A US Civil War survivor who served in China

Joseph McKelvey was the son of Douglass McKelvey and Hannah Hamill and was born near Ligonier, Westmoreland County, September 15, 1836. He survived the civil War and served his church at great cost in China.


He spent his early years on his father's farm. He came to Westminster College at the age of 17, but because of financial difficulties he had to remain out of school so often, three years at one time, and therfore did not graduate until 1863. He persisted until he secured an education as so many McKelveys have done.

Joseph McKelvey was enrolled as a private in Company I, 55th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia on the first day of July 1863. He was mustered into the service of the United States as such for the period of 63 days from the 6th day of July, 1863. He was mustered out with Company I at Pittsburgh, PA, August 26,1863.

He then went to Jenia Seminary to prepare for the ministry. January 23, 1868 he married Miss Adelaide Moore of Allegheny, PA and together they entered foreign missionary work in Canton, China. November 20, 1868, Mrs. McKelvey and their infant daughter died. Two years later Rev. McKelvey returned to America because the United Presbyterian mission in China was sold to the Presbyterians. He brought the remains of his wife and child with him, and they were interred in Allegheny cemetery beside those of her parents. He entered home mission work in Kansas, where he labored for fourteen years.

On June 20, 1877 he married Miss Leanna Crawford of Dover, Racine County, Wisconsin. In 1885 they came east and settled in the congregations of King's Creek and Oakland, near New Cumberland, WV. In 1889 they went to Calcutta, Ohio and remained seven years. In the autumn of 1896 they came to New Wilminton,PA, in order to educate their sons and daughter. No regular pastorate was taken, but Joseph served many years in supply work until his death, August 24, 1910. He is buried in Fair Oaks Cemetery, New Wilmington, as are also his parents, Douglass and Hannah McKelvey; and his sister Jane.