Montezuma County CO Archives Biographies.....Kelley, John November 25, 1833 - ?
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Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net February 23, 2006, 9:58 am

Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado

     Although born almost under the shadow of the great institution founded by

Jefferson for the liberal education of young men, the University of Virginia,

John Kelley, of Cortez, did not have the benefit of its bounty or other means of

an extended education.  He had before him a destiny of soil and privation, and

his education was practical rather than technical, and was gained in the

exacting school of experience more than at any institutions of learning.  He

came into the world at Charlottesville, Virginia, on November 25, 1833, the son

of Williamson and Eliza Kelley, natives of the old Dominion, who moved to

Missouri while he was yet a child.  He grew to manhood on the paternal homestead

in the new state, and there amid all the ungenerous conditions of frontier life

learned useful lessons of industry and frugality which have been of great

service to him in his subsequent career.  At the age of twenty he set out to

make his own way in the world, crossing the plains to California where he

engaged in mining and raising stock.  From there he went to Mexico to follow the

same lines of industry and some years later, in 1871, came to this state,

locating at Denver.  Soon afterward he made a trip East, and in 1872 returned to

Denver.  Since then he has been continuously a resident of Colorado.  For a

short time he lived at Pueblo, then went to Del Norte and to Lost Trail,

prospecting and mining along the way.  He remained in those regions until 1884,

when he moved into the Montezuma valley and located the land on which he now

lives.  He also has an extensive tract of state land under lease, and carries on

a large and profitable stock business.  He has prospered in most of his

undertakings, and has converted his savings into real estate, owning a business

block and other property of value at Cortez in addition to his ranch.  Although

a bachelor, and having the future interests of no family to look out for, he is

deeply interested in the enduring welfare of his county and state, and aids in

its promotion by every proper means.  He is a member of Sitting Bull Tribe of

Red Men at Durango, and belongs to the Pioneer Association at San Juan.  He

served the country two years as deputy sheriff and two years as constable.  

Additional Comments:
From Progressive Men of Western Colorado.  Chicago:  A.W. Bowen & Co., 1905



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