# Portland, Oregon: Its History and Builders/Volume 2/Clinton Kelly

CLINTON KELLY.
Clinton Kelly was born in the wilds of Kentucky and grew up as rugged as his native mountains. Reared amid hardships, his labor-scarred hand grasped tha hand of the humblest toiler and caled him brother. He wore the garb of the lowly and his feet trod the byways of the poor; but his was a great soul that held daily converse with his God. If the tide of world-fret ever reached him it left him unrufiBed, for he had a great peace—the peace of God. It would be unseemly to offer him praise; he dwelt in an atmosphere above it. His biography is written in communities where he lived—upon the hearts of the people for whom he labored, but his interest in humanity was not confined to these; it extended to the outermost ledge of this old world of ours, wherever a human soul might be found. His heart was big enough to take in all.
Mr. Kelly was born on Clifty creek, Pulaski county, Kentucky, June 15, 1808. His father, Samuel Kelly, was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, February 7, 1776, and was the third son of Thomas Kelly, whose birth occurred near Philadelphia about 1750. The ancestral home was Castle Kelly, Ballinasloe, County Roscommon. Ireland. When a young man Thomas Kelly ran away from home to avoid being pressed into the English army. He settled in Virginia and about 1800, with his wife, Peggy (Biles) Kelly, and their family, emigrated to Kentucky, settling in Pulaski county, where he died a few years later at the home of his son Samuel on Clifty creek. His wife passed away in 1814.
Samuel Kelly, having arrived at years of maturity, was married September 3, 1807, to Nancy Canada, a neice of General Canada, and they began their domestic
​life on Clifty creek, seven miles from Somerset, Kentucky. There he erected two mills and manufactured fiour, saltpetre, Epsom salts, turpentine, linseed oil and gunpowder. Though he had no educational privileges in early youth, he became well versed in law and history. His wife was a woman of unusual personality, of strong religious tendencies, enthusiastically supporting the Methodist church and openly antagonistic to the use of liquor, then so common. Samuel Kelly died October 13, 1834, his wife surviving until the 26th of January, 1841. Their children were Clinton, Albert, Temperance, Gilby, Cyrene, Sena, Gilmore, Samuel, Rachel, Tabitha and Thomas. Of these Clinton, Gilby, Albert and Samuel were itinerant ministers and Sena became the wife of Josiah Godbey, also a preacher.
Clinton Kelly spent his boyhood on the home farm with little chance for the attainment of an education. He came of a Methodist home and a consecrated mother; it was also the home of the traveling preacher; hence it is not strange that Clinton and three of his brothers became Methodist circuit riders. He was converted at eighteen and so marked was the change that it was evident to his neighbors and friends what his misson to the world would be. He began preachng, usmg the second story of his father's house as a meeting place. With his yoke ot steers he hauled logs with which he built a school house and taught the first school in his home neighborhood. Soon afterwards he and his brothers built the church, the site of which was and is still called Mount Zion, and there they continued to preach the Gospel for some time.
When nineteen years of age Clinton Kelly was united in marriage to Miss Mary Baston and to obtain the license fee, for which he had to pay a dollar, he made and sold in Somerset a barrel of cider, crushing the apples by hand. In 1834 he attended the annual conference in Kentucky, -became an itinerant minister and was assigned to the Elizabethtown circuit. He traveled up and down the knobs and vales of Kentucky, enduring privations as a good soldier of Jesus for many years. He was self-taught; rather he was taught of the Spirit. He had three months of schooling; nay, his whole life was spent in the school of Christ, and he who learns in that school is truly wise. Diligent application at the pine-knot blaze gave him a start, and a life of reading and study rounded out a well formed character. But his chief study was the Bible. He carried a testament in his pocket and read on the way to his appointment or while waiting at the mill for his grist; no precious moment was lost. He talked well upon all subjects but the Bible was his text-book, the love of God his theme. He had studied to such purpose that where others stumbled he quoted correctly no matter what the passage; his expositions were rich and clear, for they were Spirit-illumined. His illustrations appealed to the masses; his pictures were of life as he saw it every day; no incident was too homely to point a lesson. As his family increased he worked the harder, his shoemaker's kit dividing the time with his books on long and lonesome horseback journeys. Perhaps it was a basket to be woven as he rode or some other useful art was brought into play, for in those days men and women did everything and children early fell into the habit.
