Harry Kelly (politician) participant of World War I
Early life
Kelly was born in Ottawa, Illinois, one of nine siblings born to Mary Agnes (Morrissey) and Henry Michael Kelly, a lawyer. Both of his parents were Roman Catholics of Irish descent. Kelly spent a year assisting his father in his law office before enrolling at the University of Notre Dame, where he received a law degree from Notre Dame Law School in 1917. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I, was wounded and lost his right leg in the Battle of Chateau-Thierry, where he also earned the Croix de Guerre with palm leaves.  Upon his return to the United States, Kelly joined the American Liberty bond drive.After the war, Kelly established a career in public service. He served as the state's attorney for LaSalle County, Illinois from 1920 to 1924. During that time, his father moved to Detroit to represent General Motors in Michigan.  Harry followed when his term as state's attorney ended, joining his father and younger brother Emmett to form the law firm of Kelly, Kelly, and Kelly.In 1929, Kelly married Anne Veronica O'Brien, and they had six children together, including actor Brian Kelly.  The following year, he became the assistant prosecuting attorney for Wayne County, Michigan, where he served until 1934.