KELLEY: Of Harper.

William D. Kelley, pioneer of Harper District, was born in Harrison County, Western Virginia, March 28, 1826, son of John L. Kelley and Tracy (Davis) Kelley; John L., born at Front Royal, Va., 1803, son of William Kelley, a soldier of the War of 1812, and Tracy was born in Harrison County, Western Virginia, October 10, 1805, and came to Poca in the year 1855.

William D. Kelley (first mentioned), on the 28th of December, 1848, in Braxton County, Western Virginia, married Margaret Carter, born in Lewis County, Virginia, September 20, 1828, daughter of William L. and Jane (Means) Carter; these four persons arrived and settled in upper Harper on Flat Fork in the year 1849, and within a very few years were reputed to be "well-to-do," and owned a large acreage of improved lands, and kept a crossroads store of general merchandise. William D. Kelley was soon given a commission as a justice of the peace. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate Army, Co. H, 17th Va. Cavalry, and served until Lee surrendered. Soon after returning from the war, he was elected as one of the Commissioners of the County Court of Roane, for a term of two years, then reelected for a term of six, serving in that capacity eight years.

To William D. and Margaret (Carter) Kelley were born, all at the farm-home mentioned, the following children: Tracy J., 1850; Thaddeus C., 1852; John W., 1854; Alice S., 1856; Dexter Lee, 1858; Oscar, 1860; Albert J., 1868.


Source: History of Roane County, West Virginia, 1774-1927 William H. Bishop, Esq. p 569-570
Submitter: Sandy Spradling, November 28, 1999