​Rev. Clinton Kelly continued to preach and to work with the aid of his wife, so that his entire salary might go for books. His cash receipts for an entire year often fell below five dollars in coin. At the time of their marriage Mrs. Moriah Kelly had twelve dozen pairs of socks which she had spun and knitted and these were exchanged for broadcloth for a suit for her husband. He was a man of plain and simple tastes and habits but a hard worker, never idle for a moment When political strife divided the Methodist church he decided to move to the west, built wagons, gathered his belongings together and in the fall of 1847 started for Oregon with his brothers Albert and Thomas. The first night out after reaching Independence, Missouri, in a hailstorm the cattle stampeded and Albert Kelly was compelled to remain behind in an effort to regain his cattle, all of which had been lost in the stampede. The ever generous nature of Clinton Kelly is indicated by the fact that on this occasion, realizing the great loss sustained by his brother, he insisted on giving him liberal financial aid. The toilsome journey of six months was made with ox teams over burning sands and cragged mountain ranges. In the fall they arrived at Oregon City, the capital of the provisional government of Oregon. The Methodist church had already established a mission at this point and the place was partially fortified against Indians. The sturdy Kelly boys soon found work getting out timbers for George Abernethy, the provisional governor.
An incident narrated by Plympton Kelly lent variety to their lonely life; it was in regard to the coming of the first territorial governor, General Joseph Lane. The new governor was expected on a certain day and great preparations were made for his reception. Everybody was on the alert when a canoe was sighted coming up the river. At nearer range it was observed to be paddled by Indians and carrying a white man. When without hailing distance a man on shore called through his hands: "Is Joe Lane in that canoe?" A form rose in answer and shouted back: 'Tin the man!" The guns boomed a joyous welcome and the air rang with acclamations of delight as General Lane stepped on shore. The new governor dined with the old that day and everybody rejoiced that "The Oregon Country" was at last a regularly organized territory' of the United States over which "the stars and stripes" spread its protecting folds.
The Grim Messenger did not forget Clinton Kelly in the new land—came often enough to preserve in his heart a God-like tenderness. That winter two promising boys, Calmet and Bengal, were laid under the sod of Green Point, hushed to their long slumber by the music of the Willamette. In the spring the family moved to a cabin on the James B. Stevens place on the bank of the river opposite Portland, then merely a few log shanties. Later in the same season Mr. Kelly bought the right of a previous homesteader to six hundred and forty acres of what was afterward known as the Clinton Kelly Donation Land Claim, lying two miles east of the river, for which he was to pay fifty dollars. There was a log hut on the place and a few acres partly cleared. He sowed all the cleared land to turnips, raised a big crop and paid for his claim that year.
In the course of time an immense log house rose on the site now occupied by the Williamson Sanitorium. The log house was a landmark for many years. It was running over with people during the Indian troubles of 1855 and 1856, farmers hurrying in well armed, expecting an attack. It gave place to a frame dwelling from which Clinton Kelly passed out into the Life Eternal, in the year 1875. The present structure was built by his son-in-law. Captain J. W. Kern, who died some years ago.
