Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Kelly, Joseph A ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 2, 2008, 3:16 am Author: Past & Present Will County, 1907 JOSEPH A. KELLY. The county of Tyrone, Ireland, has contributed some eminent citizens to the American commonwealth, including A. T. Stewart, New York's merchant prince; Eugene Kelly, a banker, who established an institution facilitating honest and legitimate trade transactions from the Empire state to California; General James Shield, the patriot and soldier senator from two states of the Union. Edward Kelly, a brother of Eugene Kelly, the New York banker, although he did not attain such national prominence, was, however, liberally endowed by nature with superior talents and his sons were equally blessed with those qualities which win success in whatever line of activity they may put forth their efforts. These sons are the Hon. Thomas J. Kelly, four times mayor of Joliet; and Joseph A. Kelly, the subject of this review, now retired from active business in the enjoyment of the reward of his years of unfaltering industry. Joseph A. Kelly was born in Trellick, County Tyrone, Ireland, and in childhood was brought to America by his parents, Edward and Rose (Curran) Kelly, with whom he took up his abode in Jackson township, Will county, Illinois. After studying for a time in a local school his education was continued in Notre Dame University, where he remained as a student for six years, being graduated in 1863. He then embarked in the dry-goods business and for some years was in partnership with Dan Hendricks. Later, however, he bought an interest in a business owned by his brother and the enterprise was then conducted under the firm name of Kelly Brothers, their store being located on Jefferson street. They received a liberal partronage and the business prospered, Joseph A. Kelly continuing actively in its management until 1878, when he sold out to his brother and returned to the old homestead. He then gave his attention to general farming and the stock business. In the year of 1888, John A. Kelly removed to Harper county, Kansas, where he purchased a ranch six miles from Corwin, placing four thousand acres under fence. This land is admirably adapted for stock-raising and over one thousand head of cattle are cared for on the ranch and are marketed in Kansas City. Over six hundred acres are planted in corn and other crops to provide winter feed. The buildings are especially adapted for the several purposes to which they are used and in fact the ranch is a model property of its kind, every equipment and facility being provided for the successful conduct of the business. Mr. Kelly also owns another ranch of four thousand acres one mile north of Corwin, lying along the Little Sandy and this is also well stocked with cattle. The "EL" ranches, as they are called, are the largest in Harper county. In addition to these he owns three-quarters of a section across the line in Oklahoma. In 1899 Mr. Kelly retired from active business and now makes his home at No. 111 South Center street in Joliet, where he is enjoying a well merited rest. In early life Mr. Kelly was an active member of the Joliet fire department and for twenty-seven years he has been associated with the Joliet Sharpshooters' Association. At state and national tournaments he has frequently received the first prize and at the first United States Sharpshooters' match in Jones Woods, New York, he won one of the of the first prizes, while at the Centennial in Philadelphia in 1876 he received a medal, he is still an honored member of the association. Mr. Kelly's marriage with Miss Maria Elizabeth Hendricks, of Rockford, Illinois, was a most happy and fortunate event in his life. She was one of a family of seven children, the eldest of whom, Miles Hendricks, was killed by the Indians when crossing the plains to California in 1849. Her brother, D. P. Hendricks, ex-city attorney of Joliet, is now engaged in the practice of law in Chicago. Thomas A. Hendricks, formerly a druggist and hospital steward of Company D, Nineteenth Illinois Infantry, during the Civil war, is now a farmer in Oklahoma. J. C. Hendricks, who was a legal practitioner of Chicago, died in that city in 1906. B. L. Hendricks, also a resident of Chicago, died the same year. Mrs. Margaret Nugent, her only sister died on the 15th of February. 1907. Mrs. Maria E. Kelly completes the family. Her father, Thomas Hendricks, was a contractor and builder who came from New York state to Illinois in 1843. Her mother, Mrs. Margaret Hendricks, was a daughter of Daniel Quigley and was born in Athlone, Ireland, in December, 1817, crossing the Atlantic in 1834, after which she became the wife of Mr. Hendricks in Syracuse, New York. Their children were reared in Joliet, save that the family spent five years in Rockford, where they were living at the time of Mrs. Kelly's birth. Mrs. Hendricks was greatly admired during her long life for her many estimable qualities, and she enjoyed excellent health up to within a few months prior to her death, which occurred early in 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have become the parents of six children: Eugene and Edward have charge of the Kansas ranches and are extensively engaged in the cattle business there. Marie and Catherine are at home. Leo, a graduate of Notre Dame University, is now a qualified physician and surgeon, who at the present time is interne in the the city hospital on Blackwell's Island, New York. This position is one of incalculable value to the ambitious young man, for in this connection he is brought in contract with the most eminent physicians and surgeons of the world in the treatment of very complicated cases, as well as in difficult operations and in important experiments. The youngest member of the Kelly family is Margaret, now the wife of Dr. Charles Romaine Curtiss, of Joliet. The Kelly home is situated on South Center street and is a beautiful residence in the midst of one of the finest districts of the city. The home is noted for its warm-hearted and gracious hospitality, their many friends receiving there a cordial welcome. Mr. Kelly has long figured as one of the most prominent residents of Joliet, being honored not alone for the splendid success he has achieved but also for the straightforward and honorable business methods that he has ever followed. Additional Comments: PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/kelly2455nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 7.0 Kb