Kelly, Jeremiah

KELLY, SILLON, FINUCAN, MALONE, RING, FAILOR, SHAW, MCMANUS, MCNANCE, LYON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 9/1/2009 at 08:11:23

Kelly, Jeremiah

Among the substantial citizens and representative agriculturists and stockmen of Jasper County is Jeremiah Kelly, who is the owner of a fine landed estate in Poweshiek Township, and is carrying on the various departments of his enterprise with that discretion and energy which are sure to find their natural sequence in definite success, having always been a hard worker, a good manager and a man who would quickly grasp an opportunity when it arose, and being fortunately situated in a thriving farming community, it is no wonder that he stands today in the front rank of his vocation.

Mr. Kelly is one of that vast horde of worthy citizens who have come to us from the Emerald Isle and who have done so much in furthering the civilization of the United States during its three centuries of existence, his birth having occurred in Kilrush, County Clare, Ireland. He is the son of James and Mary (Sillon) Kelly. He immigrated to America, settling near Mount Forrest, Ontario, Canada, in 1844 and farmed there until 1877, when he came to Jasper County, Iowa, where he has since made his home. He has said that his only regret is that he did not make the move sooner, for in Canada he struggled against adverse circumstances, including a bad climate, trying to farm when, in some seasons, there was frost every month in the year. Here he has found a more genial climate in which various crops thrive and by his indomitable industry, unflagging courage and rare tact he has prospered, being now the owner of one of the valuable and model farms of the County, which consists of nine hundred and sixty acres, which he has brought up to a high state of improvement and cultivation and on which he has made a great success as a general farmer and stock raiser, deserving a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished, considering the fact that he started with nothing and has had no assistance save that of a faithful wife and children. He has a beautiful and well-furnished home, substantial and convenient out buildings and about his place excellent grades of livestock are to be seen throughout the year.

When he lived in Canada he was a Liberal or a reformer in politics and he was active in his section, as was also his brother, who was a member of the County council. He and his sons are Democrats, adhering strictly to the free-trade doctrine of the people of their former allegiance. The family are all members of the Valeria Roman Catholic Church.

Before leaving Ireland, Mr. Kelly was married to Mary Finucan, who was born near Kilrush, County Clare, Ireland, the daughter of Michael and Mary (Malone) Finucan. To Mr. and Mrs. Kelly the following children have been born: James died in 1909, at the age of fifty-two years, in Poweshiek Township, where his widow, who was a Miss Ring, and their children still reside; John is at home assisting in the management of the farm; Michael is married and has a fine farm, well improved, near his father's place; William A. is at home and assisting with the farm work; Edward died when twenty-two years of age; Mary is the wife of Michael Failor, of Polk County, Iowa; Maggie is the wife of T. J. Shaw and they, too, live in Polk County; Agnes married A. P. McManus and they live in Marshall County, Iowa; Nora married George McNance, of Marshall County; Carrie is the wife of L. H. Lyon, of Colfax, Jasper County; Lucy died when seventeen years old; Lizzie died at the age of twenty-eight.

No family in western Jasper County is better or more favorably known or more highly esteemed than the Kellys. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 819.