Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-09-11
For the journal

sane kk. Kelly, keEsaHSVilie, N. e.
There are few men il Eastern North
Carolina who have attained SO emiDent |
a position in public regard as the sub
Icct of this brief sketch; there are none |
who have been less indebted to exter- |
nal aid, to the smiles of capricious |
fortune or the more solid advantages |
Of liberal education and scholastic
training.
Mr.. Kelly was born in Fayetteville,
county, n. c., 3lst Oc-
tober, 1909. His father was of Irish
descent, ard was at that time partner
in tailoring establishment Of that
town; but he died in 1914, leaving a
widow and four small children without
sny other means of support than their
own labor and Efforts wouid provide
At very early age Mr.. Kelly was en-
dentured as an apprentice TO harness
maker and saddler, andin this capacity
his youth was spent in uuintermitting
labor, having hand the opportunity Of
attending school only few months
during the whole period Of his minori-
ty. Blest, however with 4 healthy and
vigorous constitution, and an intellect
both quick and practical, he very
soon became master OF his trade,
which, at that time, Was more
profitable ana furnishing than
most others, and his industry and skill
contributed materially to the prosper
ity of his employers business.
For some years before the cxpira-
ton of his apprenticeship, he was Sc
lected to visit the neghboring count
les, during the sessions OF their res
pective Courts, for the purpose of ex-
tending the business and disposinS Of
such portions Of stock as might then
be on hand. WLiie thus engaged lie
visited kena 1sville, the county seat of
Duplin, and though the village was
just beginning to be settled, he was so
faVorabiy impressed, that he resolved
to make his first Efforts at that point,
as soon as he should be free to work
Oh his own account. With 10 means
therefore but lis technical skill, lis
frugal and industrious habits and a
firm determination To meet success,
he opened IN April 1892, little shop
in henaEsyille Dup'in county, where
he might be seen diligently plying
his wOlk. lis business gradually but
steadily increased. apprentices were
eager TO be instructed, and being hap
PLY married, a pleasant and perma-
ncic home was now provided.
But his eXtraord nary energy soon
sought a wider field; and Il large store
was erected and filled with a carefully
selected stock of genera. merchandise
the original business being still ear
rled on successfully as II separate de-
pGrtment. Having his business and
residence at the county seat, being one
OF the earliest settlers OF the village,
sometimes the Oni Y and always the
leading merchant, he became widely
known and had business transactions
with almost all the families of his
adopted county. La this way the
strict Integrity aud undertaking up
ri-tituuss OF his character ;or which he
has ever been distinguished, being
thorough y and widely teetel /, he became
firmly established; and SO great WAS
the confidence repOsed IN him that
notwlthsta aiding his proveghiai irIul-
gencc continued from Wear 10 wear TO
scores Of debtors, be was tnlhied Tot
merely to carry on bat greatly To cx-
tend his blt-Iness, having al the capt.
tal he welded from the v',I,,ntary ,,f,,.r-
ings of such IL all parts of the COUNTY.
as had surplus MONEY to invest With
no advantage # educati, II. ct so greet
/ AZ. been las application. SO keen his
observation, So sound his Judgment,
anu 50 reteutive his memory. that
he conducted al his correspon-
dance nar,n,alIv .nro,;r.e,,.ot an
!, 9 c,,onute ava 81 ,7,r.ct..'1 H., ..,,.,i.
est details Of ms b1siafss - t0 secure
the resnect he cnrfi 1enca and astaaIn
of all who knew him. aud his s,ccess
was so marked that before tra war no
was regarded the most prosprrcus and
among the wc3ltLieSt citiznos Of
that region. ati0ancjer Mr. Kelley
has !ey,-IoDc1 an extraordinary Talent
ana a wGr.!.r.rl ctpa,-;,v ,,assiner
safely through AL trials and panics,
meeting every obligation and IrOyi-
ding against all the losses, many IN
number and often heavy in am mt,
which the results of the var, sweep
ing away SO much Of the property Of
his debtors as we'll as ms own, have
necessarily brought upon him. He is
now in his Gti:h year, but he stands
erect, and is as actively engaged as in
his more youthful days. He manifests
the same indomitahic energy. tao same
force and visor q character that have
marked him SO prominently among his
fellows and be has succeeded in
rebuilding, from the scantv re-
mains OF what the war LETT to
nina prosperous business and
preserving uutarnished proud repu
tation for stern integrity, nnwaveriug
honesty, and kind and generous liber-
aIity. Though furnishing a remarka-
bic instance OF what can be accom-
plished without the advantages of
early education and Youthful training
Mr. Kelley has ever been the friend Of
education. and a most liberal srnporter
of schools and academies of lnarn;nc
He was the constant advocate and the
largest contributor of the two leadirrt
educational institutions ot tho ccrn+Io
seat. and which we're DESIGNED 70 So,
cure sDecial ADVANTAGES for tha youth
of both SEXES He bos also hon nrn,,,
inent in the support Of the vdrions