John Kelly

    John Kelly, who owns about four hundred acres of excellent land within the borders of Turman Township, and now resides in the thriving town of Merom, is an example of what a boy left fatherless at a very tender age may accomplish in this free republic, where every man is the builder of his own financial success. Mr. Kelly was born September 10, 1858, in Turman Township, a son of James and Malinda (Johnson) Kelly. The mother was born near Carlisle. For a history of the father the reader is referred to the sketch of James Kelly, found at another place in this work. John Kelly was reared upon the farm and had a very limited common school education. He was left fatherless when a mere boy, and remained at home until twenty-five years of age. He then went out into the untried world for himself, unaided by none other than his own inert energy and pluck. Previous to his marriage he had bought a piece of land, and to this he has added until his present place consists of three hundred and ninety-four acres in Turman Township and about six acres within Meron. In August, 1906, he moved to Merom to give his children a better opportunity to gain an education at the Union Christian College. He still superintends his farming operations. Politically he is a Democrat. He is a stockholder in the Citizens Trust company at Sullivan. He was united in marriage, February 10, 1887, to Nancy J. Dickerson, born in Fairbanks Township, October 8, 1864, a daughter of A. W. C. and Lucy (Park) Dickerson. The father was born in Orange County, Indiana, in 1835, and later in the forties he came to Sullivan County, Indiana. His parents both died when he was young. A. W. C. Dickerson located first at Sullivan and worked in a saw mill for several years, up to 1860, when he bought a farm in Fairbanks Township where he has resided since. Lucy Park was born near Sullivan, and died when her daughter, Mrs. Kelly was but a child. After her death the father married Mary Lawson about 1878. She is still living. The following children were born to A. W. C. Dickerson and his first wife:

    By his second marriage five children were born:

    Mr. and Mrs. Kelly are the parents of three children:

    Mr. Kelly and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was for a number of years a steward.

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 234.