his regiment participated and was never but once excused from duty. He did good service in the Shenandoah Valley, participating in the battle of Winchester and the engagements at Cheat Mountain, Green Brier, Romley, Strausburgh and others of importance.  He was at Fredericksburg when a call for volunteers was made to attempt to cross the pontoon bridge in the face of the enemy’s fire, an undertaking which meant almost certain death. Not a man in that great army was willing to face the danger until Isaac Kalley sprang to the front and said that he was one who was willing to risk his life in the daring expedition for his country's good. In this hazardous feat 56 per cent of the number were killed and our subject came nearly losing his life, being struck by a piece of shell.  He was compelled to remain in the hospital at Washing several months but rejoined his regiment in front of Chancellorsville, where his gun was shot out of his hand.  In the fight at Gettysburg he was again wounded in the right shoulder and was obliged to go to a hospital at Newark, New Jersey. This ended his active service for while confined there his term of service expired and he was discharged at Trenton New Jersey April 23, 1864. He was anxious to reenlist but was not accepted on account of his injuries.  He returned home and as soon as able resumed work at his trade. In 1867, Mr. Kalley married Catherine Elson who was born in Ohio, a daughter of Henson Elson. They had 4 children. Albert Elsworth died in childhood; Arthur Edgar is a rising young man and is being educated at Wabash College; Milton is at home; Myrtle May received an excellent education in the home schools and is an accomplished young lady. After his marriage our subject settled on the farm where he has since resided. Politically, he is a strong Republican. He is actively identified with Kalley Post GAR, at Bridgeton and for his services in the late war and injuries there received, he draws a pension of $17 per month.  - Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana.  Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, Page 660.

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