James Stewart KELLEY (November 26, 1811 - June 3, 1868) GENETIC PARENTS Father: Alexander KELLY/KELLEY (May 20, 1760 - July 29, 1850) Mother: Catherine CAMPBELL (October 25, 1783 - August 9, 1844)

NOTES

James Stewart Kelley, son of Alexander and Catherine was born at McConnellsville or East Huntington, Westmoreland County, Pa. on 26 November 1811.

The historical statement is that "Fayette County formerly part of Westmoreland County was formed in 1783" and "Connellsvile" (not Mc) was "laid out 1790 and incorporated in 1806 and was taken from Bullskin Township in 1822" - the vicinity is mentioned as "a mineral district of iron and bituminous coal." East Huntington is now Bullskin.

James Stewart Kelley was married 15 October 1840 by Rev. Mr. Morton in East Union Township (near Wooster), Wayne County, Ohio to Anna Elizabeth VanStavoren.* Anna was the daughter of Cornelius Jr. and Mary Refsneider and she was born in Philadelphia on 6 March 1817.

They resided in Massillon, Ohio, where they became prominent in business, church and social circles and were highly respected everywhere. Their home in Massillon was an attractive one on extensive grounds and was doubly valued from the fact that this home which was afterwards purchased and held in possession for many years was their first home.

* Originally VanStavren - the o was added about 1805.

(Source: Family Records - Eglis History of Penn. pp. 724-726, 729)

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In an article in the MASSILLON INDEPENDENT, dated about July, 1868, the following appears:

Death of John Tennis, Sr. - The death of John Tennis, Sr., for some years prominently connected with the hardware trade of this city, demands more than the usual notice. Mr. T was born in Anville, Lebanon County, Pa., Oct. 13, 1808. He came west in 1835 and settled in Massillon, becoming a clerk in the hardware house of McCulloch & Johnston. In 1837, with James Kelley, he bought out this firm, and continued the business till 1847, when he bought out Kelly, and had the business alone until 1852.

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In the same issue of the MASSILLON INDEPENDENT, dated about July, 1868, the following appears:

The Late Judge Kelley

There are but few persons in this, or in any other community, whose death would occasion such profound sorrow and regret, as did that of the lamented Judge Kelley. Scarcely a day passes that I do not , again and again, hear persons refer to his death, with emotions of sorrow. Only a few days ago I heard a gentleman remark that he never knew how much he loved the Judge until he heard of his death, and then the fountain of his feeling was broken up, as it had not been for long years before.

It is not now my purpose to write an obituary notice of Judge Kelley, yet the high estimation in which I held him, luduces me to pay this tribute, however imperfect, to his worth and memory, and to give expression to the feelings of sorrow and regret which I know the people of this community, of all classes and conditions, sects and denominations entertain in regard to his death, feelings intensified by the suddenness of his removal. Indeed, if death had met him in the railroad car, or greeted him from the summer cloud, it would not have produced a more profound sensation than did the news of his short, fearful struggle with the king of terrors, in his own chamber, watched over by a devoted wife and affectionate children, and by his physicians and immediate neighbors, with intense, earnest, loving, sorrowing solicitude.

Nor is it strange that the people should sarrow at so great a loss, for Judge Kelley was identified with all the laudable enterprises and interests of the community in which he lived, having been a citizen of Massillon from its earlist infancy, growing with its growth and strengthening with its strength. A more genial and social man I have never known. Meet Judge Kelley when you would you always found with him a sunshiny face, and a cheerful spirit, and no one ever met the judge, either at home or aboard, who did not feel the better for having a grasp of his friendly hand, and for having spent with him a pleasant moment, and no one ever went away from such an interview with other than kind words and pleasant memories.

Judge Kelley's life was not distinguished by great deeds, yet it abounded with daily unostentations and quiet virtues, and it was thus, by the uniform kindness of his manner and the liberality of his opinions and his charities, that he won the friendship of every one, and became so great a favorite with the party and those in the humbler walks of life.

In religious faith, Judge Kelley was an Episcopalian, and his profession was beautifully exemplified in his daily walk and conversation. No feeling of sectarian bigotry influenced him, his Christian charity was broad enough to embrace all Christians of all denominations. Yet as a member of the Episcopal church he was extremely loyal and loved his own communion best of all. He was indeed proud of his church, proud of its pure doctrine, its beautiful ritual, its earnest worship, and its ancient history.

A most touching and beautiful tribute was paid to the worth and memory of Judge Kelley, by the citizens of Massillon, on the day of his funeral. On that day though not the day of rest, our busy little city was overshadowed with gloom and grief occasioned by the great loss it had sustained; the wheels of commerce stood still, the hum of business was hushed, and his precious remains were borne to their last, quiet resting place, and were followed by an immense concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends, and there we leave them, assured that nothing but pleasant memories shall ever be associated with the sleeping dust of the lamented Judge Kelley.

A Neighbor.

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In that same issue of the MASSILLON INDEPENDENT, dated about July, 1868, the following appears:

Vestry Room, St. Timothy's Church, Massillon, June 17, 1868.
At a meeting of the vestry of this church convened this day on the occasion of the decease of the late James S. Kelley, Esq. - one of their number - the following proceedings were had.

On motion, the rector of the parish and Kent Jarvis were appointed a committee to prepare resolutions expressive of the sense of the vestry upon this sad occasion, who reported the following which were adopted.

Whereas, In the mysterious providence of God it has pleased Him to remove by death, our friend and brother, James S. Kelley - for many years active an active, earnest worker with us - ever zealous in the building up of the church, and rejoicing in its prosperity, Therefore

Resolved, That the church has sustained in his death a loss which will be long and most keenly felt.

Resolved, That we, his associate vestrymen, while we bow in humble submission to His will "Who doeth all things well," feel that our loss is very grevious, and that the ready hand and cordial sympathy and support which have been so long and freely bestowed by our deceased companion, in our work and councils will be ever affectionately remembered.

Resolved, That to the bereaved family of our departed brother we tender our warmest sympathy and our prayers, that the widows God and the Father of the fatherless will sustain and comfort them in this their sore action.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family of the deceased, and that same be published in the several papers of this county and in the Western Episcopalian.

G W Timlow, Rector

Wardens:
Kent Jarvis,
T McCullough

Vestry:
T H Williams,
G P Reed,
Jac G Bucher,
Fred Focke,
Thos S Webb,
H K Dickey,
J G Warwick

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