Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens
Lawrence County Pennsylvania 1897
[p. 428] who until recently was engaged in retailing oil in New Castle, having built up a large business in that city and the surrounding country, but who is now interested in the grocery business in company with Perry S. Martin, was born in Mahoning township, Lawrence Co., Pa., April 25, 1866. His parents were Andrew and Rhoda (Robinson) Kelly, the latter a native of Mahoning township, and a daughter of John H. and Catherine (Ward) Robinson. Catherine (Ward) Robinson was a daughter of Francis Ward, and was born about 1800, and died in 1845. John H. Robinson was born in Mahoning township, then a part of Mercer County, in 1795, and died in 1873, having throughout his entire life followed the peaceful pursuits of agriculture. Of the eleven children born to him and his wife, eight now survive. John H. Robinson was a son of Henry and Mary (Kelly) Robinson, the father a native of old Ireland.
Andrew Kelly, our subject's father, was born in Mercer County in that part of it which is included in Mahoning township, Lawrence County, and followed farming in his native town all his life. His father, Andrew Kelly, Sr., was also a respected agriculturist, having come to Mercer County at an early day. To Andrew Kelly, Jr., were born seven children: John A., deceased; Newell, who died in a military hospital at Nashville, Tenn., while in the service of his country during the late rebellion; an infant daughter, deceased; Melissa, deceased; Elmer, who is conducting the old home farm in Mahoning township; Frank L., our subject; and Cary L., the youngest son, who is attending school in Granville, Ohio.
Frank L. Kelly obtained his education in the district schools of his native township, and the high school of Hillsville, Pa., until he had reached the age of eighteen years. During the following seven years, he worked on the home farm, giving his time to his parents. He married at the age of twenty-five, and for the next two years took entire charge of the homestead. Then seeing an opening in New Castle for a man of energy and indomitable will, he came to the city in 1893, and purchased an oil business which he extended in every direction to the city limits, and to outside points within a radius of eight or ten miles, delivering a superior quality of oils to his patrons throughout his district. July 22, 1897, he sold his oil business to Guy Zimmerman, and purchased, in company with Perry S. Martin, the store and grocery stock of John A. Miller & Son, of No. 388 West Washington Street, and they are now meeting with the most flattering success.
Mr. Kelly was married in Hillsville to Miss Nora M. Martin, a native of that borough, and a daughter of John S. and Rebecca (Fox) Martin. One bright child has come to gladden the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kelly, to whom has been given the name of Gladys. Our subject and wife are both members of the First Baptist Church of New Castle. Mr. Kelly is a Republican partisan, and a hard worker for his friends.
Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens Lawrence County Pennsylvania
Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N.Y., 1897
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Updated: 4 Jul 2001