RICHARD CONLAY KENNELLEY.
RICHARD CONLAY KENNELLEY, the popular Sheriff of Guthrie county, Iowa, is a native of the Keystone State, born in Mifflin county on the 6th of April, 1845, to Alex and Rosanna (Conlay) Kennelley, both of Irish lineage. The parents also were born in Mifflin county, where they passed away, the father in 1882, at the age of seventy-three years, and the mother in 1892, at the age of eighty-one. Of the nine children born to them only three now survive, namely: John, the eldest of the family, lives in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, and is filling the position occupied by his father until his death, -- that of repairing the turnpike and keeping the toll-gate; Daniel is a farmer and carpenter of Clarion county, Pennsylvania; and Richard Conlay completes the list of those living. Mary Jane, Sarah Elizabeth and Doubaline are all deceased; Samuel, who was a Lieutenant in the One Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania Regiment, died from the effects of service; Alexander, who was an invalid all his life, died at the age of twenty-six; and James J. died at the age of nineteen years. Daniel was also a soldier during the Civil War.
Mr. Kennelley, whose name introduces this review, learned the ax-maker's trade, at which he worked for about four years. He was thus employed when his brother John was drafted for service in the Civil war, when our subject, recognizing that he could be spared more easily than his married brother, promptly offered himself as a substitute. He became a member of Company K, Two Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Infantry, serving with the Ninth Army Corps under General B. F. Butler. He was stationed in the vicinity of Petersburg and at Bermuda Hundred, and participated in the battle of Fort Steadman and Petersburg, where he received a severe wound in the head, in consequence of which he was unconscious for three days, but finally recovered. He was unable, however, for further military service, and as his term of service was for one year he was mustered out in June, 1865. He witnessed the grand review of the armies at Washington after the close of the war. On account of the injuries sustained, he now receives a small pension.
Soon after returning home, Mr. Kennelley went to Clinton county, Pennsylvania, where he resumed work in an ax factory located at Lock Haven, but being unable to stand the work in the shops he decided to come West, reaching Stewart [sic Stuart], Guthrie county, Iowa, in 1880. There he served for nine years as City Marshal, holding that position at the time of his election to the office of Sherfiff in 1893, and was renominated by acclamation for a second term on the 15th of June, 1895. The county being strongly Republican, a nomination by that party is almost equivalent to an election. As a public official he gives general satisfaction, and as a citizen is held in the highest regard.
In his native State, in 1866, Mr. Kennelley was united in marriage with Miss Catherine E. Trevilyan, also born in Pennsylvania. Her father was a native of England, while her mother's birth occurred in the Keystone State. Mr. and Mrs. Kennelley have one son, William A., who was born January 16, 1868, and married Miss Maggie McKay, a native of Illinois, whose parents now reside at Atlantic, Iowa. One child has been born of this union, -- Richard Hugh, -- who is now eighteen months old.
Mr. Kennelley is identified with several civic societies, being a member of the Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Grand Army of the Republic, the first and last of which he joined in Pennsylvania. He has served as Past Chancellor Commander of Lincoln Lodge, No. 59, K. of P.; Past Commander of Maxwell Post, No. 14, G. A. R.; and Past Master Workman of the A. O. U. W. Religiously, himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
From A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Volume II, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1896, pp. 830-831. Transcribed July, 2015 by Cheryl Siebrass.
