Charles A. Kelley Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1792-1793 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

	This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit 
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	An engraving and the signature of C. A. Kelley face page 1792.


	CHARLES A. KELLEY, one of the representative members of the-bar of 
Beadle county, being engaged in the practice of his profession in the 
city of Huron, and being also incumbent of the office of state's 
attorney of the county, is to be noted as one of the progressive and 
influential business men of this favored section of the state, being 
president and manager of the Kelley Land Agency, one of the leading 
real-estate concerns of the state. Mr. Kelley is a native of the state 
of Illinois, having been born in Lemont, Cook county, on the 21st of 
November, 1873. He is a son of M. F. and Bridget Kelley. When the 
subject was eleven years old he came with his parents to the present 
site of South Dakota, where he has ever since retained his home, having 
literally grown up with the country and being a representative of one of 
sterling pioneer families of the commonwealth. He received his education 
in the public schools of Huron and the University of Wisconsin. Shortly 
after finishing his law course he located in Huron and initiated the 
active practice of his profession, opening an office here in May, 1900. 
A man of most alert mentality and mature judgment, he forthwith proved 
his mettle as a member of the bar, and his success has been cumulative 
and gratifying, while the professional prestige which he has attained is 
indicated in the official position which he holds. As state's attorney 
he has made an excellent record, being known as a strong trial lawyer 
and as one thoroughly well informed in the minutiae of the science of 
jurisprudence. Mr. Kelley has been progressive and resourceful, and has 
shown much initiative and executive ability, so that he has found it 
expedient to identify himself with much that has to do with the 
development of the resources of his town, county and state. Kelley's 
Land Agency, of which he is president and manager, controls a large and 
important real-estate business, having headquarters in Huron. The most 
desirable investments are at all times represented on the books of the 
agency, in the way of South Dakota farm lands, stock ranches and dairy 
farms, while a specialty is made of high-grade farm mortgages and of the 
exchanging of properties. For the facilitating of the operations of the 
concern offices are maintained in all of the principal cities of the 
state, and the agency controls valuable lands in all sections of the 
commonwealth. Mr. Kelley has proven himself loyal and helpful as a 
citizen, and is one of Huron's most public-spirited men. He is the owner 
and publisher of the Journal-World, the leading paper of Beadle county, 
and in politics he is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies 
of the Republican party, to which he has accorded an unwavering 
allegiance from the time of attaining his legal majority, while he is an 
active factor in the promotion of the interests of the party in a local 
way. As touching his fraternal relations, it may be said that he is 
identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen and the Modern Brotherhood of America, while he is 
held in the highest esteem in both business and social circles, being 
one of the well-known and popular citizens of Beadle county.

	On the 12th of November, 1899, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Kelley 
to Miss Alice C. Issenhuth, who was born in Shellsburg, Iowa, on the 
12th of November, 1881, being a daughter of Martin and Margaret 
Issenhuth, who became pioneers of South Dakota, in which state their six 
sons are prominent business or professional men.

	As a lawyer Mr. Kelley evinces a familiarity with legal principles 
and a ready perception of facts, together with the ability to apply the 
one to the other, which-has won him the reputation of a sound and safe 
practitioner. Conscientious work has not only brought with it increase 
of practice and reputation, but also that growth in legal knowledge and 
that wide and accurate judgment the possession of which constitutes 
marked excellence in the profession. In the trial of cases he is 
uniformly courteous to court and opposing counsel, caring little for 
display, but seeking to impress the jury rather by weight of facts in 
his favor and by clear, logical argument than by appeal to passion or 
prejudice. By a straightforward' honorable course he has built up a 
large and lucrative legal business and his life affords a splendid 
example of what an American youth, plentifully endowed with good common 
sense, energy and determination, may accomplish when directed and 
controlled by earnest principles.