By Bill Kleppel
Egbert Benson Killey Sr. and Egbert Benson Killey Jr. were successful Poughkeepsie steam printers and newspaper publishers during the 19th Century.
Unfortunately, both of them dropped dead at relatively young ages. Killey Sr. died at 49 in 1852; Killey Jr. at 36 in 1873.
There was no secret to why the Killey men were looked upon with reverence after slipping so soon from this mortal coil. The father and son created their own legacies in a burgeoning local newspaper industry, which developed in Poughkeepsie during the mid-1800’s.
These legacies were strengthened and enhanced by their wives.
Julia Ann (Turner) Killey, and Phebe Helen (Stockholm) “Nellie” Killey, established themselves before, during, and after the deaths of their husbands. When it came to beneficial importance, Julia and Nellie’s life contributions exceeded their partners. Regardless of how much the men achieved, the efforts of these two women had a more lasting impression and impact on the City of Poughkeepsie itself.
Poughkeepsie Journal Marriage Announcement 2 Sep 1829
E.B. Killey Sr.
By no means, were the men slackers or layabouts!
Egbert B Killey Sr. started working at the Dutchess Observer in 1821. The Observer merged with the Poughkeepsie Telegraph later in the decade. Killey Sr. became editor and master printer of this publication in 1832, a position he held until his death in March of 1852.
The telegraph was a direct competitor with the more established Poughkeepsie Eagle. Yet, it was a congenial and respectful competition. The Telegraph leaned more toward the Democratic Party. The Eagle was known as a supporter for the Whigs, and then the Republican Party.
The Eagle’s obituary for Killey Sr. states as much: “… we enjoyed for many years an intimate personal acquaintance and friendly intercourse, which, notwithstanding our difference of political position, and contests we were obliged to engage in, was never interrupted.”
Killey Sr. was also known for his conscientious appreciation for his workers. His apprentices were never discharged after their apprenticeships without being set up with employment first. He often helped his workers begin their own businesses as well. Killey’s ideas for “the leveling up of the masses” were a progressive way of thinking well ahead of its time.
He was involved in the successful campaigns for free public schools in Poughkeepsie, a free library for young mechanics, and the founding of the adult education program, the Poughkeepsie Lyceum.
Julia A. Killey: The Female Guardian Society & the Poughkeepsie Orphan House and Home for the Friendless
Published in Poughkeepsie Eagle News 25 April 1939
During this time, his wife, Julia, was well known in Poughkeepsie circles for being a member of the Female Guardian Society. She was also one of the original founders of The Poughkeepsie Orphan House and Home for the Friendless.
The Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie evolved from both of these entities, and still exists today.
The Female Guardian Society formed on January 21, 1847. They originally met at the Mill Street Baptist Church to plan for the systematic care for the poor in the village. The society divided the village into districts and appointed committee members to work with the neediest in each district. A month after Killey Sr.’s death, in April of 1852, the first charter for the home was created with Julia’s help, along with the rest of the Guardian Society:
“A temporary home for respectable females without employment or friends; also destitute and friendless children of both sexes, until they can be committed to the guardianship of foster parent, or worthy families, who will train them to respectability or usefulness.”
This grassroots organization was dedicated to the projects founding and growth. For the next few years, Julia fundraised for the project. Both local government and members of the private sector contributed. Matthew Vassar and Samuel F.B. Morse gave substantial donations.
“Two by two they went into the highways and byways, the garrets and cellars; feeding the hungry, clothing the destitute, and providing employment and protection for the friendless and exposed,” Julia wrote in the first report of the groups work for publication. The report and other important documents were printed by the Poughkeepsie Telegraph steam press.
In May of 1855, a city lot was purchased for the construction of the home on the corner of South Hamilton Street and Franklin Street.
When the Home for the Friendless finally opened in 1857, Julia resided there as its first official matron. She left her own comfortable home, received no pay, and made sure the institution was well equipped and running strong. Julia lived at the Home for the Friendless for one year.
Home of the Friendless 4th Anniversary – 1861; Printed by Poughkeepsie Telegraph Steam Press
Julia continued her commendable work during her long life. She was a consistently strong presence in the life of her son, and to the women and children of the city. She passed away on November 2, 1898, at the age of 90.
Killey Job Printer; 258 Main Street in the 1860’s
Egbert Killey Jr.
With the help of his father, Egbert B. Killey Jr. had his hand in steam printing and newspaper editing at an early age. Along with Edward B. Osborne, E.B. Jr. helped continue the advancement of both the Poughkeepsie Telegraph and the Dutchess Democrat during the 1860’s. Thomas T. Spencer, a bookbinder, was also located at 258 Main Street. He collaborated with Killey Jr. on many printing projects.
In 1869, Killey Jr. founded the Dutchess Farmer, a newspaper focused on local news and agriculture.
Nellie Killey; Editor and Publisher of the Dutchess Farmer
Killey Jr.’s wife, “Nellie” was a major early contributor in the operation of the Dutchess Farmer. She handled the financial duties and was influential in the development of other employees. After E.B. Jr’s death from a long bout with tuberculosis in 1873, Nellie became the editor and publisher of the newspaper for the next decade.
During her tenure, Nellie Killey doubled the size of the paper, adding more agricultural news for Dutchess County, as well as more local news stories. Upon her retirement from the profession in March of 1882, she decided to transfer the rights of the paper to two men; Wellington C. Lansing and Edward Van Keuran (two printers who previously worked for the Poughkeepsie Eagle).
In 1886, Nellie left Poughkeepsie to fill a position in the U.S. Department of the Treasury in Washington, D.C. during Grover Cleveland’s first administration. Her experience as a newspaper publisher and editor, along with matters of business pertaining to running her own company, certainly helped her in this capacity. As the June, 5, 1886 Rockland County Journal notes, “Mrs. Killey, after the death of her husband, conducted the Dutchess Farmer with much tact and ability.” The Yonkers Gazette of the same day added, “…Mrs. Killey’s experience in business matters while editor and publisher of the Dutchess Farmer eminently fits her for her new place.”
In 1892, Nellie married William H. Haight in Washington, D.C. Haight was previously the proprietor of a horse boarding and sales company on Catherine Street in Poughkeepsie. The couple moved back to the city where they lived in the Nelson House for a few years. After divorcing William, Nellie remained in Poughkeepsie, and was an advocate for local church programs and charities until her passing in November of 1912.
