Galena Daily Gazette
21 February 1918

Death Calls Patrick Kelly

Galena Citizen Dies at Home on South Bench Street

Patrick Kelly, for many years lockmaster at Galena Junction and a former alderman of Galena, died at his home on South Bench street shortly after eleven o'clock this morning after an illness of several weeks duration.

Further particulars will be published later.


Galena Daily Gazette
22 February 1918

The Late Patrick Kelly

Time of Funeral Not Yet Set Owing to Absence of Son

The time of the funeral of the late Patrick Kelly, mention of whose death was made in the Daily Gazette yesterday, has not yet been set, as one son, Edmund P., is in Arizona on business and it is not known when he will arrive in Galena.

The death of Mr. Kelly was a great shock to his many friends. He had been ill for only a short time and it was not known that his condition was serious.

The deceased was born in Ireland on Sept. 5th, 1846, emigrating to this country with his parents when only 6 years of age. The family settled in Seneca Falls, N. Y., but in 1868 Mr. Kelly came to Galena and has been a resident of this community since that time.

On May 3rd, 1869, he was united in marriage with Bridget Tierney, who survives him with the following children: Frank M., Edmund P., William L. and Mrs. D. A. Callahan of Chicago and John J., and Mary C. at home. Two daughters, Anna and Catherine, preceded him to the grave.

In 1889 when it was decided to construct the Galena river locks, Mr. Kelly was placed in charge of the work and after their construction was appointed as lockmaster which position he occupied up to the time of his death.

The deceased was a devout member of St. Michael's Catholic church and was a charter member of Galena Council Knights of Columbus.


Galena Daily Gazette
25 February 1918

Funeral of Patrick Kelly

Services Held at St. Michael's Church Sunday Afternoon

The funeral of the late Patrick Kelly was held Sunday afternoon at St. Michael's Catholic church at three o'clock, Rev. Fr. J. E. Shannahan officiating. The members of the Knights of Columbus of which Mr. Kelly was a charter member attended in a body and acted as an escort. The active pall bearers were M. J. Burns, M. H. Cleary, John Cloran, Andrew Ivory, Frank J. Desmond and J. T. Slattery. The honorary bearers were H. Strohmeyer, Joseph Ward, William Smith, John Eberhart, F. Hart and H. Conoughy. Interment was made in St. Michael's cemetery in East Galena.

The attendance at the funeral yesterday was one of the largest that has been held in this church for some time as Mr. Kelly was well known and had many friends.


Submitted by Tim Doser