BIO: Michael David KELLEY, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  MICHAEL DAVID KELLEY.  While "the race is not always to the swift nor 
the battle to the strong," the invariable law of destiny accords to 
tireless energy, industry and ability a successful career.  The truth 
of this assertion is abundantly verified in the life of Mr. Kelley, who 
is one of the most energetic and progressive business men of Centre 
county.  He is an extensive mine owner in the vicinity of Snow Shoe, 
where he makes his home, and is a member of several different mining 
companies.
  Mr. Kelley was born May 20, 1861, in the village where he still 
resides, and is a son of Patrick Kelley, a native of Ireland, in which 
country his mother died.  In 1842 Patrick accompanied his father, 
Michael Kelley, to the United States, as did also his brother and 
sister, Thomas and Mary.  They are all now deceased, Thomas being 
killed while a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war.  The 
father of our subject was fifteen years of age when he crossed the 
Atlantic and located in Centre county, where he first worked in the 
iron mills.  Later he removed to Snow Shoe township, where he found 
employment in the woods, subsequently engaged in mining for ten years, 
and during the remainder of his life followed agricultural pursuits.  
His death occurred May 30, 1889.
  In Centre county Patrick Kelley was married to Sarah Flack, who was 
born in Howard township, that county, a daughter of Thomas and 
Catherine Flack, and is now residing in Williamsport, Lycoming Co., 
Penn.  By her marriage she became the mother of the following children: 
Harry P., an extensive coal operator of Snow Shoe; John, who was killed 
while unloading a car in 1880; Mary, wife of William Casher, who is 
operating the old homestead farm in Snow Shoe township; Michael D.; 
Annie, widow of James Tobin, and a resident of New York; Sadie, wife of 
James McGilley, a chemist for Sweet & Co., of Williamsport, Penn.; and 
Catherine and Millie, who are with their mother in Williamsport.
  Mr. Kelley, of this review, began attending school as soon as he had 
reached a sufficient age, and when thirteen years old entered the 
mines, where he worked throughout the year with the exception of the 
winter months, which he spent in school until he was eighteen.  He then 
devoted his entire time and attention to mining until he had attained 
his majority, when he returned home and assisted in the labors of the 
farm for two years.  Since that time he has been extensively interested 
in mining.
  On June 11, 1888, Mr. Kelley and his brother, Harry P., formed a 
partnership with James Tobin, and leased a mine known as the Snow Shoe

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  265

Colliery, No. 1, which they continued to operate until July 31, 1889, 
when the brothers purchased Mr. Tobin's interest, and the firm became 
Kelley Brothers.  They operated the mines Nos. 1 and 2, until November 
1, 1891, when they bought the interest of Charles Watson in the Tacoma 
colliery mine, known as the Watson & Morgan mine, and the name of the 
firm was changed to Kelley Bros. & Morgan.  They are the owners of a 
tract of 160 acres of excellent coal land which they operate, while the 
firm of Kelley Bros. have 200 acres.  The Snow Shoe Mining Co., of 
which our subject is president, has a valuable tract of 433 acres three 
miles northwest of the village of Snow Shoe, in Snow Shoe township.  
The other stockholders, besides our subject, are H. P. Kelley, T. B. 
Budinger and W. F. Holt.
  Mr. Kelley was married in Snow Shoe, January 13, 1884, to Miss Sarah 
Haggans, who was born in 1868, a daughter of James Haggans, who died 
there from the effects of exposure while at work in the woods.  Her 
mother now resides at Houtsdale, Clearfield Co., Penn.  There were only 
two children, of whom John died at the age of three years.  To Mr. and 
Mrs. Kelley have been born six children, May, James, Patrick, Edward, 
Leo and Theresa, and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand 
of death.
  Politically, Mr. Kelley is a stanch Democrat, and in religious belief 
is a Catholic.  The record of his life is that of a man who has by his 
own unaided efforts worked his way upward to a position of affluence.  
His life has been one of industry and perseverance, and the systematic 
and honorable business methods which he has followed have won for him 
the support and confidence of many.  Without the aid of influence or 
wealth, he has risen to a position among the prosperous business men of 
the county, and his native genius and acquired ability are the 
stepping-stones on which he has mounted.