My Genealogy Hound

John F. Kelly, merchant of California, Mo., was born in St. Louis County, sixteen miles west of the city of St. Louis, on the 23d of November, 1838, and since about one year old has been a resident of Moniteau County. He received his education in the primitive log school-house of early days, and was reared to a mercantile life. When the war broke out he enlisted in Capt. Harvey Sammons’ company at Camp Neosho, Mo., but was taken sick at Pineville and came home. Here he was captured, but was soon paroled. He then removed on and opened a large farm on a tract of land well known in Moniteau and adjoining counties as Bear Rough, and remained a farmer until January, 1879; then came to California, Mo., and took charge of the Grange store, but soon after sold out and engaged in general merchandising, in partnership with W. J. Fulks, the firm name being Fulks, Kelly & Co., for four years, and was then changed to J. F. Kelly & Co., and so continues. Mr. Kelly and family are members of the Christian Church, and he is a member of A. O. U. W. January 1, 1863, he was married to Permelia J. Taylor, a daughter of Joseph D. Taylor, of Miller County, Mo., by whom he has a family of six children: Dine, wife of Dr. M. Pirkey; Joseph H., David A., Robert Q., Myra and Zue. Mr. Kelly is one of six children born to Henry W. Kelly and Susan (Latham) Kelly, who were Virginians, and immigrated to Missouri in 1834; they resided in St. Louis County until 1839, then removed to Moniteau County, where he entered land and opened a store, carrying on a general mercantile business until 1845, when they moved to High Point and built the first store and residence in that place. Here the father also established a post office, and was postmaster until his death, which occurred in 1852, his place being filled by Judge F. A. Latham until 1857. J. F. Kelly then was appointed postmaster, and filled the place until removed by Abraham Lincoln in 1861. The mother died January 22, 1889.