The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13

cery Division of Alabama was born near Piedmont, Calhoun County, Alabama on February ', 1859. He comes of an old and much respected family. Chancellor Kelly is a Baptist. a Royal Arch Mason and an Elk.
 He was educated at Oxford College (Ala.) where he graduated in 1878. On Janary 4, 1879 he entered the law class of the University of Alabama, and Rradu- ated. with honor on July 4. 1879, com pleting the entire law course in six months. On July 15, 1879, he was ad- mitted to the bar, and rapidly rose to distinction as a practitioner, his legal acumen and forensic ability markings him as well equipped lawyer.
 He was frequently selected and apointed to act as special judge and chancellor, and his fair, impartial and correct ex. ercise of the judicial power commanded the respect. confidence and admiration of the bar and of the people. In 1o92 he was a candidate for the Democratic nomina- tion for Circuit Judge. and though de- feated after 44 ballots, the splendid race which he made. and the courage with which he accepted defeat only endeared him the more to his friends and imbued them with fresh resolution that his de- feat should be only temporary. In 1894 the Democrats of Calhoun County. with out solicitation on his part, nominated and elected him one of their Represen- tatives. In the Legislature he early took high rank, and was one of the most use- full and influential members of the House. and served on two of its most important committees, the Judiciary and Corpora tions. In 1898 he was nominated and elected AS Chancellor of the Northeastern Chancery Division of Alabama. The convention by which he was nominated was one of the most spirited and excit- ing of that year; several other strong men were his competitors, and combined their strength to secure the nomination for one of their number. Through the convention and the events which lead up to It's de- Alterations Chancellor Kelly displayed that superb leadership and splendid couf- age which so often before marked him as great leader In the election which followed he was victorious over his Popu- lite oponent, man of high character. by nearly 5000 majority. although in the pre- ceding election the Populists carried the division by over 2.000 majority, and con- trolled the election machinery in thirteen out of the sixteen counties which com- prised the division.
 Since his elevation to the bench Cham cellor Kelly has more than met the ex- pectation of his friends, and commanded the confidence and respect of the bar, throughout the State as an upright and exceedingly capable judicial officer. He is a student and in love with his profess sion. A man of clear brain and strong individuality he Is thoroughly imbued with a proper sense of the great responsibility of the high office he holds. While at all times courteous and kind to the bar lfe has established well earned reputation for dispatching business. He tolerates no unnecessary delays. he clears his dockets of all rubbish. He is a rapid and indefatigable worker. With painstak- ing expedition he gives full hearing to the new issues which the increasingly active business conditions prevailing throughout his division cause to constantly arise The youngest and most inexperienced member of the bar feels assured that his case will receive the same careful consideration and full Investigation that is given to a case argued by his most able and distinguish ed opponent. Some of the most distin- guished lawyers have appeared before him. and he has held court in small coun- ties and in the largest cities of the State, and the bar everywhere have by formal resolutions and otherwise evidenced their appreciation of his dignifed, expeditions ana impartial transaction of the business ot the court; the press have invariably spoken of him in terms of praise; and the Supreme Court have generally affirmed his many rulings and decrees. 1t Is said by one of his classmates. a man highly honored and much beloved. that when Chancellor Kelly was a student in the law class at the University, striving to conn plete the course so as to graduate with Tennent Lomax, James Weatherly Will ham Fl. Simpson, Chapel Cory and D, W. Speake. his classmates, that he told them in confidence one day that if he '1got