Toiling for his daily bread, the subject of this sketch never forgot the charge Divinely given in his far-off Kentucky home—to preach a gospel of love wherever he went. He preached it most forcibly in his life. At different times he filled preaching appointments at Portland, Alilwaukie, Oregon City, Fosters. Mount Tabor and other places. In 1849 he preached the first sermon ever delivered in Portland, the meeting being held in a cooper shop in the vicinity of what is now Front and Stark streets, on which occasion nearly the entire population ​fifteen or twenty people, were present. Subsequently he hauled logs and assisted in building the first church in Portland. Clothed in homespun garments, his long jeans coat reaching nearly to the ground, a tall white beaver on his head and a Kentucky hickory in his hand, Sunday morning saw him setting out on foot for his appointment, his quaint "farewell" lingering long after he had passed from sight in the dim, silent woods. Portland, Milwaukie, Mount Tabor, Oregon City, Columbia, Slough, Lents, St. Johns, Sandy, Fairview, Fosters—indeed the greater part of Multnomah county derived spiritual food from his teachings. When it was too far to walk,—and ten or fifteen miles was no hardship—"Bob," a favorite horse brought across the plains, accompanied him. After a long life of service the faithful animal was buried in the grove near the house, the children standing around in tearful grief. Under diligent hands the Kelly acres were cleared and produce raised for the market. At first a wheelbarrow sufficed for transportation, while later a handcart was used, but as the town grew and business increased, facilities kept pace with the growing need. The farm literally fed the town. There are still those who will recall the lumbering wagon drawn by oxen, the homely figure, the genial smile that camef rom a heart warm with love for humankind. He never overreached anybody. One of his customers said to him: "Mr. Kelly, you sell too cheap!" He answered: "My motto is—Live and let live." The beautiful Willamette was an obstacle to business. A rude horseferry was in operation but on stormy days it was carried far out of its course and some days it never crossed at all. Often the loaded wagon with its occupant stood in the driving rain all day, only to return at night and try again the next day. Mr. Kelly built a flatboat for his own use, propelled by oars; but that was interfering with the business of others—at least it was so regarded—and the boat was cut loose from its moorings and left to drift along the flats of the east side. The truant craft was found, brought back and fastened by lock and chain to a tree. The next day both boat and tree were far down the river. When he returner after a fruitless trip and told the tale the family were indignant, but his happy laugh is still remembered; he seemed to consider it only one of the "light afflictions."
A stock company of east side residents was formed for the object of putting on a steam ferry. The Stark Street Ferry Company got out an injunction prohibiting any other company landing within certain limits. But the building went on, the steam ferry was finished and made regular trips, landing outside the proscribed hmits. Plympton Kelly was the captain of the new boat and its name was "Independence." But the old company found it was time to wake up and ere long another boat was under way, to be fitted up with boiler and engine. When the "Victory" appeared on the river with flying colors she made the short distance from bank to bank in much less time than was possible for the "Independence," restricted as she was to landing far above and below the city limits, the old company having purchased exclusive rights for a mile up and down the river. The "Independence" was finally withdrawn and put in the cattle-carrying trade, and the "Victory" was one in fact as well as in name. But the end sought had been obtained— an efficient means of crossing the river that could be relied upon with some degree of certainty.
In January, 1864, Clinton Kelly was called upon to bear what was probably the heaviest burden of his life; the Kelly home was again left without a mother. The years were telling upon him and he was less able to bear a load of sorrow that threatened to crush him. He had himself been near death's door, and it was this fact and the consequent watching night and day, which she would yield to no other, that prostrated Mrs. Kelly. Sorrowfully he rose from a sick bed and with a breaking heart bade the companion of his joys and sorrows a final farewell. He gathered the younger children around him—of whom there were five, the youngest a boy of seven— and together they mourned their irreparable loss. It was long ere he regained his wonted cheerfulness. Sometimes, on the spur ​of the moment, he would call her name, only to be reminded that she was far away, beyond the sound of human speech.
