U.S. Senator. He graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1839, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1842 and commenced the practice law in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. He was deputy attorney general for Mifflin County until 1849, moved to Oregon Territory in 1851, settled in Portland and engaged in the practice of law. He was one of three commissioners for the codification of the territorial laws in 1852 and president of the Territorial Legislature (1853-57). In addition, he was Lieutenant Colonel of the 1st Regiment, Oregon Mounted Volunteers, in the Yakima Indian War (1855-56) and a member of the Oregon State Senate (1860-64). In 1871, he was elected as a Democrat to the U.S. Senate, serving until 1877. Not a candidate for reelection, he was chief justice of the Oregon State Supreme Court (1878-82) and practiced law. Returning to Washington, D.C. in 1890, he continued the practice of law until his death.
U.S. Senator. He graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1839, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1842 and commenced the practice law in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. He was deputy attorney general for Mifflin County until 1849, moved to Oregon Territory in 1851, settled in Portland and engaged in the practice of law. He was one of three commissioners for the codification of the territorial laws in 1852 and president of the Territorial Legislature (1853-57). In addition, he was Lieutenant Colonel of the 1st Regiment, Oregon Mounted Volunteers, in the Yakima Indian War (1855-56) and a member of the Oregon State Senate (1860-64). In 1871, he was elected as a Democrat to the U.S. Senate, serving until 1877. Not a candidate for reelection, he was chief justice of the Oregon State Supreme Court (1878-82) and practiced law. Returning to Washington, D.C. in 1890, he continued the practice of law until his death.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Kelly memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
