The Portland daily press., 1888-02-16

Albert Livingston KeiIy-Webster Kei-
~ "reminiscences of Daniel Web
SteY.

SteFs
[Paper Read before the Maine Historical Society
by Joseph williamson
In behalf of Edward A. Kelly, Esq. Of
Boston, herewith present to the Society
memorial volume of his family, comprising
the descendants of John Kelly, Of New bury,
Massachusetts, who came to that town from
England, in 1886
Many Of these descendants settled in New
Hampshire, but few Of the seventh and
eighth generations have resided in Maine.
Among them was Albert Livingston Kelly,
late of Winter2ort, formerly Frankfort,
where for sixty years he was prominent
and much respected citizen. His father,
Hon. Israel W. Kelly, held various public
stations. being successfully sheriff, judge,
and United States marshal, and his mother.
the daughter of Rev. Elijah Fletcher, and a
sister of the first wife of Daniel Webster,
was regarded as one of the most intellectual
women the State had produced Their home
abounded in hospitality. Among its fire.
quent visitors were Ezekiel Webster, the
Fletcher, Hon. Thomas w. Thompson, with
whom both the WebSters read law, and other
distinguished men of the day. Surrounded
by such influences, the early life of the sub
ltcb Oh lfttS lttiuOiI Wdo pdSStu. lie Dttdlit
much attached to the elder Webster, whose
wise counsel and advice large contributed to
shape his future career.
AT the age Of fifteen, young Kelly entered
Dartmouth College, being taken there by his
friend Mr. Webster. He graduated In 1921,
whom the last survivor was the Rev. William
Clark, ID. d., who died in 1887, at the age of
eighty eight years. He took high rank as
scholar. and his proficiency in Greek was
Ian mi bx-h ic nfatp
Upon leaving college, he commenced the
study of law with the Hon. Stephen Long
fellow, of Portland, where he continued for
three years; then and ever afterwards en-
joying the esteem and confidence Of that emf,
nent man. The intimacy which he formed
with Mr.. Longfellow's family constituted a
source of Improvement and pleasure that he
always delighted to refer to. During the
last year of his residence in Portland, he re-
ceived what was then regarded as high
honor for a young man; an invitation from
the municipal authorities to deliver the
Fourth of July GRAFTON. The service was
performed in a manner that ELECTED the
highest praise. 'Mr. Kelly's oration," said
the Portland Advertiser IF July 18th, 1926
''has been published at the request of the
Selectmen, and is for sale at the several
bookstores. 1t is a sensible well written
Grafton, abounding in just reflections and
sound principles and will be read with
pleasure as well by those who heard it de-
livered, as by others who had not that OF
portunity."
Soon after his admission to the bar, a de-
sirable vacancy for a lawyer occurred at
Frankfort, by the death of Philo II. Wash
burn, ESQ.,, who had practiced there for sew
eral years, and Mr.. Kelly determined to
avail himself of it. He established himself
there in September, 1925. His predecessor
had acted as agent for Messrs. Israel Thorn
dixie, David Sears. and William Prescott, of
Boston, residuary owners of that portion of
the Waldo Patent known as "The Ten Pro-
prietors' Land" and that important trust
was also filled by Mr.. Kelly. His business
soon became extensive, and he occupied a
high position among his associates. A famil-
arity with the law Of real estate, which in
those days of possessory claims and uncertain
boundaries formed an important branch OF
the profession, caused wide demand upon
him. About 1910, having obtained an inter
est in the lands under his management, he
retired from practice and devoted himself to
his private estate. Fifteen years of activity
had severely taxed his health, which had
never been firm. In fact, from early man
hood, his mental energy was superior to his
physical strength. TO one acquainted only
with the former, who once expressed sur
| prise that he had not entered political life,
| and established reputation which could
| have been easily attained, Mr.. Kelly replied
that his constant infrmities precluded any
exertion not absolutely required for the
wants of those dependent upon him. But
while these disbursements for many years
| restricted him to comparative secluSion,
they did not destroy lively interest in all
that pertained to the public welfare. A sense
of duty occasionally impelled him to discuss
local questions, in which his words were Of
weight and of influence. He wrote upon
general subjects for the press, and gratified
his fellow citizens with lectures before the
village lyceum. One of the latter, upon
1.-THE influence of mothers" was much adj
mired, and received commentator from
newspapers in which portions of it appeared.
Whenever he addressed the public, 1t was
with persuasive eloquence, felicity OF
language, and grace Of gesture. His die
whose works he had so often read as to be
able to quote whole passages of the Sketch
Book, from memory. Decor0us in dress,
dignihed in department, he appeared alike at
home and abroad as natural gentleman-an
American Sir Charles Grandson. All his
words and actions were c0nformed to the
rules of good taste. Entirely independent of
public opinion, he was perhaps exclusive;
but never assuming. An almost intuitive
and correct judge of character, he drew good
men toward himself, but the bad he would
never tolerate
In the full possession Of his mental facul-
ties, Mr.. Kelly died at Winterport, on the
eighteenth Of August, 1885, being the day
| following the eighty-third anniversary Of his
birth. His widow, daughter of the late
| Waldo Pierce, Esq, of Frankfort, to whom
he was married in 1929, and five children,
survive him.
When Mr.. Kelly relinquished legal bust
ness it was taken by his younger brother,
Webster Kelly. Esq, who resided in Maine
for nearly twenty years. He was born at
Salisbury, N. H., in 1904. and graduated at
Dartmouth College in 1924. Opening first
an office in Frankfort, he subsequently prac-
ticed in Belfast and Bangor, removing from
the latter place to Boston in 1851. He rose
rapidly in his profession, and occupied
prominent position at the bars OF waldo ana
Penobscot counties, where he was highly re-
garded for his integrity and professional
ability. "He was man singularly modest
in the estimation Of his own power, which
fact prevented his becoming more known to
the public. 1t wa, only in the circle of his
immediate friends and clients that he could
be properly appreciated. They knew his
purity of heart, his warm attachment and
fidelity to those he regarded, his capacity and
calm ability in advising and leading them
through the intricate difficulties of business.
He was fine scholar, well read in his pro-
fession. and when aroused by the conscious
ness of the Justice of an oppressed clients
claim, would address jury in his behalf
with wonderful clearness, power. and elo-
quence" Mr.. Kelly died suddenly In New
| Hampshire, July 8. 1855, at the age OF fifty
one, after successfully conducting an impor-
tant case. He married Miss Lucilla D.
| PIERCE, sister of his brothers wife, who
with their children reside in Boston. A