It is said that troubles never come singly; in the fall of that year the loghouse, its cellars and storerooms fairly bursting with provisions, was burned to the ground. A frost-proof apple house and a born soon followed and a few years later a large new barn stuffed with hay, the lower story containing hundreds of bushels of fruits and potatoes, was consumed by the flames. This happened at Christmas time. A heavy snow lay on the ground and the winter's stores were in ashes. One approached him pityingly, expressing regret at his hard lot. He responded with a laugh of almost boyish freedom: "This is a very small matter; my treasure is laid up in heaven. What if one of the children had been burned!" He might have said with Paul: "None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus." Once, in the early morning, while on his way to market with a heavy load of farm produce and while descending a hill near home, his youngest son, still a mere boy, walking beside the yoke of cattle, at a narrow point in the road slipped and fell in such a way as to be caught by the near front wheel. The wet condition of the road caused the body to skid for several feet before the oxen could be brought to a halt and thus a tragic termination of the lad's life was averted by a rare chance; or shall we call it Providence? The boy was only slightly hurt, but his coat bearing the muddy wheel marks was hung away in a closet to be worn no more, only to be taken out at times and contemplated with feelings of deep emotion, as if it were something sacred.
Clinton Kelly reared a family who have been a credit to his name, several of them becoming valued citizens of this part of the country. His oldest son, Plympton Kelly, was a prosperous farmer of Kellys Butte, Oregon, but is now deceased. Hampton Kelly, a great Bible student and church worker, died in Wasco county, Oregon, in 1899. Archon, for many years an itinerant preacher in Oregon died in Portland in 1890. Mar- Jane became the wife of James Akin, of Benton county, Oregon, and is now deceased. John Crain died in infancy. Sarah Margaret married J. W. Kern, of Portland, and both are now deceased. Penumbra Kelly is also living in Portland. He was sheriff of this district for a number of years and also by appointment of President Arthur was United States marshal of this district for several years, while for four terms he represented Multnomah county in the state legislature. Laura F. is the wife of E. Turner, of Stockton, California. Maria Emily is the widow of Rev. John Shaver, of Portland. Fredrika B. is the wife of Rev. Martin Judy, of the southern California confemce. Dr. Richmond Kelly is a resident of Portland. Raymond, the youngest, died in infancy. The descendants of the Rev. Clinton Kelly to the third and fourth generation live in and about Portland. They constitute, with the descendants of his three brothers mentioned above, his cousins the Fawcetts and other more distant relatives, the "Kelly Clan," which holds its annual reunion at Portland the last Saturday in June.
​Of Mr. Kelly's last days on earth we speak reverently. Calling in his neighbors he told them he had not long to stay—that he was going home to God. He assured them his mind was as clear as at any time in life and expressed the great comfort and satisfaction he derived from the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ that he had tried to preach for many years. Then they knelt together in love and commemorated the Last Supper, joining in one of his favorite hymns — "I will sing you a song of that beautiful land;" after which he took each by the hand in an affectionate farewell, they "sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake that they should see his face no more." Shortly after he took his departure, to be "forever with the Lord."
From a contemporary writer we quote: "That man of God, Clinton Kelly, left the following testimony, given in his last hours, in favor of the religion of Jesus. It was with the greatest difficulty that he could converse with the friends "who called to see him, and in lieu thereof he requested that a copy of these, his dying words, should be addressed to each. Friend, imagine yourself standing upon the brink of death, the boundless unknown spreading away from your feet: have you the grace that enabled Father Kelly to utter these noble words? 'After a protracted affliction, very feeble in body and very near the end of my earthly pilgrimage, I feel a desire to inform my numerous friends, in and out of the church, of my prospects for another world. During my affliction I have had many manifestations of the great love of Jesus, which has given me patience and resignation and a good hope through grace; and I suppose that if hundreds, nay, even thousands of men and women were present to witness my unshaken confidence in God, who can have no such opportunity, it would be a saving lesson to them. I want to say to one and all that there is no name given under heaven whereby we can be saved only the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. For fifty years it has been my special care to make myself acquainted with the religious theories of the world, and the best you can do for your soul's sake is to cast the whole of them to the moles and bats and trust alone in Jesus Christ for salvation from sin here, victory in death, and eternal salvation above. This you would all admit if your souls were in my soul's stead, standing ready to depart. I want you to understand that this is not the result of a fevered brain or hallucination of any kind. I have not had an hour's fever in the whole course of my disease. My mind has been all the while as clear and rational as through common life. Now if this little circular should bring any of you to God, I am content.
Clinton Kelly.'"