Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Portrait and biographical record of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago - 1893 Page 136-137 WILLIAM D. KELLY. It is the men of broad and comprehensive views who give life to communities and build cities - men who in the darkness of adverse circumstances as well as in more favorable periods look beyond the clouds and have the pluck and energy and foresight to push forward their enterprises, extend speculation and fairly wrest success from calamity. Just such a man is WILLIAM D. KELLY, who is the efficient Secretary and Treasurer of KELLY Bros.' Manufacturing Company. He is a native of Michigan, born in Grand Rapids May 15, 1858, and the son of DANIEL and MARY (CLANCY) KELLY, both natives of Ireland. DANIEL KELLY, father of the brothers from whom the company takes its name, removed from Grand Rapids to Muskegon in 1865. He had encouraged the genius of his sons from their earliest efforts, and when this firm was formed became the senior partner. Success achieved by honest industry is proverbial among Muskegon manu- facturers, and the enterprise of the KELLY brothers is a conspic- uous example of this fact. In the schools of Muskegon our subject received a good practical education, and besides learning the cabinet-maker's trade he also learned that of ship-building. In fact, he has proven himself a genius with tools. His designs are original and of the most unique character, and no man in Michigan possesses rarer qualities in that direction. He does all the de- signing for the extensive works of KELLY Bros. In schoolboy days, being ambitious to help themselves, WILLIAM D. and his brother JOHN built a small ferry-boat to run on Muskegon Lake, one acting as captain and the other taking charge of the en- gine. The venture proved a success, and from their earnings they were able to build a larger and better boat and finally to launch in their business career as manufacturers. In 1883 they organized the KELLY Bros.' Manufacturing Company with a capital stock of $40,000, but have increased it to $60,000. To-day they have an extensive manufactory in Muskegon Heights and give employment to one hundred and fifty men. Their two-story brick building has two hundred and sixty-six feet front on McKinney Avenue, extending back one hundred and fifty feet, giving a floor space of fifty thousand feet. Their specialty is fine interior decoration and interior finish. They make all the cases for the LYON & HEALY Organ Company of Chicago, and the Rigway Refrigerators of Philadelphia, and have filled numerous extensive contracts for inside finishing, among which may be mentioned the HACKLEY Library and many elegant resi- dences in Muskegon, the Cuyahoga Building in Cleveland, and the recent fitting of the immense refrigerators in the Hotel Lexing- ton and Hotel Plaza in Chicago. Their lumber sheds and dry-kilns are extensive and thoroughly equipped. A one hundred and forty horse power Corliss engine furnishes power for the works, and a one hundred and fifty incandescent electric light plant is main- tained for illuminating. ===========================================================================