Kelley, Thomas F.

KELLEY, SMITH, ONEILL, RORABAUGH, CAMPBELL, LEEPER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 9/1/2009 at 08:09:07

Kelley, Thomas F.

In presenting the biography of Thomas F. Kelley, one of the progressive citizens of Independence Township, Jasper County, who is known to be a gentleman of noble ideals and laudable ambitions, we believe that the reader will be benefited and encouraged, for his has been a life that has made for success because of the honorable principles he has employed in dealing with his fellow men and because of the many admirable attributes he possesses which make his daily walk one worthy to be emulated.

Mr. Thomas F. Kelley was born in New York City, November 23, 1846. He is the son of Patrick and Julia (Smith) Kelley, both natives of Ireland, the mother born on January 20, 1816, died in Jasper County, Iowa, in 1899, and the father's death occurred here in 1889 at the age of seventy-seven years. Their family consisted of nine children, named as follows: Mrs. Mary O'Neill, deceased; Thomas F., of this review; Mrs. Julia Rorabaugh, of Colfax; Mrs. Katie Rorabaugh lives near Colfax; Daniel lives on the old homestead near Colfax. The rest of the children died in infancy. The Kelley family came to Jasper County in 1868 and located in Mound Prairie Township, and here they became well established and influential in their community.

Thomas F. Kelley graduated from the grammar schools of New York City and entered the free academy, now known as University of New York City. When seventeen years of age he came to Knox County, Illinois, where he remained until 1868, when he came to Jasper County and he has since made this his home. He has met with a large measure of success as a general farmer and stock raiser, being now the owner of seventy acres of good land in Independence Township, which he has placed under excellent improvements and on which stand good home and convenient outbuildings.

Mr. Kelley showed his patriotic spirit by acting as drummer boy in the New York Militia during the Civil War, and he made an effort to enter the regular army, but was refused on account of his youth and size, being at that time a mere boy.

On February 17, 1881, Mr. Kelley was united in marriage with Jessie B. Campbell, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, July 13, 1856, and there she spent her early childhood, coming with her mother to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1867, and this has been her residence ever since. Her father, John Campbell, was a soldier in the Union Army and while in the service he fell ill and died. Both he and his wife, who was known in her maidenhood as Sarah Leeper, were natives of Ohio. The mother came to Jasper County, Iowa, and died here. Their family consisted of six sons and one daughter, namely: Jessie B., wife of Mr. Kelley; James, Alex, Thomas, Willis, Collin and George.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelley, namely: Royston, born October 25, 1881, was graduated from the law department of the University of Iowa; Dean, born January 6, 1884, was graduated in pharmacy at the Drake University at Des Moines; John A., born May 4, 1886, died October 5, 1903; Daniel Jay, born March 27, 1890, is principal of the schools at Lynnville, Iowa; James A., born November 23, 1892, was graduated from the Newton high school in the class of 1912. These children were reared in Jasper County and they have been well educated, their parents gladly making such sacrifices as were necessary; but they have been well repaid for their pains, for their children are now well prepared for the struggle which the poets call the battle of life.

Politically, Mr. Kelley is a Democrat and he has held every district and township office. He has been assessor in Independence and Mound Prairie Townships for a period of twenty years, serving ten years in each. In all his public offices he has won the universal approval of his constituents and discharged his duties in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and proved his loyalty to right principles. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Baxter. Mrs. Kelley is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. They are well-informed people and their hospitality, kindness and allegiance to high ideals have won them a wide circle of warm friends. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1190.