Kelly - Michael
Sourc: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, p. 500.
Michael KELLY is one of the proprietors of the Hotel Grinley at Rockville, Parke County. He was born in Stratford, Canada Dec 8, 1846, being the son of Michael, a farmer by occupation, who emigrated from Ireland. The latter was born about the year 1808 and after his emigration to Canada remained there 4 years. He then located in Attica, in 1848, where he engaged as a contractor on the Wabash canal and later removed to Montezuma, where he followed railroad contracting. his next move was to Crawfordsville of this state, where he resided until his death. The subject of this sketch is the youngest in a family of 5, four of whom are still living. He was educated in the public schools of Crawfordsville afterward received a good business education in the Eastman Business College of Chicago. Returning to Indiana, he then located in Crawfordsville where he engaged in various business enterprises and there continued to reside until 1888. Foremost among his undertakings in that city he was running the Sherman House, and for a long time was also interested in a restaurant. For 8 years he was a contractor for building gravel roads and ditches. For the past 5 years he has been a resident of Rockville, and has made a success of his hotel, being the owner of the building. He has a large saloon in the building which he manages. The Hotel Grinley is a first-class two dollar-a-day house, which caters to first-class custom, and does a very large business, principally with travelling men. Our subject was first married in Crawfordsville, Ind to Miss Jennie E. Casey who died in 1871, leaving one child, M.D. now of the firm of MD Kelly & Co., proprietors of the Hotel Grinley. This gentleman is one of the enterprising young business men of Rockville and to his enterprise and business tact is due, in a large measure, the remarkable success of the hotel. In 1875 our subject married Miss Bridget, daughter of William Tobin of Greencastle, Ind. To them have been born 5 children, 3 living: Grace, Hugh and Paul. In 1880 Mr. Kelly made the race for Co. Recorder of Montgomery County, being a candidate on the Republican ticket and was beaten by only one vote. In the war of the Rebellion he enlisted as a private soldier in Co. E, 115th Indiana Infantry and is at present a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He and his entire family are devoted member of the Roman Catholic Church. Mrs. Kelly is a refined and cultivated lady and to her a large share of the success her husband has achieved is justly due as she has encouraged him and given him the benefit of her wise advice and judgement in his undertakings. -- typed by kbz