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| Peter Kelley, farmer and saloonkeeper, Big Rapids, was born in Somerville, Ala., Feb. 18, 1844, and is a son of Patrick Kelley, born in Ireland, Feb. 1, 1814, and Mary (Egan) Kelley, born in Ireland in 1818, and died at Big Rapids, Nov. 13, 1880. The parents came to the north and settled in Livingston Co., Mich., in 1847. They bought 120 acres of land in Hartland Tp., and there resided until 1872, when the place was sold, and they moved to Milford, Oakland Co., Mich. The senior Kelley bought a hotel, managed it a year and went to Highland, in the same county, where he owned and kept the “Highland Center House,” together with 40 acres of land. In 1879 the family came to Big Rapids, where he speculated in real estate until his death, June 8, 1883. Mr. Kelley in this sketch came to Big Rapids in the fall of 1869, and was employed some time as a lumberman, afterwards operating as a contractor and foreman on the river in the woods. He was for a considerable period in charge of the lumberyard of T. D. Stimson, in the city of Big Rapids. In 1871 Mr. Kelley bought a house and lot on Mation avenue which he exchanged in 1873 for 80 acres of land in Green Tp., where he resided a year. He sold out, came to Big Rapids, and embarked in the liquor business on North State Street. In 1879 he went to Evart, Osceola Co., and managed the Ervin House about 18 months, when he came back to Big Rapids. In February 1882, he opened his present business, and is carrying it on with marked success. In August 1880, he bought 80 acres of land on sec. 9, Big Rapids Tp., under good improvements, where he is engaged as a farmer. He also owns a residence and four city lots, besides a business building and lot 40x150 feet, on the corner of Hemlock Street and Michigan Avenue. Mr. Kelley was married at Grand Rapids, Oct. 17, 1872, to Mary, daughter of William and Mary Rafferty, born in Livingston Co., Mich., Feb.23, 1847. They have six children: William, Charles, Frank, Nellie, George, and Kittie. The family belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. |