Lassen County Biographies

John D. Kelley

Transcribed by Craig Hahn, Nov. 2004

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


 
He was born in Johnson county, Indiana, February 20, 1826. He went to Iowa in 
1841, where he worked at blacksmithing. In 1846 he returned to Indiana, and in 
1849 he sailed from New York for San Francisco, via Panama, arriving January 9, 
1850. He assisted in laying out Nevada City. Here he was married October 3, 
1853, to Mrs. Mary A. (Thrall) Minckler, born in Farifield county, Connecticut, 
September 17, 1829. That fall he went to Smith�s Flat, Sierra county, bought a 
hotel, and kept it four years. He then worked at blacksmithing. All this time he 
was interested in mining, and did some work in the mines himself. In the spring 
of 1860 he mined in Virginia City a short time, then went to Carson City for six 
months, and then teamed two years in Washoe valley. In the winter of 1863 he 
took stock to Honey Lake valley, and located the ranch now owned by A. Dill. In 
the spring of 1871 he sold it and removed to Dixie valley, and located a stock 
ranch which he sold out about a year later. He then bought 1,200 acres from 
French & Litch, twenty miles east of Susanville. It is chiefly hay and 
agricultural land, well improved. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at 
Susanville, and Odd Fellows at Janesville. In politics, he is a democrat. His 
son, Elburn C. Kelley was born at Smith�s Flat, June 30, 1854, the first white 
child born at that place. He was drowned in Honey lake July 8, 1864. 
 
Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties, with California from 
1513 to 1850. � Fariss and Smith, San Francisco,  1882. p 408-409