KELLY, Henry 1831-1902

KELLY, EVANS, TANEYHILL, GRAY, WHITE, ARMSTRONG, BUTLER

Posted By: Mary Mys (email)
Date: 8/8/2009 at 14:58:00

OBITUARY

#1:

Henry Kelly, Waterloo

Source: "Waterloo Daily Reporter: Tuesday, March 15, 1902, Page 2

DEATH OF HENRY KELLY

PROMINENT WATERLOOAN

End Came at 7:30 Last Night After Long Illness—Was Man of Wide Reputation—Funeral Tomorrow Morning

(From Friday’s Daily; would have died Thursday, March 10, 1902).

Henry Kelly died at 7:30 last evening at his home, 309 Franklin street. He has been ill for several months, having been bedridden since December 1, and it was known for some time previous that the end was inevitable. His children and relatives were all gathered at his bedside during the last moments. The funeral services will be held at the residence on Franklin street tomorrow morning at 9:00 and will be conducted by Rev. T. M. Evans, of the Grace M. E. church. The remains will be taken to Osage on the 10:20 train where they will be interred beside those of his wife who preceded him to the great beyond but a short time ago.

Henry Kelly was born in Dublin, Ireland, October 5, 1831. When he was seven years old his parents moved to America. His father engaged in the manufacture of cloth in Philadelphia and New York. He gained considerable prominence by inventing the carpet shuttle loom that is now in general use. Henry resided with his parents until he was 23, having succeeded to the superintendency of his father’s factory when but 14 years old. He followed the tide of immigration westward and located at Decorah. Here in 1861 he was married to Miss Celestina Butler, the wife who was taken from him by the grim reaper on the 8th of last January. While at Decorah he was engaged in steel manufacturing on a small scale. In 1868 the family removed to Osage, when he began the manufacture of plows and other machinery on a larger scale. In 1887 he removed to Waterloo and established the flourishing business which he was connected with at the time of his death, the Kelly & Taneyhill Well Drilling Company.

In 1874 he was elected to represent Mitchell county in the General Assembly of Iowa. He early espoused the temperance cause and aided greatly in banishing saloons from Osage which provided that no brewery or manufactory of intoxicating liquors should be located within two miles of any town where saloons were prohibited. This was a direct blow at a brewery located about a mile from Osage which gave the citizens considerable trouble after they had banished the saloons. The bill was enacted. He was always an energetic worker and member of the M. E. church and has been trustee of that denomination for years. He was also actively connected with the Sunday school work in the different towns in which he resided. He was a member of the city council of Waterloo for two terms, serving with great credit to himself from 1895 to 1898.

Having always been an energetic worker his health gave way a few years ago, since which he has gradually failed. His wife was also ailing and they spent two seasons in California in hopes of benefiting [sic] both. They returned last October. Mrs. Kelly was gathered home on the 8th of January and since that Mr. Kelly has gradually failed, being almost prostrated by the shock.

Five children were born to the union, two of which preceded their parents in death. The living children are Mrs. O. B. Taneyhill, of Waterloo, Mrs. E. A. Gray, of Los Angeles, Cal., and Miss Clara Kelly, of Waterloo. The latter has been a great comfort to her parents, ever remaining home with them and caring for them through their long illness. Mr. Kelly is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Jennie White, of this city, and Mrs. Wm. Armstrong, of Canton, Minn., but who arrived in Waterloo last night.

Mr. Kelly’s death is greatly regretted by all Waterlooans for his was an exemplary character that made friends of all who knew him. While not actively engaged in business he retained his interests in the Kelly & Taneyhill firm that was fostered by him and is now one of the most thriving industries in this city.

Photo appears in the Obit.

[ Am not related to this family. ]

(M. Mys)
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#2:

HENRY KELLY IS SUMMONED

Death Takes Another of Waterloo's
Respected Veteran Citizens

Henry Kelly Respires Last Night
After a Long Illness

Short Funeral Services at the Home
Tomorrow Morning

Henry Kelly is dead. After weeks and months of lingering on the verge of the grave dissolution came, at 7:30 last night, and the spirit of the good man was called to his Maker.

While the announcement of his demise came as a severe shock to the many friends of Mr. Kelly, it was not unexpected. He has been in falling health for some years. A year ago last summer he went to California. The trip was made at that time on account of the failing health of his wife, and it was also thought the climate there would prove beneficial to him. The latter proved to be correct. When they returned to Waterloo last October Mr. Kelly seemed more robust than for a long time, and to enquiring friends he declared that he had not felt so strong in years.

But the improvement was not to last. Early in the winter. Mrs. Kelly began to fail and on January 8th she died. Her husband, who had been constantly with her during her sickness, was worn out by the long vigil, and was so weakened and depleted, in nerve tissue that his recovery at once became a problem of serious doubt.

For the past few weeks the decline has been gradual, and the, end came last evening quietly and peacefully, like a child sinking to slumber.

Henry Kelly was born in Dublin, Ireland, on October 5, 1831, and was 71 years of age. He came to America with his parents in 1838 and settled with them first at New York. His father engaged in a manufacturing business there, and at the age of 14 his son was foreman of his factory, a big weaving establishment. His father was the inventor of a shuttle for weaving carpets which is largely in use yet. Later Mr. Kelly moved to Philadelphia , and when he was 23 years of age he came west and settled at Decorah.

There in 1861, he was married to Miss Celestia Butler, his faithful and loving wife, who preceded him. to the final sleep but a few short weeks ago.

In Decorah Mr. Kelly established a manufacturing plant for the making far farm and drilling machinery. After conducting the business there 7 years, in 1865 he moved to Osage, while with much, larger facilities he continued the foundry and manufacturing business, making besides drilling machinery, shelters and plows. It was while he was in business at Osage, that Mr. Kelly was nominated by the Republicans and elected a member of the state legislature in 1874. He served but one term, but established a reputation as a hardworking and thoughtful legislator. It was a bill introduced by him which forbade the establishment of a brewery or distillery within the radius of two miles from a corporation. The bill was to deal with a case at Osage. The town was temperance, but parties were conducting a brewery located about one and a half miles from the city limits. The corporate authorities had no way to abate the nuisance, and Mr. Kelly's bill was brought up and passed. It was in line with ardent advocacy of temperance always.

Mr. Kelly moved to Waterloo, in 1887. Coming here was a step forward again for his business and an increase in facilities were again made. Since that time the Kelly & Tanneyhill Co. have manufactured goods, especially drilling machinery which have been shipped to all parts of the world.

In 1895 Mr. Kelly was elected as member of the city council from the Third ward, and served on that body four years, declining at the close of his second term to become a candidate for re-election. As a councilman, he was a hard and conscientious worker, and watched carefully the interests of the city.

Mr. Kelly was a lifelong member of the Methodist church, a prominent, worker in the Sunday school and for many years a trustee in the church here and at Osage. He leaves three children. They are all daughters, the youngest, Miss Clara, being at home where she has devotedly given her time to the care of both father and mother during all of their illness. The others are Mrs. O. B. Taneyhill, who has also been close to her father most of the time, and Mrs. E. A. Gray, of Los Angeles, California, who, with her husband, has been in the city the past three or four months. Besides these the deceased he leave two sisters, Mrs. Jennie White of this city, and Mrs. Wm. Armstrong of Canton. Minnesota.

The funeral services will be held at the home on Franklin Street at 8:45 tomorrow morning, Reverend T. M. Evans of Grace Church officiating. At. 10:25 the body will be taken to Osage, where it will be interred beside that of his wife. At the cemetery short services will be held.

[Waterloo Courier, Friday, March 14, 1902]

(S. Bell)