Levi J. Kelly Obituary
Levi J. Kelly was born in Wayne County, Indiana, September 25, 1832, and died at Luray, Mo., Jan. 20, 1909, aged 76 years, 3 months, and 26 days. The funeral was from the M. P. church in Luray, Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, services being conducted by Rev. M. Sexsmith of Kahoka. The burial was in the Combs cemetery, at Luray.
The subject of this sketch has been a long time resident of Clark County, having located here in 1859. Upon leaving his boyhood home, he went first to Illinois, where he married, one child, Ellen Kelly, was born of this union. The wife lived but a short while. In 1862, three years after coming to Clark County, he married Mary Church, who as his widow survives. Three children were born of this union, A. J. Kelly, of Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs. Laura A. Scott of Jackson Co., Mo.; and Mrs. S. G. Barker, of Pedricena, Mexico, who also survive to mourn the loss of a kind and indulgent husband father.
Mr. Kelly, in answer to his country's call, enlisted in 1862 in Co. D., 2nd Reg. Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, and served until honorably discharged, as a sergeant, Jan. 24, 1864.
During the earlier years he was a farmer, but for several years had been engaged in the drug business at Luray, of which village he had been a popular and highly esteemed citizen during the last 20 years. He was a man of good intelligence, and kept himself well informed as to what was going on in the world about him, and beyond. He was honest in his dealings, steadfast in his friendships, and commanded the respect of his fellow men. He lived much beyond the allotted three score and ten, and kept busy until illness compelled him to cease his labors. He will be missed and mourned by a wide circle of relatives, friends and neighbors. In addition to the members of his family, two brother, J. J. Kelly, of Iola, Kansas; M. V. Kelly, of Indiana; and one sister, Mrs. J. R. Shepard, of Kahoka, survive.
1883 Pensioner's Roll:
"1870, chronic diarrhea and hepatitis, for 26 years"