Mr. and Mrs. Kelly came with their family to Trego County in 1879. He was a hardware and implement dealer in WaKeeney. He was a highly trusted man and held county offices as well as serving on church boards. He was a ruling elder for over forty years in the Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. James Kelly "Rebecca" was one of the first of the pioneer ladies to locate in WaKeeney, and like all others, she suffered many trials and difficulties, but through it all, she looked forward to better things to come and cheerfully encouraged those about her. She died May 20, 1917, Des Moines, Iowa, while visiting her daughter, Mrs. M. W. McCoy. James Kelly died June 13, 1904, at WaKeeney, and both are buried in the WaKeeney Cemetery.
William B. Kelly married Emma L. Olson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Olson, on December 17, 1885. Samuel Kelly never married. For a number of years Will and Sam operated The Star Grocery Store on Main Street. Emma Kelly died in 1893, William B. Kelly died in 1923, and Samuel Kelly died in 1933.
Carroll B. Kelly, the son of Mr: and Mrs. James K. Kelly, Jr., was born August 5, 1883, and died July 23, 1951, at WaKeeney. He served in World War I and was associated with his uncles, Sam and Will Kelly, in the Star Grocery. For many years he owned and operated the Kelly Theatre in WaKeeney. Lucia Kelly married Hugh Wonner, and they had a son, Frank Hugh. Hugh was also associated with the Star Grocery Store.
