California Biographies

Source:
History of Napa and Lake Counties
San Francisco, Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers. 1881

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011

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


LUKE KELLY.  The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in County 
Roscommon, near Dublin, Ireland, in March 1831, and is the son of Frank and Mary Egan Kelly. He 
resided at his birthplace until he was eight years of age, when he, with his parents, came to America, 
locating in New London, Connecticut, where he resided, with the exception of an eight months' 
residence in Rhode Island, until his coming to California. When he was about ten or twelve years of 
age he went to work for Alberson, a foundryman in New London. After working for him some time he 
was engaged with J. N. Harrison, of "Pain Killer" fame, who was also a hardware merchant for one 
year. He then became chore and bell boy in the City Hotel in New London, for one year. He then 
served an apprenticeship with a Mr. Gillett, for three years at the brick-layer and plasterer's trade. In 
September, 1853, Mr. Kelly sailed from New York on board the steamer "Golden Gate" to Nicaragua, 
and on the Pacific side he took passage on the steamer "Sierra Nevada," arriving in San Francisco 
October 15th of that year. He immediately began plying his trade, working first on the Marine Hospital, 
and continued to work at his trade for one year in different parts of the city. In 1854 he went to 
Stockton, and worked on the Insane Asylum for a while; he then worked for Captain Webber in the 
gardening business, and then for Timothy Page in a flouring mill In the spring of 1856 he began working 
for I. D. Hamilton in a hotel on the Sonora road, twelve miles from Stockton. In 1857 he leased this 
hotel and began business for himself, and at the end of one year purchased the property. He 
remained here for six years, and during that time purchased the hotel in Copperopolis, and run that 
property for one year. He then sold out, and in the meantime leased the Copperopolis Hotel and ran it 
three years. He then leased the property and purchased the furniture of the Webber House in 
Stockton. At the end of two years he returned to Copperopolis and took possession of that hotel, 
where he remained until that place was destroyed by fire. In 1866 he moved to San Francisco and 
began the livery business on Kearny street, on the present site of the White House. At the end of two 
years he moved to Market street and erected the Charter Oak Stables, near Fourth and Market He 
remained there for one year, when he went to Santa Rosa and engaged in the hotel business again, 
having charge of the Kessing and Grand Hotels. He continued there until March, 1875, when he came 
to Napa City and opened the Palace Hotel, where he has since remained. Mr. Kelly was united in 
marriage with Miss Bridget Mullen, and their children are, Kittie, William, and Thomas.