James Keleher, farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 25, Edgington Township, was born in county Latram, Ireland, in March 1819. He came with his parents from Langford County to America in 1849. They first located in Brooklyn N. Y., where they remained for two years. They went from there to New Orleans, where in 1851, our subject was married to Miss Eliza Biglan, who was born in 1826, a native of Langford County, Ireland. She came to America at the same time Mr. K. did, and some years later were married, in a distance city from where they arrive in this country. To them have been born six children, two of whom are deceased. Those living are Michael, a practicing physician of Chicago; Thomas, who is working the home farm; Eliza and James. Those deceased are Mary, who married John Mack, and was living in Mercer Co., Ill., when she was accidentally killed by a large dinner bell, while ringing it. The fastenings of the bell gave way, letting the heavy bell fall squarely upon her head; she lived but 37 hours afterward; she left three children, Jane, John and Thomas; Catherine, the other member of the family, died when three years of age.
  Mr. K. came to Illinois in 1855, and located in Edgington Township, and in 1865 purchased a farm upon which he now resides. It contains 280 acres, is all well improved, and has upon it an elegant residence. His farm will compare well with the best in the township. Both himself and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. Politically, he is a Democrat.
(Portrait And Biographical Album of Rock Island County, Illinois. Chicago, Biographical Publishing Co., 1885, p. 257)