My Genealogy Hound

John S. Kelly, a merchant and planter of Murfreesboro, is a native of Pike County, born January 8, 1849. His grandfather, Elijah Kelly, was engaged in farming and preaching the word of God for sixty years. He emigrated from Tennessee to Illinois, and in 1815 moved to Arkansas, locating in Pike, where he resumed farming. He was among the first men who represented this county in the State Legislature. He served as county judge for a number of years, and died in 1884. Both he and wife were members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Kelly organized the first church (Christian) in Pike County. His son, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Pike County, in 1827, and married Miss Priscilla Dickson, in 1847. To this union there were born nine children—six boys and three girls. He was a planter by occupation, in which vocation he continued until his death, in 1883; his wife is still residing on the old home place. Mr. Kelly, Sr., was a member of the Masonic fraternity, Pike Lodge No. 91. Both he and wife were earnest members of the Christian Church. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Pike County, where he attended the private schools, and at the age of twenty-eight started in life as a planter. In 1885 he commenced merchandising with a capital of $600, and now has a capital of $5,000 invested. In 1878 he married Miss Amanda Davis, a native of Tennessee. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kelly are worthy members of the Christian Church, and take a deep interest in religious matters.