Kellison Family

Jacob S. Kellison and Sarah Ann Morrison).

 

The Kellison family holds a deep, rooted place in the history of Pocahontas County, West Virginia, primarily establishing their presence in the early 19th century and anchoring themselves in areas like Mill Point, Little Levels, and later Jacox.

While the surname is relatively rare globally, it became uniquely concentrated in Pocahontas County over the generations, shifting with the county's transformation from rugged pioneer farmland to a logging and agricultural hub.

The Pioneer Generation: Edward Kellison and Mary Arbaugh

The definitive branch of the Pocahontas County Kellisons trace back to Edward Kellison (born c. 1783–1787) and his wife, Mary Arbaugh (born c. 1788).

Edward and Mary settled in the region back when it was still part of Bath/Greenbrier County, Virginia, before Pocahontas County was formally established in 1821. They raised a large family whose descendants spread across the county's distinct districts. Their children intermarried with other foundational local families (including the Ruckers and McCombs), weaving the Kellisons tightly into the county's genealogical fabric.

Major Historic Branches in the County

The family footprint expanded significantly through Edward and Mary’s sons, particularly John J. Kellison and William S. Kellison.

1. The John J. Kellison Branch (Mill Point & Little Levels)

Born in 1817, John J. Kellison married Susan Laura Thomas in Pocahontas County in 1844. They became prominent fixtures of the Little Levels District and Mill Point.

• A Massive Household: John and Susan had at least ten children, including Joseph Allen, Mary, William, Elizabeth, Madora, Laurell, John W.S., Daniel Luther, George Mathias Clinton, and Virginia.

• The Legacy: This branch was deeply embedded in the agricultural development of the Little Levels area throughout the post-Civil War era. John J. Kellison lived to see the turn of the century, passing away in March 1900 in Mill Point, where he is buried.

2. The William S. Kellison Branch

Another anchor of the family was William S. Kellison, who married Sarah Rucker (and later Rebecca Rucker McComb). His household included children like Rachel, Martha, Elizabeth, and Nancy B. Kellison. This branch solidified the family’s presence in the central and southern portions of the county during the mid-to-late 1800s.

20th Century Adaptations: Farming and Community Life

As the 1900s progressed, the Kellisons adapted to changing economic realities in the mountains, expanding into the timber-heavy regions like Green Bank and the high plateau lands of Jacox (which historically boasts one of the highest concentrations of the Kellison surname in the state).

Historical records and community archives paint a picture of a family deeply involved in local farm heritage and civic life:

• Agricultural Roots: Federal Extension and 4-H records from the early 1920s highlight young family members like Forest Kellison and Susie Kellison earning regional recognition for livestock and poultry management under early county agricultural programs.

• The Civic Narrative: Into the mid-and-late 20th century, members of the family remained active in local culture. For instance, Jeanne Kellison was a well-remembered face in regional community theater and the county's annual Pioneer Days theatrical productions during the 1970s.

Today, whether tied to old homesteads near the Greenbrier River or the high ridges of Jacox, the Kellison name remains a definitive marker of Pocahontas County’s enduring pioneer lineage.