Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-12-06
-Alfrss Kslle,..1llnr.. nna Funsral.


The late Mr.. KelIeys Legislative services
commenced at an early period. lie was the
member from Cuyshoga when Cleveland res
esived its village charter, and ho served in the
General Assembly from this county and Frank
lin during several Of the most trying epoehs in
the legislative history Of the State. He was the
author Of the law to incorporate the State
Banks and Branches, and other Banks, passed
under his leadership, in 1916. During the next
succeeding sessions. Mr. Kelley overhauled The
sntiis tax and financial systems of the State,
and inaugurated the principle Of equality and
cash valuation in tax law, since perfected and
adopted a. the basis of tax and revenue laws.
In legislation he was an early and constant
friend OGcOmmon school education, and as Fund
Commissioner in the commercial reyulsion OF
1886, he at one time pledged his private fortune
to raise money to pay the State interest, and
save Ohio honor from the stain of repudiatiOn.
In the Senate of 1867, Mr. X LEY devoted
himself with all the aTdor Of the prime of man
hood TO the duties of legislation, and several Of
the important acts Of that General Assembly
were originated and carried through by him.
His labors Of those tw severe winters did much
to break down his health, and the pIostration
from that period gradually proceeded. He had
recently retired from active life, and had been
been employed in further beautilying his ele-
giant grounds, making some long contemplated
changes and Improvements in his iine family
mansion, and in q division of a portion of his
large estate among his children-Mrs Bates Of
Columbus, Mrs. Collins of Cleveland, Mrs
Collins Of Columbus, his son Alfred, and Misses
Annie and Kate Kelley. His widow is the
daughter of the late Major Welles, of Lowville,
New York, and his brothers who survive him
are Judge I, M. Kelley and Trad Kelley, of this
city, and d .tus Kelley, of Kelley's Island
Last fall the deceased contemplated visit to
the Southern States for his health, but on reach
ing New York had presentiment that it was
his duty 70 return home. Mr. Kelley and his
daughter were passengers on the New World
when she was wrecked on the Hudson, and
narrowly escaped, with others.
Mr.. Kelley had lately remarked that his wolk k
was nearly done, and appeared ready to give an
account Of has stewardship Something like
paralysis prostratsd his powers, but he attend
ed to business until few days before his final
rest. When confined to his room and bed he
submitted with the most cheerful resignation,
and was conscious until some iorty eight hours
before the wheels Of Ifs stood still He was en-
tirely free from pain, and SO gently exhaled his
last breath, sncireIed by hs entire family, that
the precise moment when the mortal became
immortal was yeiled to the eyes of the affec-
tionato watchers.
The funeral of Mr.. Kelley took place at the
mansion Of the deceased on Broad street, on
Sunday afternoon, Dec. 4th, the Rev. Mr.. Han.
son, Of Trinity Church, 10 which the family
have long worshipped, officiating. The Obso,
quies were conducted without ostentation, and
were solemn and affecting. The speaker paid
deserved tribute TO the private AMI public
worth Of the deceased, aud spoke hopefully O.
his becoming like little child and having beer
led to a knowledge of the truth, in view o
his approaching end, ......e ....
The funeral was -rgely attended by the ole
and prominent citizens of Columbus, and by
friends from abroad. A special train of two
ears, drawn by the engine ALFRED Kelley,
dEsPed in mourning, conveyed relatives an,
igiends ffon this city, old residents, railIOas
men, etc. Among them we observed Messrs
7. N. Kelley and wife, Trad Kelley and daugh
ter q Guitar i Hlair Tav; Tobnson n A