Edward A. Kelly

Edward Austin Kelly (April 3, 1892 – August 30, 1969) was an American businessman and politician from Chicago, Illinois. A Democrat, he was most notable for his service in the United States House of Representatives from 1931 to 1943 and 1945 to 1947.

Edward A. Kelly
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 3rd district
In office
January 3, 1945 – January 3, 1947
Preceded byFred E. Busbey
Succeeded byFred E. Busbey
In office
March 4, 1931 – January 3, 1943
Preceded byElliott W. Sproul
Succeeded byFred E. Busbey
Personal details
Born(1892-04-03)April 3, 1892
Chicago, Illinois
DiedAugust 30, 1969(1969-08-30) (aged 77)
Chicago, Illinois
Resting placeSaint Mary Catholic Cemetery, Evergreen Park, Illinois
Political partyDemocratic

Biography

Kelly was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 3, 1892, the son of John J. and Nellie (O'Connor) Kelly.[1] He attended the public schools of Chicago, including Longfellow School and Lake High School.[2] In 1911, Kelly graduated from Orr's Business College in Chicago.[2] He played semi-professional baseball for teams in Chicago, Normal, Lemont, Aurora, and DeKalb from 1912 to 1916.[3]

From 1916 to 1920, Kelly was employed as an accountant with the Illinois Steel Corporation.[2] During World War I he served in the Battery D, 332nd Field Artillery Regiment, a unit of the 86th Division.[1][4] He was in the United States Army from 1917 to 1919 and attained the rank of sergeant.[4] After his military service, Kelly engaged in the real estate and insurance businesses as the owner and operator of E. A. Kelly Co.[2]

A Democrat, Kelly became active in local politics and was elected president of the 32nd Ward Democratic Association.[2] In 1930, Kelly was elected to the United States House of Representatives.[2] He was reelected five times, and served from March 4, 1931, to January 3, 1943.[2] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1942.[1] After leaving Congress, Kelly worked as executive assistant to the chief justice of the Chicago municipal court and served as a member of the Chicago Planning Commission.[5]

In 1944, Kelly was again elected to Congress.[5] He served one term, January 3, 1945, to January 3, 1947.[5] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1946.[5] After the end of his final term, Kelly returned to the real estate business.[5]

Kelly's grave at Saint Mary Catholic Cemetery

Kelly died in Chicago on August 30, 1969.[5] He was interred at Saint Mary Catholic Cemetery in Evergreen Park, Illinois.[5]

Family

In 1922, Kelly married RoseMay R. Eulert.[5] They were married until his death in 1969.[5] They were the parents of two sons and a daughter—Edward A. Kelly Jr., Robert J. Kelly, and Rosemary.[2]

References
  1. Biographical Press (1947). Who's Who In Illinois. Vol. 1. Chicago, IL: Larkin, Roosevelt & Larkin, Ltd. p. 771 – via Internet Archive.
  2. US Congress (1946). Official Congressional Directory: 79th Congress. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 26 – via Google Books.
  3. "Edward A. Kelly, Democratic Candidate for Congress". The Lemont Optimist-News. Lemont, IL. April 3, 1930. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Little, John G. Jr. (1921). The Official History of the Eighty-Sixth Division. Chicago, IL: State Publications Society. p. 251 – via Google Books.
  5. U.S. Congress (2005). Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-2005. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 1367. ISBN 978-0-16-073176-1 – via Google Books.


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