Elisha Strong Kellogg

Elisha Strong Kellogg was born 27 November 1824 in Glastonbury, Connecticut. He was the son of Maria Stratton Kellogg and Captain Elisha Kellogg. It is believed that he began whaling in New London, Connecticut, at age 14, and he may also have been a merchant sailor. He learned the trade of toolmaking in Massachusetts, and he worked for a time as a toolmaker in Connecticut. He joined the California Gold Rush in 1849, sailing out of New York on the ship South Carolina. Kellogg was not successful with prospecting, and he returned to toolmaking in Connecticut.

On 23 October 1853, Elisha Strong Kellogg married Polly G. Brown of Winsted, Connecticut. In 1861, he enlisted in the Company B, 3rd Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, later called the 1st Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery. Kellogg rose to the rank of Colonel of the 2nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery before being killed at the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia, on 1 June 1864.