Sixty-Eight In A Series--Clarke County History:
JOSEPH KELLEY, deceased, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, July 30, 1824. He was left an orphan at an early age, and therefore received but limited educational advantages, his youth being spent in assisting with the work of a farm. In 1851 he came to Clarke County, Iowa, where he entered a tract of land containing 600 acres, to which he added at different times till he owned nearly 1,000 acres.
He was married in 1855 to Miss Harriet Sturman, who was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, in 1838, she being next the youngest in a family of twelve children of James and Eliza Sturman, who moved from Virginia to Coshocton County, Ohio, and from there to Madison County, Iowa, in 1849, where they died. After his marriage Mr. Kelley settled on a farm of 160 acres on section 3, Ward Township, which is still occupied by his widow and where he died September, 1870, leaving seven children--Mary E., wife of Anderson Burt; Charles A, Sarah A. (engaged in teaching school), Lettie M., Nevada, Francis M. and Viola M.
Mr. Kelley was an industrious and enterprising farmer, and by his excellent business management was very successful in his agricultural pursuits. He was a kind and affectionate husband and father, and as a citizen and neighbor he was held in high esteem for his many qualities. He was always interested in every enterprise which he deemed for the public good, and for a time served efficiently as clerk and also as assessor of Ward Township, giving satisfaction to his constituents. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, serving as steward from the organization of his church till his death, and also held the position of class-leader. His widow is a member of the same denomination, and a respected member of society.