My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Clay County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

G. W. Kelley, of Corning, Ark., is now serving his second term as justice of the peace of Kilgore Township, and no man has ever held the position who was better fitted to discharge the duties connected with it than he. He was born in St. Louis County, Mo., in 1813, being the eldest of six children born to the marriage of William Kelley and Nancy Lancaster, who were Virginians, and early emigrants to Missouri, where they opened and improved a farm. In 1837 William Kelley removed to West Tennessee, where his death occurred in 1843, and his wife’s in 1858. G. W. Kelley assisted on the home farm until twelve years of age, and was then apprenticed to the machinist’s trade, which occupation received his attention for a number of years. While a resident of Tennessee he was married, in 1856, to Miss S. E. Andrews, a native of West Tennessee, and a daughter of Edmond and Lanina Andrews, who were born in the “Old North State,” and there lived, afterward moving to Tennessee, where they died. They were engaged in tilling the soil. After his marriage Mr. Kelley settled in Tennessee, and in 1846 enlisted from Adairsburg, of that State, in Company E, Second Tennessee, under Gen. Taylor, and was in the battles of Cerro Gordo, Monterey, Cherubusco, City of Mexico, and other engagements. After the war he returned to Tennessee, and in 1867 moved to Hickman, Fulton County, Ky., where he worked at his trade, moving from there, in 1874, to Clay County, Ark., where he purchased and began improving a farm in Bradshaw Township. In 1884 he moved to Corning, and although he still owns his farm, is living retired from the active duties of life. In 1885 he was elected, on the Democratic ticket, of which party he is a member, to the office of justice of the peace, which position he is now filling. He has aided very materially in building up Corning and vicinity, and has given liberally of his means in supporting worthy enterprises. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and the names of their children are as follows: Edward A., who is married and resides at Tiptonville, Tenn.; A. M., Julia (Mrs. Gills), residing at Buffington, Mo.; Ula, Willie, Anton and Kirby. During his term of service Mr. Kelley has come in contact with many criminals, and has dealt with them in a manner highly satisfactory to lovers of good law.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 124 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Clay County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Clay County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Clay County, Arkansas family biographies here: Clay County, Arkansas Biographies

View a map of 1889 Clay County, Arkansas here: Clay County, Arkansas Map

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.