William F. Kelly Biography


	This biography appears on pages 909-910 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				WILLIAM F. KELLY.  

	William F. Kelly is a public-spirited citizen of Minnehaha 
county, making his home in Lyons township, where he is now living 
retired. While he has put aside the more active work of the fields, he 
is fond of working in the garden and enjoys seeing things grow about 
him. Born in Quebec, Canada, in July, 1850, he is a son of Lawrence and 
Marcella Kelly, who were of Welsh and Irish extraction. The father was 
a farmer by occupation and on removing from Canada to the United States 
settled first in Dodge county, Wisconsin, and afterward made his home 
in Columbia county, near Madison. Both he and his wife have now passed 
away.  

	William F. Kelly was a pupil in the public schools of Wisconsin 
through the period of his boyhood and after leaving school aided his 
father for two years in the work of the home farm. He was married in 
1874 to Miss Lucy Ann Sisson, a daughter of Frank C. and Z. (Lyman) 
Sisson, both of whom have passed away. Three children were born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Kelly: Louis, who is proprietor of the Dakota Laundry at Sioux 
Falls; Willie F , living on the old home place; and Marcella, deceased. 
The wife and mother passed away in 1892 and her death was deeply 
regretted by the many warm friends whom she had won through the period 
of her residence in Minnehaha county. In 1912 Mr. Kelly was married to 
Mrs. Minnie Clarke, of Brookings, a native of Iowa. By her former 
marriage she has one son, Bruce E. Clarke, who graduated in chemistry 
from the Brookings Agricultural College and who has the degree of B. A, 
from that institution.  

	It was in 1874 that William F. Kelly brought his family to South 
Dakota, where he secured a homestead claim and a timber claim in 
Minnehaha county. With the passing years he developed a splendid 
property and in addition to the old homestead farm he has other 
holdings. His business affairs have been capably managed and his 
investments have been judiciously made. He is now the possessor of 
several business interests in the township of Lyons, is a stockholder 
in the Farmers State Bank at Lyons and in the Farmers Lumber Company. 
He readily recognizes the possibilities of a business situation and his 
judgment and efforts have been potent factors in directing various 
interests to a successful termination.  

	While active in managing business affairs, Mr. Kelly has also 
found time to cooperate in movements for the general good and his 
fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, have several 
times called him to public office. In 1891 he was elected to represent 
his district in the state legislature and received endorsement of his 
service in reelection in 1893, thus becoming a member of the second and 
third general assemblies. During his four years in office he gave most 
careful consideration to the questions which came up for settlement and 
strongly endorsed every movement and measure which he believed would 
prove of public benefit, or as strongly opposed any which he thought 
would work to the detriment of the state. He has held a number of local 
political offices, has several times been a member of the board of 
township supervisors and for tell or twelve years has been school 
treasurer. In politics he has ever been a republican, giving 
unfaltering allegiance to his party and its principles In religious 
belief Mr. Kelly is an Episcopalian and his fraternal connections are 
with the Workmen, the Modern Brotherhood of America and the Benevolent 
Protective Order of Elks. He has recently given his old home to his 
second son and has built for himself a comfortable cottage of five 
rooms, supplied with a lighting plant and running water. He is now 
situated to enjoy life and its comforts as the result of his former 
intelligently directed activity and wise investments. What he has 
accomplished for the county places him among its representative 
citizens and it is well known that his cooperation can be counted upon 
to further any plan or measure looking to the material, intellectual, 
political' social and moral welfare of the community.