Kelley, Hon. J. C. 1842-1886

KELLEY, KELLY

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/12/2010 at 16:57:47

SUDDEN DEATH OF HON. J. C. KELLEY

The people of LeMars were very greatly shocked Sunday morning by the report,
which spread like wild fire, that Hon. J. C. Kelley had died at 5:30 o’clock
that morning. He had been complaining for several days and being subject to
attacks of which his simptoms were the forerunner, Dr. Hackett remained in
the house with him Thursday night and again on Saturday night. At three
o’clock Sunday morning the Dr. woke up and found his patient unconscious and
in an apoplectic condition. Dr. Hines was called and the proper remedies
administered. He became easier for a time and it was thought he would rally
again, but did not, passing quietly away at 5:30 in the morning, instead of
in the evening as reported to the Journal.

He graduated at the Columbia Law school in Chicago, July 4th, ’68, and
practiced law in Clinton and Carroll before locating in LeMars. He was
prominent at the bar and in politics, a man of generous impulses and
personally well liked. He leaves a wife and five children, who have the
sincere sympathy of our people. The funeral took place this morning and was
very largely attended. A number of attorneys from abroad were in attendance
and the members of Mower Post G.A.R. took place in the funeral column. The
editor being absent until this morning had only time at best to get in this
brief mention before press.

ACTION OF THE BAR.
At a meeting of the bar of this city on Monday, Hon. A.H. Lawrence was
called to the chair and A. H. Durley made secretary. It was decided that the
bar attend the funeral of Hon. J. C. Kelley in a body, and on foot if
possible. J. H. Struble and A. W. Durley were appointed a committee to make
the necessary arrangements and to receive the attorneys attending from other
places.

Hon. M.C. Curtis, Ira T. Martin and Col. Amos were appointed to prepare and
present to the next term of district court and to the family of the
deceased, proper resolutions of respect and condolence.

It was decided to meet at 9:30 o’clock Tuesday morning at the office of G.
W. Argo to attend the funeral. The meeting then adjourned.

~Source: The LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, Tuesday, August 17, 1886
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LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
August 20, 1886

At the time of Hon. J. C. Kelley’s death his wife invited the Odd Fellows of
this city to take charge of his remains and the funeral arrangements. This
was done with the kindly interest and care of that order. There was a full
attendance of members at the funeral in regalia and the Chaplain, Rev. Fahs
officiated after the forms and usages of this fellowship in the funeral of
departed brothers. This feature of the last tributes paid the dead by
comrades in charity was most impressive. We should have mentioned in our
last issue the leading part which the Odd Fellows took in the funeral rites
and in the procession but arriving home only an hour before the matter for
the paper closed, we did not learn of the widow’s request and the very
acceptable manner in which the response was made. The funeral was attended
in mass, the procession extending from the residence to the last bivouac of
the soldier whose right arm was a part of the ransom paid for the
restoration of the Union.