Percy R. Kelly

Percy Kelly was born on July 13, 1870, in Arlington, Iowa, to C.C. Kelly and the former Mary Whipple.[1] After receiving his primary education in the local school of Iowa, California, and Oregon he attended Albany College in Albany, Oregon, where he graduated in 1887.[1] After graduation he then read law under future Oregon Supreme Court justice Charles E. Wolverton and joined the bar in 1892.[1]

After passing the bar, Kelly began practicing law in Albany.[1] Beginning in 1894 he was a deputy district attorney, serving until 1900.[1] Then in 1898 he was elected as a Republican to the state house representing Linn County, for a special session.[2] Beginning with following legislature he served in the state senate for two sessions.[3] After this he served as Albany’s city attorney in 1909 and then became a state circuit court judge serving from 1911 until 1930.[1]

On September 24, 1930, Kelly was appointed by Oregon Governor A. W. Norblad to replace justice Thomas A. McBride on the Oregon Supreme Court after McBride died in office.[4][5] Percy then won a full six-year term in 1930’s election, and re-election in 1936, 1942, and finally in 1948.[4] While on the court he served as chief justice from 1941 to 1943, and then died in office on June 14, 1949.[4]

Percy Kelly married in 1910 to Margaret Dawson Gillette.[1]