Kelly, Joseph A.

KELLY, MORRIS, WRIGHT, LAWLER, MALONEY

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 6/8/2003 at 20:59:00

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

JOSEPH A KELLY
Joseph A. Kelly is the senior member of the firm of J. A. Kelly & Brothers, manufacturers of furniture in Clinton. The industry of which he is the head is one of the leading enterprises of the city and Mr. Kelly belongs to that class of men who, while promoting their individual success, contribute in a large measure to the general prosperity of the community in which they reside. Keen discrimination and sound business judgment have been salient features in his prosperous career, and his life illustrates in no uncertain manner what it is possible to accomplish when honesty and perseverance form the keynote to a man’s character.

Mr. Kelly was born in Philadelphia on the 7th of August, 1855, and is a son of William and Ellen (Morris) Kelly. The former a native of Newburg, New York, while the latter was born in Inniskillen, county Fermanagh, Ireland, and came to America when a little maiden of ten years with an older sister. They took up their abode in Philadelphia and there the parents of our subject celebrated their marriage. The father is contractor and builder by trade, but for some years has lived retired, enjoying a well-earned competence. Both he and his wife are residents of Clinton. He was actively identified with the building interest of Philadelphia until 187p, when he came west, taking up his abode in this city, where he followed contracting and building on an extensive scale until 1890, when he put aside business cares to enjoy a well-merited rest. He was born in 1828, his wife in 1829, and therefore both have passed the semi-span of three score years and ten. In the evening of life they are surrounded with many comforts as a result of their labor and they also enjoy the high regard of many friends. In their family were four sons, who now constitute the firm of J. A. Kelly & Brothers, and two sisters, namely: Mary, the wife of J. M. Wright, and Ella, the wife of William Lawler, of Marquette, Michigan.

In taking up the personal history of J. A. Kelly, we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in the city of his adoption. He pursued his early education in the public schools of Philadelphia and later continued his studies in the schools of Clinton, On entering upon an independent business career he engaged in the manufacture of spring beds, joining his father, who was also interested in the same line of business. He became connected with the industry in 1879 and in 1885 he extended the field of his labors by embarking in the manufacture of furniture, while in 1890 the present company, carrying on business under the firm name of J. A. Kelly & Brothers, was organized. Two years later the business was incorporated with Joseph A. Kelly as president, Peter H. Kelly as vice-president, Thomas F. Kelly as secretary, and William J. Kelly as treasurer.

In 1880 Joseph a. Kelly had entered into partnership with Mr. Heminway, a relation that was maintained until 1890. the plant has been located at the present site since 1892. The factory is fifty-five by one hundred and fifty feet and three stories in height, and employment is furnished to about one hundred workmen. They manufacture many kinds of furniture, including couches, davenports, chairs and kitchen cabinets, but their specialty is upholstered furniture. The building is located at the corner of Eleventh avenue and Fifteenth street and is well equipped with the latest improved machinery for turning out first-class work. The house is represented on the road by six traveling salesmen and the goods are sold directly to retail furniture dealers. When Mr. Kelly began business he carried on his operations on a small scale, but now makes extensive shipments to all parts of the United States. Many of the products of the house are patented and include the patented Imperial reclining chair, which is manufactured in several styles, and the patent safety bed. They also manufacture a full line of couches of about one hundred designs of high quality. They also manufacture a pool table, which is sold only to jobbers, about one hundred of these being disposed of each month. The business has grown in volume and importance from the beginning and has now assumed extensive proportions. It has become on of the leading industries in this portion of Iowa and is of far reaching business influence, in fact it furnishes employment to a large force of workmen, thus placing in their hands the means of livelihood.

December 30, 1884, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Kelly and Miss Mary Maloney, a native of Chicago. The wedding was celebrated in New Orleans and has been blessed with three children: Harold, Paul and Geraldine. Both Mr. And Mrs. Kelly occupy an enviable position in social circles and their home is celebrated for its gracious hospitality. As a citizen, Mr. Kelly is public-spirited and earnestly co-operates in many movements and measure which have for their object the general welfare. The greater part of his attention, however, is devoted to his business interests. He forms his plans readily, is determined in their execution and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. There is no trace of the over-bearing task-master in him, for kindness and courtesy mark his intercourse with his employees and no one entertains for him higher regard that the men who work under him.