KELLEY, WILLIAM M. d. 1920

KELLEY

Posted By: Georgea Clinton (email)
Date: 10/5/2008 at 11:24:06

Tipton Advertiser Friday February 20, 1920 page 1 column 1: Captain William Kelly answers last call, veteran of 24th Iowa and prominent for many years in affairs of Cedar County.

A telegram of H L Brotherson last Saturday brought news of the death in the Soldiers Home in Grand Island, Nebraska of Captain William Kelly, a former well known Cedar County man and vet of the Civil War.

Capt Kelly was born in LaGrange Co on February 22, 1844 and at the time of his death lacks one day of being 76 years old. He came with his parents to Cedar Co in 1847, the trip bieng made in a covered wagon. The county was very sparsely settled at the time they arrived and settled on a farm SE of town.

When the Civil War broke out he was eager to go and enlisted as a private in August 1862 when he was but 17 years of age. He enlisted as a private in Company B of the 24th Iowa which was largely recruited in this county and served until mustered out in August 1865. His fine soldierly qualities led to his promotion to orderly sargeant and later 1st liutenant of his company. He was acting adjustant of his regiment for 3 months and at one time was detailed as ambulance officer of the 2nd Division of the 13th Army Company. He was in 7 battles. Everyone of his old comrades testify to his fine soldier record and love to tell of the day at Winchester when he rallied the company and rendered conspicuous service in helping to stay the rout of the Union troops and turn defeat to Victory.

Returning from war he engaged in farming which he followed until 1875 when he was elected sheriff, a position he held for 3 terms. The county never had a more popular and better liked official. He was a man of stong and winning personality.

When Company B of the 1st Iowa National Guard was organized here Capt Kelly was chosen as the 1st commander, a position he held until he left the county.

Capt Kelly left Tipton to engage in a livestock commission business in Omaha and was making friends and prospering when he was ruined financially by the dishonesty of a business associate. Later he moved to Pierce, Nebraska where he engaged in stock buying and shipping which he continued until age and failing health compelled him to give up active work. He is survived by his wife and one son, Harry L Kelly of Newton, Iowa where the funeral was held last week. Buried in the Newton Union Cemetery.