BIOGRAPHY: John P. KELLEY, Walnut, Beale Twp, Juniata Co., PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Mike Williamson Transcribed by Patty Frank Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/juniata/ _____________________________________________________________________ The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume II, Page 826. _____________________________________________________________________ JOHN P. KELLEY, Walnut, Beale township, Juniata county, Pa., was born at Waterloo, Juniata county, Pa., October 14, 1819. His father, William C. Kelley, son of John Kelley, attended school in Mifflin county, and was reared a farmer. When a young man he opened a general store at Waterloo which he conducted for several years, and later took charge of one half of the homestead farm of 150 acres, which he occupied until his death in 1828. He married Sarah, daughter of John Patterson, of Beale township. Their children are: John P.; James, a physician, of Patterson, Pa.; Isabella (Mrs. Nevin Pomeroy), Chambersburg, Pa.; Rebecca (Mrs. John M. Pomeroy), Chambersburg, Pa.; and two children who died in infancy. Mr. Kelley was Presbyterian and an old line Whig. His wife died at Academia, Pa., in 1835. John P. Kelley attended subscription schools and the Tuscarora Academy. After the death of this father he worked on the farm, and was later a clerk in the store of his uncle, John Patterson, at Academia, Pa., until 1850. He then purchased and improved the McAllister farm of 234 acres, and was for the remainder of his life engaged in general farming and raising live stock. Mr. Kelly was married in Mifflintown, Pa., to Elizabeth Fry, a native of Delaware township. Their children are: William C.; John P.; Edward D.; Preston, a silver miner of Colorado; Emma; James, died young; and one that died in infancy unnamed. Mr. Kelley votes the Democratic ticket. He was an overseer of the poor, and had served as tax collector, and in other minor offices. He is a member of St. Paulis Lutheran church, has been deacon and elder, and was the first superintendent of the Sunday-school.