Imperial County CA Archives Biographies.....Kelly, William 1846 - 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 18, 2006, 7:25 pm

Author: F. C. Farr (editor, 1918)

WILLIAM KELLY.—One of the representative business men of El Centro and one who
is known as honorable and has the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen, is
William Kelly, engaged in the seed and nursery business at 630 Main Street, El
Centro, since 1903. He can be termed a pioneer in Imperial County. His birth
occurred at Kingston, Canada, August 17, 1846, a son of William and Sarah
(Smith) Kelly. His father passed away in Kingston, Canada, some years ago, and
his body lies in the pretty cemetery in Kingston, while his wife was buried near
Friendship, Wisconsin. Mr. Kelly acquired a limited education in New York state
and at the age of sixteen he sailed before the mast on the Great Lakes. He rose
to second mate in eighteen months, and in the following year he enlisted in the
United States Army and for eighteen months he fought in the Civil war. Receiving
an honorable discharge, he took up salesmanship and traveled, and since 1874 he
has continuously been identified with the nursery business, characterized by the
same energetic vigor and business foresight that distinguished his forefathers.
William Kelly came into Imperial Valley on horseback when only a few settlers
were located here. Under adverse conditions he started the nursery business, and
he has the honor of being the oldest nurseryman in Imperial County. Owing to his
long activity in and knowledge of this business, he has succeeded while others
failed. Fraternally Mr. Kelly is a Mason, being a member of F. & A. M. in El
Centre He married Miss Ada M. English March 31, 1880, a daughter of Commodore A.
and Elizabeth English. Both of her parents are buried in Santa Cruz. To this
union has been born one son, now deceased. Their adopted daughter, Elizabeth, is
now teaching at Orange, California. The family resides at 651 Park Avenue.

Additional Comments:
From:

THE HISTORY
OF
IMPERIAL COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
EDITED BY
F. C. FARR

IN ONE VOLUME
ILLUSTRATED
Published by ELMS AND FRANKS
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA 1918

Printed by Taylor & Taylor, San Francisco

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/imperial/bios/kelly533bs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/cafiles/

File size: 2.6 Kb