The Kadel family and its descendants have been associated with prominence in the city of Rock Falls since the mid 1870's when the family unit of five brothers and two sisters migrated here from their native Pennsylvania. The Kadels arrived in Rock Falls in 1875 at a time when the city of Rock Falls was enjoying a noted industrial growth including a flour mill, mitten factory, paper mill, school and farm implement manufacturing company and the Keystone Manufacturing Company which was later to become the International Harvester Company.

The Kadel family consisting of five brothers, Adam , Ben, John, Peter and William, along with their two sisters, Catherine Kadel Stahl and Mollie Kadel Brown and their husbands, migrated from their home in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. They were no doubt attracted to the Rock Falls community by the work offerings at that time and all of the brothers secured posts at the Keystone Manufacturing Company. One of the the Kadel brothers, John Kadel, was later to become an active civic and city leader holding offices indlucing that of mayor (1883-1895) and alderman of Rock Falls. He was also to enjoy the distinction of being one of the charter members and creator of the Keystone Band which later was honored as the official Sixth Regiment Band of the Illinois National Guard.

John Kadel Sr. was born June 19, 1842 near Chambersburg, PA where he spent his youth and education. At the time of the outbreak of the Civil War, Kadel rallied to the call of his country and enlisted in the 21st PA Cavalry. His musical talent was noted and rewarded by the regimental officers andhe was named the chief bugler of the regiment. Kadel was to serve throughout the war and is credited with participation in several of the major engagement. He returned to Chambersburg and married Miss Rebecca Neff on May 15, 1886 and they lived there until 1875 when they came to Rock Falls.

Kadel began his long career locally employed at the Keystone Mfg. plant with the exception of several years when he occupied a similar position with the Sterling Mfg. Company as a forge tool maker. Shortly after moving to Rock Falls, Kadel organized the keystone Band and served as its leader from some 21 years up to 1896 when he retired. The band had 32 members in 1893 and was one of the largest and best bands in this section of the US. During the contest held in Dixon theKeystone Bank won the first place honors as the best band in Illinois.

Following the Spanish Americna War, the Keystone Band was named the official band of the Sixth Regiment of the Illinois National Guard and was host band during the encampments held at Springfield under the able direction of Kadel.

Kadel was active in city and civic programs and was mayor of Rock Falls, 1893-95. He earlier served as an alderman for four years and was then elected mayor of the city. He was a member of the Rock Falls Lodge 936, A.F. and A.M. and of the Sterling Lodge 1218 B.P.O.E. and he retained membership in the Modern Woodmen of American of which he was one of the early members when the oder was founded in Fulton, Whiteside County. Kadel and his wife Rebecca were the parents of three children, a daughter Ethel Anna, who died at the age of 2 and two sons, Harry L. Kadel who died in 1927 and John A. Kadel Jr. died Jan. 8, 1929 at his home on Third Avenue due to injuries received in a fall.

John Kadel Jr. was born Aug. 23, 1878 in Rock Falls where he attended the RockF alls school system and later graduated from Brown's Business College. The junior Kadel was a member of the 16th commencement class of Rock Falls High School and the services were held June 7, 1897 at the Rock Falls Methodist Episcoplal Church. Kadel left Rock Falls for a short period of time to work in Chicago. He returned to Rock Falls and became associated in the hardware business ownd by his father-in-law, JEremiah V. McCarthy. The buisness was located at 221. W. 2nd St. in downtown Rock Falls. Kadel later left he hardware store business and became the cashier of the Rock Falls National Bank.

He left the bank business and bought an interest in a grain elevator with Fred Davidson. The grain elevator was located at the east end of the present site of Rubins Car lot on W. 2nd St. The elevator closed during the depression and in the early 1930's Kadel went on the road, traveling as a bank examiner. He was sent to Byron IL as a receiver for the bank and when the firm was reorganized, he became he cashier.

Kadel left Byron in 1940 and returned to Rock Falls where he bought an elevator then owned by Dutch Metzger at the foot of Locust Street in Sterling. He operated this elevator until his retirement. At one time Kadel also served as the treasure of the City of Rock Falls.

The John Kael home, which stands today is located at 410 3rd Ave. For some reason,m ost of the Kadel family either bought or rented homes on Third Avenue and for a time the street was called "Kadel Street." John Kadel Jr. married Gertrude McCarthy and they were the parents of two daughters, Virginia (Mrs. Roscoe Eades) and Mary (Mrs. Winfred Baker) Mrs. Eades resides in Sterling today and Mrs. Baker along with one daughter lives in Rock Falls.

"Bugler Kadel Writes from Civil War Battle Lines"

Dear Mother, as you have often requested of me or any of us to rite to se if you could read it and today is a butifull day i will rite and you must read i rote to the other day But this one is for you adam and me and uncle Bowers and riffle are all well i think that the cav. will go on a raid before long they are giving the men plenty of ammunition sixty rounds of carbine and forty rounds f pistol there is going Be something done Before long we lay in camp at Present.

there is three hudnred of our regiement on picket they stay out three days it is three miles to the line. Adam is detailed to shoe Company G horses he don't have no guard duty to do.

our majar is talking about raising a Band i don't know if i will go into it or not i can't stand it as well as i could ont time by brehy is much weaker than it ever was i have a cough but think it comes from a cold i wish this war was over am getting tired of it i think this winter will close it.

Mother i will send you two stars of our regimental flag it has been shot all to peices there is nothing but a rag i want you to keep them there has Been many poor man fall trying to keep up with it. Thelast fight the major took it and run toward the rebel force the boys were bound to follow him the boys all like him.

the enlisted men of the 21st have made him a present of a horse that cost $.50 dollars colars sadel and Bridel the hole thing cost $7.76 dollars. you may no that he is well thought of the regiment was formed early one morning the horse was there and he was called out of Bed he did not no any thing of it the sergeant major presented it to him he made a very nice speech got on the horse the boys gave him three hearty cheers.

he thanked kindly for the present and told us he would stay with us. i will close for this time pleas let me no if you can read this my love to all i remain dear mother your affectional son .. John Kadel to hiskind mother good by

Editors Note: The above is the complete text of a letter written by John Kadel Sr., a bugler in the 21st PA Cavalry duirng the Civil War, to his mother in PA. Kadel who was later made chief bugler of the regiment was writing to his mother who apparently was learning to read. The letter was dated Oct. 25 and failed to contain the year --