H. J. KELLY,
foreman of the Logan colliery, Centralia, was born in Monmouthshire, South Wales, June 6,
1884, son of James C. and Elizabeth (JONES) KELLY. In 1863 the family came to America and
located in St. Clair, Schuylkill Co., Penn., where our subject went to work in the mines.
His father died at St. Clair, December 9, 1884; his mother still resides there. Our
subject commenced work in the mines of his native country when he reached the age of eight
years, and on arriving at St. Clair became engaged at the Mount Laffee colliery. There he
worked until 1864, when he enlisted in Company H, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry; served in
Virginia and Maryland, and at the close of the war was mustered out at Harrisburg in July,
1865. He then went back to St. Clair and to the mines, where he remained until 1872, when
he went to Mahanoy City and there worked in several of the collieries. In April, 1875, he
went to Ashland to take charge of the Bast colliery, Big Mine Run, for the Philadelphia
& Reading Coal & Iron Company. He remained there until 1877, when he took charge
of the Richardson colliery for the same company. He was thus engaged for nearly four
years, and in 1881, on the opening of the Logan colliery, he came to Centralia to take
charge of it, and has held that position since, having under him 400 men and boys. He was
married at St. Clair July 30, 1867, to Miss Ann JONES, a native of St. Clair and a
daughter of Evan and Celia JONES, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. KELLY are the parents of
nine children, eight of whom are now living: Frank, Harry, Elizabeth, Rhoslyn, Ida and
Edith (twins), Annie Logan and Celia; the deceased one was named Mary. Mr. KELLY is a
member of Minersville Lodge, No. 222, A.,F. & A.M.; is one of the directors of the
poor of the Conyngham and Centralia District, having served as such since April,
1884.(History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, pg. 431)
