Representative John H. Kelley View All Years

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John H. Kelley

Polk County

JOHN HENRY KELLEY

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of the late Honorable John Henry Kelley, begs leave to submit the following memorial:

John Henry Kelley was born January 7, 1872, at Rehobeth, Ohio. At the age of ten years, he moved with his parents to Altoona, Iowa. He graduated from Altoona High School and then taught school for one year.

In 1892 he married Kate Simpkins of Altoona, who passed away in 1905, shortly after the birth of their third son. In 1910, he married Bessie Snyder of Altoona.

Mr. Kelley was the owner and publisher of the Altoona Herald from 1894 to 1900. He served as Chief Deputy Sheriff of Polk County in the years from 1900 to 1906, and after a few years, in 1913, he returned to the Sheriff’s office as Chief Deputy, remaining in that post until 1931. In the years 1908 to 1910, he was the superintendent of the State Archives in the Historical Building in Des Moines, and for many years served as assistant superintendent of the exposition building at the Iowa State Fair. He was Justice of the Peace in Altoona from 1937 to 1958, was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Altoona and was a member of the Pioneer Lawmakers Association. Mr. Kelley was a member of the Methodist Church.

Mr. Kelley served in the House of Representatives during the Thirty-second and Thirty-second Extra General Assemblies.

He passed away July 25, 1961, in Des Moines, Iowa. Surviving are his wife; a son, Karl E. Kelley of Des Moines; a son, Neil E. Kelley of Winterset, Iowa; (the third son, John Cecil Kelley, preceded his father in death). Also, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Sixtieth General Assembly of Iowa: That in the passing of the Honorable John Henry Kelley the state has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and useful public servant, and the House by this resolution would express its appreciation of his service, and tender its sympathy to the members of his family.

Be It Further Resolved: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

HOWARD C. REPPERT, JR.,

WILLIAM DENMAN,

LEROY PETERSEN,

Committee.

House District 37