Biography - M. F. Kelley
DR. M. F. KELLEY was born in Washington county, Virginia, on the 2d of
January, 1814. He was the fourth child of James and Mary Kelley, who had a
family of nine children. James Kelley was also a native of the above county,
and in 1816 he was married to Nancy Smith. Their ancestors were
Scotch-Irish, and were among the first pioneers of the "Old Dominion." Mrs.
Kelley died in 1858, and her husband survived her death until 1863. During
life, Mr. K.'s occupation was that of a farmer.
Dr. Kelley received his early education in the schools of his native state
and Tennessee, attaining a sound knowledge of the English branches; and when
about twenty-four years of age he commenced the study of medicine with Dr.
Nixon Snead, of Washington county, Virginia. He subsequently attended
lectures at the medical department of Transylvania University, Kentucky, and
after completing the course of study, located in the practice of his
profession in Greene county, Illinois. He first settled in Carrollton, where
he resided one year, and while there was married to Miss Jane E. Vigus,
daughter of G. W. Vigus, and old resident of this county. From Carrollton
the Doctor moved to Madison county, where he spent two years, and, after
changing his location twice more, finally made a permanent settlement in
Woodville, where he has continued to reside. Dr. Kelley and wife have had
fourteen children, of whom only five are now living.
In early life Dr. Kelley became a supporter of the principles of the
democratic party, and in 1870 he was elected to the office of justice of the
peace. The Doctor is known as a genial, intelligent gentleman, and devotedly
attached to his profession. Among the older practitioners of the county, he
takes an honorable rank.
Extracted 07 Sep 2018 by Norma Hass from Atlas Map of Greene County Illinois, 1873, page 50.
