Washington Co., AR - Biographies - Thomas J. Kelly *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: The Goodspeed Publishing Co Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenwebarchives.org *********************************************** Thomas J. Kelly, one of the old and much respected citizens of Prairie Township, was born in Ray County, Tenn., May 5, 1816, and is the son of Thomas and Nancy (Peters) Kelly. The father was born in Virginia, and when young went to Grainger County, Tenn., where he married Miss Peters, a native of Virginia. In a canoe they floated down the Tennessee River to a place near Washington, Ray Co., Tenn., where he established Kelly's ferry, across the Tennessee, and ran this until his death, The mother then came west with her children, and died in Texas. The father was a Democrat in politics, and for about twenty seven years represented Ray County in the State Legislature. The mother was a member of the Methodist Church. Thomas J. Kelly was the youngest of six children, three sons and three daughters, born to his parents. He grew up to farm life and received a limited education in the common schools. Having served twelve months in the Florida War, he was appointed subsisting agent at Gunter's Landing, where the Indians were being collected preparatory to their removal westward. With them he came to Benton County, Ark., where he bought a large tract of land. In 1844 he married Miss Margaret D. Dixon, a native of Middle Tennessee. To them were born two children: William T. and Margaret. During the Mexican War Mr. Kelly served as wagon-master for Col. Yell's regiment, and during his absence from home his wife died and he was reported dead. So firm was the belief of his death that when he put in appearance all his property had been divided. In 1848 he married Miss Elizabeth Rieff. who was born in Wilson County, Tenn., and who, by her marriage, became the mother of three children: Josephine (deceased), Madline and John H., who has served eight years as minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Six years of that time were spent in teaching and in his ministerial duties in the Cherokee Nation. In 1848 Mr. Kelly came to this county and settled where he now lives. He served as sergeant-at-arms of the House of Representatives two terms, 1874 and 1875. He is a Democrat politically, and he and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, as was also Mr. Kelly's first wife.