Samuel McKelvie
Samuel McKelvie was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1849. He moved to Appanoose County, Iowa, 1851; located in Schuyler County, Illinois, 1852, and was reared there. He married Jennie Glandon in 1872. They had nine children; Homer L., Otis A., Othello, Samuel Roy, Jennie Maud, Hiram Claud, Pearl, Florence and Floyd. He located near Fairfield, Clay County, Nebraska in 1879 and one year later moved on the near-by farm where he raised his family.
When Samuel McKelvie left Illinois in 1879, to make his home on the prairies of Nebraska, the last thing he put in the freight car was Poland China pigs. They were the start of a purebred herd which he afterwards showed for fifty-two years at local, state and national affairs and expositions, including the World's Fair in 1893, the Trans-Mississippi Exposition in 1898 and the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis in 1904.
When he came to Nebraska, Mr. McKelvie was the only one having hogs and was known as the hog man. He also attended the first meeting of livestock breeders which was held at the University Farm. Eight people were there. The one he attended in 1934 had over 1400 farmers and breeders. While in Lincoln for a few years he taught short courses in swine judging and found it to be one of the most interesting jobs he ever had. Also, while in Lincoln he took four boys to the International Fat Stock Show and they placed first at that show in judging.
1849-1943