Columbia County OR Archives Biographies.....Kelley, Aaron J. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com May 31, 2010, 11:22 pm Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 387 - 388 Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company AARON J. KELLEY, who conducts a prosperous cigar and refreshment business at Houlton, Oregon, is the scion of old pioneer stock, his forbears having done their full share in reclaiming from the wilderness the fine farms which now characterize this section of the state. Mr. Kelley was born on his grandfather's old donation claim at West St. Helens, Columbia county, Oregon, and is a son of George R. and Mary Adelia (Broyles) Kelley, the former born in Illinois, December 29, 1848, and the latter at West St. Helens, Oregon. George R. Kelley came to the Pacific coast in 1874, going first to San Francisco, California, and thence by boat to Portland. Coming to Columbia county in the following year, he leased the old Broyles donation claim, which he ran for two years, after which he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres at West St. Helens. Here he built a log house, cleared off part of the land and farmed there until his death, on January 26, 1924. On May 2, 1875, he was married to Miss Mary Adelia Broyles, a daughter of Aaron and Susanah (Frantz) Broyles. Mr. Broyles was born in Greene county, Tennessee, May 30, 1818, and was a son of John and Nancy (Newberry) Broyles, both of whom were natives of Tennessee and of Scotch descent. Aaron Broyles moved to Missouri in 1835 and became a famous hunter and trapper, following that business all through the Rocky mountains. In 1845 he crossed the plains, with ox teams and covered wagons, and after his arrival in Oregon was employed by the Hudson Bay Company as a trapper and packer, transporting provisions to the various company posts all over the northwest territory. He took up a donation land claim of six hundred and forty acres at what is now the town of Houlton, or West St. Helens. It was covered with heavy timber and brush and, after building his first house of logs, he slashed and burnt most of the timber from the land. There he engaged in raising hay and grain, and also raised large numbers of cattle and horses. His first crops of wheat were threshed out by horses being driven over the grain spread out on the hard ground, after which the wheat was fanned and separated from the chaff. He was a man of powerful physique, was tireless in his farming operations, was rewarded with a splendid measure of success and commanded the respect of all who knew him. Aaron Broyles was married in Missouri to Miss Nancy Newberry of that state, who died there in childbirth. Mr. Broyles was married at West St. Helens, Oregon, on the 15th of July, 1855, to Mrs. Susanah (Quick) Frantz, usually called Susie, a native of Germany, born December 28, 1811. She was a widow and had six children by her first union, of whom one is living, namely: Mrs. Susie Lamberson, of St. Johns, Oregon. Mrs. Susanah Broyles died June 5, 1889. To her union with Aaron Broyles only one child was born, Mary Adelia, who married George R. Kelley and became the mother of nine children: Aaron J.; George W., who works for his brother Aaron in his store at St. Helens; Benjamin, called Bennie, who died at the age of twelve; Uriah, who is married and lives at St. Helens; Frank R., residing at St. Helens, who married Elsie Cook and who is now a widower with one child, Della Kelley, a school girl; Mrs. Grace L. Watts, who resides in Portland and has two children by her first union, Morris and Merle Renshaw; Sarah Jane, who is now Mrs. Crouse of St. Helens and has one child by a former marriage, Vera Thompson; an infant, unnamed, who died when a week old; and Ernest G., who resides at St. Helens and has one child by his first marriage, named Ruth. Aaron J. Kelley attended the public schools at St. Helens and assisted his father in cutting cordwood and in clearing the home farm, and during his early years also worked in logging camps. Later he engaged in business in West St. Helens for a number of years, and in 1920 built a fine, two-story business block on the Pacific highway, West St. Helens, a part of the first floor of which he utilizes as a cigar and tobacco store and refreshment parlor, while a part is leased for a restaurant and a barber shop. The second floor is used for living quarters and hotel rooms. He is giving close attention to his business and is meeting with a very fair measure of success. On July 4, 1901, Mr. Kelley was united in marriage to Mrs. Minnie Pearl (Hazen) Dunn, who was born in Quincy, Illinois, and is a daughter of Charles and Mary (Decker) Hazen, both of whom are deceased, her father dying at St. Helens, Oregon, and her mother at Florence, Oregon. By her first husband, Mrs. Kelley became the mother of two children: Harry E. Dunn, who was born in Houlton and now lives in Portland, is married and has four children, Harry, Velma, Dorothy and Drusilla; and Nellie, who was born in Houlton, and became the wife of M. L. Wilson, died, leaving a daughter, Anita Lorraine, born June 23, 1918, and now making her home with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Kelley. Mr. Kelley is a member of Avon Lodge, No. 62, K. P., and St. Helens Lodge, No. 117, I. O. O. F., and he and his wife are members of the Neighbors of Woodcraft. Mr. Kelley is a lover of hunting and fishing, traits which he undoubtedly inherited from his grandfather Broyles, for whom he was named. He is a genial and companionable gentleman, enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout this section of the state and has a large circle of warm friends. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/columbia/bios/kelley1123gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 6.1 Kb