Kit Carson County, Colorado
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Kit Carson County Pioneers:
George W. Kelly, 7 South 50 West
George cash-claimed a quarter in section 17, 7S 50W in 1891. His was the only claim before 1896 in that section or the eight sections surrounding it.
(There could have been other settlers in 1891 who didn't prove up a claim.)
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"GEORGE WASHINGTON KELLY, b. May 05, 1868, Armington, Tazewell, Illinois; d. December 08, 1947, Cambridge Farm, Frontier Co. Nebraska; m. CARRIE LAMB, March 07, 1894."
George W. Kelly is in Frontier County, Nebraska in 1900, born May 1868 in Illinois, with Carrie March 1878 Iowa, married six years. L. J. 5, Abner D. 3, and Harley E. 2 were born in Nebraska. Carrie's brother Thomas Lamb 20 and her uncle John Lamb 53 are with them.
George W. Kelly 1868-1947 is buried in Cambridge, Nebraska, with Carrie 1873-1966.
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MAJOR GEORGE W. KELLY is a prominent man among the early settlers of Holt County, Missouri. He was born near Union, Monroe County, Virginia, on the 26th of July, 1824. His parents, John W. and Mary (Stuart) Kelly, were both natives of Virginia. George accompanied them to the White Sulphur Springs and then to Lewisburg, Virginia, in 1835, where he remained until November, 1840. His father edited the Western Enquirer, and George worked in the office and learned the printing business. In the fall of 1840 he came westward with his parents, stopping a short time in Lafayette County, Missouri. The elder Kelly traveled through to Holt County to view the country, returned, and in January, 1841, he and his son George came up and erected a cabin in what is now known as Nichols’ Grove; where they took claims. The family followed during the succeeding March. John W. Kelly, being a lawyer, moved to Oregon and hung out his shingle. He was appointed commissioner to purchase the town site, and was the first lawyer enrolled in the county. He filled the position of county judge for several terms, and also represented the county several terms in the Legislature. He was nominated for lieutenant governor, on the Thomas Benton ticket, but was defeated. He died the 26th of September, 1868. George received a fair education, and attended the first school taught in the county. He read law to some extent with his father, and while in Virginia, he had studied Latin and Greek. Upon arriving at maturity he engaged in trading, and served several terms as deputy sheriff of Holt County. During the Mexican war, in 1847, he enlisted in Craig’s company, Lieutenant Colonel Powell’s battalion of mounted Missourians. This company was made up in Holt and Atchison Counties. They were ordered out on the plains – started for Oregon Territory; they built Fort Kearney, and remained a short time at Fort Laramie, and made an expedition into the Sioux country. They were discharged in November, 1848, after which he returned to Holt County, Missouri. In the spring of 1850 the subject of this sketch started overland for California, leaving Oregon on the 14th of April, and arriving in Sacramento City the 3rd of July. He went by the northern route from Humboldt north through the southern part of Oregon, having missed the shorter route. After remaining one year in California, he returned by the Isthmus and New Orleans, and then to Holt County. He was engaged as deputy sheriff and also in dealing in land and stock. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Kimball’s regiment, Missouri Volunteer Militia, and held the position of major of cavalry in this regiment. In March, 1862, he re-enlisted as major of the Fourth Regiment Missouri State Militia Volunteers, and served with his regiment three years, or until the close of the war, having acted in Southern Missouri and Arkansas. He assisted in driving General Shelby out of Missouri in 1863, and General Price in 1864. He was the only field officer on the battle field at Little Blue, his regiment losing forty-eight men in this encounter. He rode across the creek at the head of his regiment, under the enemy’s fire. His horse was shot twice, and Captain Blair, one of his best captains, was killed. He commanded the right wing. They took part in the battle of Mine Run, Kansas, where they captured 800 prisoners and ten loaded pieces of artillery. At the close of the war Major K. returned to Holt County, and has since made this his home, with the exception of six months spent in Kansas City, and one year at St. Joseph. He commenced the hotel business in Oregon in 1875, and in August, 1877, the hotel burned. In November, of that year, he came to Forest City and conducted the Brady House two years and four months. Since then he has retired from active life. He has never been a member of any secret society, nor has he ever drank any liquor. He was married January 10, 1847, to Miss Alvira H. Davis, a native of Ohio. She died at Forest City, November 2, 1879. She was an active member of the M.E. Church.
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October 30, 1891 Goodland Kansas 
March 11, 1892 Goodland, Kansas "Born to Engineer George Kelly and wife a son, on Sunday March 6."
1899 "Engineer Goerge Kelly was out to Colorado Springs Saturday on a business visit."
April 1900 Goodland Kansas "Engine 803,
Engineer George, Kelly, is in the shops for light repairs."
June 8, 1900 Goodland Kansas "Engineer George Kelly and wife returned from Milwaukee Sunday morning where Mr. Kelly as a delegate, attended the engineers' convention.
He says that the delegates expressed themselves as well stisfied with the treatment they received at the hands of the people of Milwaukee, and declared that this has been one of the most successful conventions, from a business point of view, that has ever been held by the Brotherhood."
The convention began its sessions May 9, and adjourned May 31.
He was mentioned in the Goodland, Kansas newspaper in 1901.
June 20, 1902 "Mrs. George Kelly was at Denver last week to attend the commencement of Loretta Heights academy, where her daughter, Miss Vinta Kelly, is a student."
July 1904 "Engineer George Kelly, with engine 1322, Wednesday pulled train No. 43, five coaches, from Phillipsburg to Goodland, 140 miles, in 138 minutes; making up 57 minutes and arriving on time, 3:55 p.m. in Goodland.
Coming west, water is generally taken at Jennings, but he pulled to Colby, the next watering place.
From Phillipsburg to Jennings, Kelly made 59 miles in 54 minutes. The whole run was made on an average of a little more than a mile a minute, and on an up grade..."
In 1910 Goodland, Geroge is 57, born in MIchigan, married 23 years to
Kate 47 Kentucky. Ventia 23, George L. 19 a laborer, Walter 18 a grocery store clerk, Harry 14, and Reginald 7, were all born in Kansas.
George was mayor of Goodland in the 1930 census.
IF ANYONE HAS INFORMATION ON THE KIT CARSON CLAIMANT, PLEASE LET US KNOW.
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