Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... 
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File contributed for use by:
Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn

Author: History of Will County, Illinois; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.

Thomas J. KELLY, dry goods; born in Ireland, and emigrated when quite young to America, landing 
in New York Jan. 8, 1848; on account of IL health he remained with his uncle, the Rev. John 
KELLY, in Jersey City, for one year, he then came West, locating in Joliet May 11, 1849; he 
then lived upon his father's farm until 1854, when he entered the College of Notre Dame, South 
Bend, Ind., remaining here until February, 1856, when, on account of IL health, he went East, 
remaining with his uncle, Eugene KELLY, in New York City, one year, when he went to St. Mary's 
College, Wilmington, Del., where he remained two years, then one year at the College of the 
Holy Cross, near Montreal, Canada; he then returned to Joliet, and remained upon his father's 
farm until 1867, when he engaged in the above business, which he has since successfully 
followed, being the oldest continuous dry goods house in Joliet; during the period from 1868 
to 1876, his junior brother was associated with him; at the latter date, he purchased his 
brother's interest, since which time he has continued the business alone. He married Sept. 
10, 1868, to Mary, eldest daughter of Patrick FITZPATRICK of Lockport, IL; her parents were 
among, the very early settlers of Will Co., settling in the county before the formation of 
Will Co., upward of forty years ago. Mr. KELLY is a nephew of Eugene KELLY of New York City, 
who is today the wealthiest Catholic banker in the United States; he is also a relative of 
John KELLY the celebrated Tammany sachem, of New York City.