Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-03-10
JUDGE W. R. KELLY is DEAD
Former General Solicitor of Union Pa
eific Succumbs in California.
IN FAILING HEALTH FOR YEARS
Head of LeEaI Department Here for
Decade, Once Attorney of Lin
rOIn-veternn OF sherman'H
March TO the Sea.

Judge William r. Kelly. former general
solicitor OF the Union Pacific system. died
early Thursday morning ~ his home in Los
Angeles He had been In in health Tor
several years His daughter, Mrs Ray
m0nd welsh OF Omaha. was at the bed
side when the end came. lie was g. years
old.
Information Of the death Of Judge Kelly
was received at Union Pacific headquarters
here by William Whitaker of the legal
department THURSDAY morning Arrange
ments for the funeral have not been an
nounced.
Judge Kelly entered the employ Of the
Union Pacific in 1ss5 at Lincoln as coun-
sci for the road in al cases which came up
south OF the Platte river In lSs5 he was
made assistant general solicitor with Of
fiees at Omaha and in Ess5 he succeeded
TO the position Of Eeneral solicitor be was
in the service Of tht toiIfpany through the
most strenuous days of its financial history
and the receivership. He resigned because
Of falling health January 1906 He was
succeeded by the late John n. Baldwin
whose place was taken in turn by n n
LOOMS. the present incumbent
At his death Judge Kelly held the posi-
ton Of general solicitor for the Salt Lake
and San Pedro road.
Judge Kelly was born in Licking county,
Ohio. in lsas When but Is years Of age he
enlisted in March 1854. as q private in
Company E. Twentieth Illinois infantry,
and was with sherman in his march TO
the sea and the campaigns through Caro-
lima After being discharged in July, 1865.
he studied law. and was admitted 70 prac-
tice in Illinois IN 1865. In 1870 he removed 10
Holt county. Missouri. where he lived
about a year. and then returned TO llli-
nois. In 1879 he removed TO Lincoln
Neb., which was his home until 1879, when
1 he removed TO Omaha Mr. Kelly was
elected states attorney in De Witt county
Illinois. in 1876. and served until April, 1873,
4 when he resigned: and in 1sso-lssl he served
as city attorney Of Lincoln With these
exceptions he held no public office, but
I devoted himself assiduously 10 his profes-
I sion.
sketch of His Life.
Wnliam Riley Kelly vac born in Perry
county. ohio. January o. lS4s. moved 10
clinton. H. when a hoy, enlisted in the
/ twentieth Illinois Volunteer infantry at
the age OF Is years and served TO the end
/ Of the war He was mustered out AT
/ I louisville Ky July l6, 1865 He received
his early training as an attorney In the
: office Of Hon H :. Greene OF Clinton. HI,
v-ss admitted to the bar IN 1870, married
AZ Mseomb III. May s. lS73 TO Eleanor
Rermon. a native Of Ohio. He moved 10
Lincoln. Neb.. tn 1873 and was member
AZ the law firm Of Harwood, Ames &
Kelly for many years; moved 20 Omaha in
7sss ana for q few years had charge OF the
I law business OF the Union Pacific Railroad
company in the state Of Nebraska Hs
sueeeeded John NJ Thurston as general 50.
Z Bcitor Of the Union Pacific system in 1896
/ On account Of failing health. he resigned
his position with the Union Pacific IN lao'
and moved 20 Los Angeles. where he had
large property interests. After year
rest his health was so much improved thai
he accepted.the position Of general solicitor
Of the san Pedro Los Angeles & Salt Lak'
railroad and held this position At the TIM
Of his death. He is survived by his Wif
and daughter the latter the wife Of Mr.
Dzymond ~ Welch. president Of m
. . Omaha CooperaEs company.
Mr.. Kelly's many friends in Omaha
: where he lived 50 long and was so we
Z known. will learn Of his death with kee
. regret and sorrow. Judge Kelly worke
: hard lived honestly, injured no one. tt
was a good man. q strong and brave ma
ard a gentleman az all times Those VII
knew him best loved him most In his lii
here In Omaha ne set q fine example
business and society.