My Genealogy Hound

Luke Kelly, treasurer of Newton County, Mo., was born in Morgan County, Va., March 16, 1844, and is a son of James and Margaret (Murray) Kelly, who were born in the Emerald Isle, and came to the United States about 1837. They were the parents of five children, Luke being the fourth in the family. He was reared principally in Providence, R. I., his parents having removed to this place when he was only three years of age. Until 1861 his time was principally occupied in attending school, but at the breaking out of the war he was among the first to enlist to defend the flag of his native land, joining the Second Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry, and participating in nearly all the engagements of the army of the Potomac, from the first battle of Bull Run to the battle of the Wilderness. In the latter engagement he lost an arm. He was mustered out in October, 1864, and returned to Rhode Island, where he remained until 1868; then removed to Wisconsin, where he farmed until 1877, and then came to Newton County, Mo., and resumed agricultural pursuits. In 1880 he was census enumerator of Benton Township, and also assisted in assessing the county. Mr. Kelly was elected county treasurer in 1884, and was re-elected two years later. Miss Anna Rooney, a native of Ohio, became his wife in 1875, and she is the mother of five children living: James V., Bernard R., Joseph P., John F. and Luke and two sons are deceased.