James Kelly

    James kelly, who is the owner of a farm of more than five hundned acres of excellent land and a resident of Turman Township, Sullivan County, is a native of Geauga County, Ohio, born March 9, 1838, a son of James and Mary Ann (McFetridge) Kelly. The father was born in county Derry, Ireland, and came to the United States when twenty-six years of age, landing in New York City with but two dollars in his possession. His wife, Mary Ann McFetridge, came about the same time, and they were united in marriage two years later in the city of Philadelphia, coming to Ohio, where they remained until1 840, and thence on to Turman Township, Sullivan County, Indiana. They located on the bluffs overlooking the Wabash River, the wife, who was the subject's mother, dying about one year after their arrival, and the father died in September, 1859. In his political views James Kelly, Sr., was a Democrat. His occupation was that of a farmer, but prior to his coming here and while in Philadelphia he was a dyer of broadcloth goods, while in Ireland he followed the trade of a weaver of "Irish linen." At his death he owned a thousand acres of land. both he and his good wife were grounded in the church faith of the Presbyterian denomination. Their children were:

    James Kelly, our subject was reared to farm life and labor, and attended the district schools of his home township. Remaining until twenty-one years of age he then began farming on his father's farm on the river bottoms. Here he has remained ever since, and has come to be known as one of the most extensive and prosperous agriculturists and stock raisers within the limits of Sullivan County. On his more than five hundred acres of land he carries on both grain and stock raising. he raises thoroughbred Herefords and Short-horn Durham cattle and Poland-China swine, of which he usually sells about three car loads annually. Politically Mr. Kelly is a firm supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. He was one of the original promoters of the building of the levee in his section of the state. This particular section is thirteen miles in length, and cost approximately one hundred thousand dollars.

    In his domestic relations Mr. Kelly, it should be said, was  married in 1865 to Adelia Ann Drake, born in Turman Township, on the Island, in 1844, a daughter of Preston G. and Susan (Bryan) Drake. The father died prior to his daughter's marriage to Mr. Kelly. Preston G. Drake was a native of Virginia, a son of Tarlton and lineal descendant of Sir Francis Drake. Susan Bryan, his wife, was born in Kentucky, a daughter of William Bryan. Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Kelly:

    Mr. and Mrs. James Kelly are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: A History of Sullivan County, Indiana. Closing of the first century’s history of the county and showing the growth of its people, institutions, industries and wealth. Thomas J. Wolfe, Editor. The Lewis Publishing Company, 1909, page 242-243.