William Morton Kelly

KELLY, MOORE, LEWIS, HENDERSON, SARBOUGH, HARVEY, WATKINS, CAMPBELL, GAST

Posted By: Connie L. Ellis (email)
Date: 12/4/2010 at 22:07:29

SOURCE: Waukon, Iowa newspaper January 1907
Contributor: Connie L.Ellis (Relative - Kelly researcher)

DEATH OF EX-SUPERVISOR KELLY

The death of William Morton Kelly occurred Saturday, January 18, 1907, at his home east of Rossville, Iowa. The news of which came as a sorrowful shock to the numerous friends and acquaintances of the deceased. Most of whom were unaware of his illness. He has not enjoyed the best of health in late years and in the past several months, he had failed perceptibly. Mr. Kelly was a tried and true man. In consequences of which he bore an estimable name among his neighbors and friends who sincerely mourn his death.

William Morton (or Morgan) Kelly was born in German Township, Harrison County, Ohio on April 7, 1833, being 73 years, 9 months and 11 days old at the time of his death. He was the son of Daniel Kelly and Sarah (Moore) Kelly. He was the eldest of a family of nine children, six of whom survive him; Philip and Richard Kelly of Rockwell, Iowa; Mrs. Martha Henderson of North Dakota; Mrs. Eliza Sarbough of Stuart, Iowa; Mrs. Jane Harvey of Brewster, Minnesota and Mrs. Emily Anna Watkins of Rossville,Iowa.

While in Ohio he was married to Miss Sarah Lewis, August 19, 1858. Of their ten children, two died when young, Benner and Emily. The eight living children are Mrs. Samuel Campbell of Giltner, Nebraska; Mrs. Thomas Campbell of Sheridan, Wyoming, Fred Kelly of Giltner, Nebraska, Jessie Lewis Kelly, Mrs. Albert Gast, Daniel Kelly, Nettie Kelly, and William H. Kelly, all living near Rossville, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Kelly came to Iowa in 1861, along with his parents, and settled in Linton township. For two years he was in the mercantile business in Rossville. Later he went to Mason City and continued in the same business, returning to Rossville in 1873. In that year he located on the farm where he spent the remainder of his life.

Mr. Kelly was a charter member of the Presbyterian Church in Rossville and took a prominent part in the affairs of the church. He was a member of the Board of Supervisors some years ago and was always a prominent counselor in the affairs of his party. The inclement weather barred many from paying their personal respects to the memory of the deceased, though a large congregation were present at the funeral held at the Rossville Presbyterian Church Sunday afternoon with Rev. R.L. Van Nice officiating. Mr. Kelly was a just man, a kindly, generous neighbor, a loving husband and father who has passed to his reward. Mr. Kelly was buried in the Rossville Cemetery at Rossville, Iowa.