|
|
|
 |
Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 193 - 194 |
|
WILLIAM KELLEY
|
Among the leading business men of Cadillac in days gone by none took a more active interest in the material development of the town or contributed in a greater degree to its general prosperity than the late William Kelley, a brief outline of whose career is herewith presented. Mr. Kelley was a native of Ireland, born in the month of January, 1845. When about seven years old he was brought to the United States by his father, who settled in New York, and there died shortly after his arrival, leaving his orphan son, poor and friendless, to make his own way in the world. Young William turned his hand to any honorable employment he could find and, being endowed with an independent spirit and tireless energy, he experienced little difficulty in earning a comfortable livelihood. At the breaking out of the great Rebellion he was one of the first young men in his county to tender his services to the government, enlisting early in 1861, and not long after entering the army it fell to him to take part in the bloody and disastrous battle of Bull Run. While in the thickest of the fray he fell into the hands of the enemy and was held a prisoner for eleven months, being first taken to Libby prison, Richmond, and later to Salisbury, North Carolina, where he was afterwards exchanged. Rejoining his command as soon as possible, he served to the end of the war and earned an honorable record as a soldier, participating in a number of noted campaigns and bloody battles and proving in most trying and dangerous conditions a true soldier and high-minded patriot. On quitting the service at the cessation of hostilities Mr. Kelley returned to New York, but soon afterwards came to Michigan and settled at Greenville, where he was engaged in business until his removal, a little later, to the town of Lakeview. Meantime, on August 2, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Van Ness, of Greenville, daughter of George and Sarah (Hawley) Van Ness, early settlers and leading residents of that city. After remaining at Lake View until August, 1872, Mr. Kelley disposed of his interests there and removing to Clam Lake embarked in the lumber business, which he carried on quite extensively for several years, the meantime becoming actively identified with the material prosperity of the community. He made money and spent it judiciously for the improvement of the town, invested in real estate and erecting buildings, besides taking a leading part in public affairs. He was for several years a member of the local educational board, also served in the city council and in these and other official capacities was untiring in his efforts to promote the welfare of the people and advertise the advantages of Clam Lake to the outside world. In politics he was an unyielding Republican and his influence in the councils of the party made him one of its trusted and aggressive leaders in Wexford county. While a zealous politician he was naturally and wisely reluctant to leave the career he had marked out for himself for the more uncertain and less satisfactory arena of official life, hence he had no aspirations or ambitions in that direction. Mr. Kelley stood high in the esteem of the public and as a neighbor and citizen always wielded a forceful influence for the welfare of the community and made his presence felt for good in all of his relations with his fellow men. As a patron of the Presbyterian church he lived an earnest, Godfearing life and dignified his religious professions by his works of faith and labors of love. At the time of his death lie was trustee of the Cadillac Presbyterian church, the growth and prosperity of which materially and spiritually were largely due to his unfailing interests and liberal financial support. His was indeed a full and useful life, fraught with great good to his friends and to the world, and his death, which occurred in Cadillac on the 26th day of December, 1879, after a brief illness, removed from the city one of its prominent and praiseworthy citizens and leading men of affairs. Mr. Kelley was the father of three children, the oldest of whom, a daughter by the name of Edith M., is now the wife of H. T. Morgan; Edwin V., the second, is a worthy citizen of Cadillac and the youngest of the family, Helen A. married F. W. Green, inspector general of Michigan. |