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 ARBIA KELLY, a prosperous farmer and stock-grower residing in Pleasant Grove Township, is an honorable representative of the early pioneers of the county, and of the self-made men of Illinois. He was born in September, 1826, in Washington County, Ind., and is the son of James and Elsie (Listham) Kelly. In 1827 the family came to Illinois and settled in Coles County, on the eastern branch of the Embarras River, near the present site of the Charleston water-works. The country at that time was an almost unbroken wilderness. The Indian tribes in the vicinity were hostile, and the white settlers were limited to a few widely scattered families. Wolves, deer, panthers and bears roamed over the lonely prairies and made their homes in the forests, but, undaunted by the perils of the wilderness, James Kelly entered land and established himself with his young family on the Western frontier. They came poor, and for many years the struggle with poverty, hardship and privation was a bitter one, but it was bravely met, and Mr. Kelly was subsequently enabled to purchase more land, finally becoming the owner of over 300 acres, which he improved and cultivated.James Kelly was a man of genial disposition, and, like Abraham Lincoln, enjoyed a good joke, which characteristics doubtless served to soften many of the asperities of pioneer life. Mrs. Kelly’s more delicate organization was not able to endure the discomforts and privations to which she was exposed, and she died soon after their settlement in this county, leaving a family of nine children—Rebecca, Matilda, Lucinda, Thomas, Spencer, James, Ebenezer, Larbia and Catherine. The four elder children are dead. Mr. Kelly subsequently married Miss Rhoda Taylor, and by this marriage three children were born Nancy, Sabrina and Henry Clay; of these the latter only is living. Mr. Kelly was a Whig in politics. His death occurred about the year 1849. Larbia Kelly was an infant when his parents removed to Illinois, and he grew up inured to the hardships of pioneer life, but almost entirely deprived of educational advantages. He passed his boyhood and youth at home, assisting his father in the various duties of farm labor, and when twenty years of age began the world for himself. Going to Wisconsin he engaged in hauling ore from the lead mines, and continued in that business several seasons. In the spring of 1850 he crossed the plains to California with an ox-team, which was a perilous and adventurous journey, and during an absence of about three years was variously occupied in milling and teaming. He saved some money out of this enterprise, and returned home via the Isthmus and New Orleans, and has since given his attention exclusively to farming, and now owns over 300 acres of land, supplied with a substantial two-story brick residence and appropriate farm buildings. Mr. Kelly possesses excellent business qualifications, and has acquired his property by the exercise of energy and industry. He was thrice married, his first marriage occurring when he was twenty-one years of age. His wife was Miss Marilda Sullivan, who died leaving two little girls Sarah and Laura. The former became the wife of Benjamin Parker, and the latter the wife of George Bates. His second wife, Miss Sarah Lemons, died leaving five children Susan, Elsie and Larbia, and two deceased; Susan became the wife of John W. King, and Elsie the wife of Noah Hackett. The maiden name of his present wife was Miss Millie Catherine Carter, and this marriage has been blest with one child, Ellen. In conducting his farm Mr. Kelly gives special attention to stock-raising, in which he has been very successful. He is not actively interested in public affairs, his own business requiring his almost exclusive attention. With his wife he is a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics belongs to the Republican party. As one of the pioneers of Coles County and a worthy representative of its farming element, we present the portrait of Mr. Kelly in connection with this brief personal narrative. |
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