Kelly, Patrick

KELLY, BARRON

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/22/2006 at 16:19:04

KELLY, PATRICK

Patrick Kelly, a familiar presence in the town of Alvord, where his genial countenance and friendly spirit have made him hosts of well-wishers, which his manly character and genuine worth have long retained, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1856, whither his father, Francis, who was born in Ireland, had come about 1851. There the father married, and when young Patrick Kelly was some two years, removed with his wife and two children, both sons, to Indiana, where they made their home on a farm until 1869. That year they located in Benton county, Iowa, where they continued farming till 1881. In 1885, the entire family, excepting the father, who had passed to the life beyond in 1882, settled in Lyon county, Iowa, making their home on a farm in section 4, Doon township. This was then but a thinly settled community and still retained all its prairie characteristics. Rock Rapids was their nearest trading point, and the road to it was straight across the country without regard to section lines.

The Kelly farm was raw prairie, and the mother and her sons addressed themselves at once to the work of improvement that they might have a desirable home out here on the frontier, as it seemed at that time. They built a home 16 by 22 feet with 12 foot posts, and made other improvements as rapidly as their opportunities permitted.

Patrick Kelly was married in 1884 to Miss Jane Barron. She was born in Freeport, Illinois, and her father was an old settler. He died in the fall of 1903, in Benton county. To this union have come eight children, the oldest of whom was born in Cherokee county, Iowa, all the others being natives of Lyon county; Charles, John, Joe, Clarence, Mary, Agnes, Florence and Lucile. Mr. Kelly now owns for himself 186 acres of land with complete equipment, good out-buildings, and all the machinery needed for the profitable and successful operation of the place. There is a fine grove which was planted in the spring of 1886.

Mr. Kelly is a Democrat in his political views, and is now town trustee. For a term he has served as assessor, and is regarded as one of the leading citizens of the day. When the village of Alvord was started he bought the first lot in the town. Now that it has all passed, it seems somewhat amusing to him that on one occasion in an early day he came very nearly being lost on his own farm, being out in the storm several hours before he succeeded in finding his way back to the house.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson