Biographies, Adair County KY; William P. CHELF 1842- Date Submitted: 13-Nov-2001 Source: Kentucky - A History of the State; W.H. Perrin, J.H. Battle, & G.C. Kniffin; 4th edition, 1887 William P. CHELF was born in Taylor County KY 19-Sept-1842, and is the third of six children born to William J. and Rhoda A. (BALEY) CHELF, the former a native of VA and the latter of Marion County KY, both of English descent. William J. CHELF was born 19-Apr-1818 and at the age of eight years, in about 1826, came with his parents to Kentucky, first settling in Marion County where the family remained for many years. There William J. grew to manhood, was married and soon after moved to Taylor County, where he remained about six years. He then moved to Adair County where he bought a partially improved farm on Casey Creek, near Roley, upon which he remained until 1861 when he sold out and bought another farm some three miles further down the creek upon which he resided until his death 26-May-1879. For several years he was engaged in general merchandising in connection with farming and also in buying and shipping tobacco to Louisville, which at that day had to be hauled all the way on wagons. For some three or four years he also operated and owned a tanyard in connection with his other business. He and wife were from early life members of the Christian Church, in which he was a ruling elder for many years. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity. His father, Presley CHELF, was born and reared in VA and was one of the early settlers in Marion County KY. Afterward he removed to Taylor County, remaining some ten years, and in his old age moved to Adair County where his death occurred in his sixty-fifth year in 1855. Mrs. Rhoda A. (BALEY) CHELF was born 27-Mar-1819. She is still living and resides on the old home farm where her husband died. Her father, Hezekiah BALEY, was also born in VA where he was educated and married, and soon after immigrated to Marion County KY, being among the early pioneers. Here he remained for many years. His death, however, occurred in Adair at the ripe old age of eighty-two or eighty-three years, in May-1863, to which county he had removed only a short time before. William P. remained with his parents on the home farm until he attained his majority. In Sept-1863, he enlisted in Company I, Thirteenth Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry (Federal) and served until the expiration of his term of service, being mustered out at Camp Nelson KY in Jan-1865. After his return from the army, he farmed on rented lands for some five years. He then bought a partially improved farm of 125 acres on Casey Creek in Adair County, and adjoining the old homestead, to which he has since added other land, now owning a well improved farm of some 475 acres. Here he has ever since been extensively and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, and also in the live-stock trade, mainly in the buying and selling of mules. The farm is not only well improved but is also in a high state of cultivation. (On) 29-Aug-1865 he married Miss Louisa HENDRICKSON, a native of Adair County, born 27-Oct-1846. She is a daughter of Felix and Mary A. (MONDAY) HENDRICKSON, both natives of Adair County and of the English descent. Nine children have blessed their union, viz: Anna M.F., Sarah A., Perry A., Mary L., Felix J. and Laura E. (twins), Jake, Patrick and Melcenia B. (deceased). Mr. CHELF and wife are consistent members of the Christian Church. In politics he is a Democrat. Surnames: BALEY, CHELF, HENDRICKSON, MONDAY *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. Commercial entities must ask for and receive permission from submittor before downloading. ***********************************************************************