William Kelly, born in county Down, Ireland, died in Bloomfield, New Jersey. When a lad of fourteen he came to the United States and settled in Essex county, New Jersey, in that part of Bloomfield now called Montclair. Here he lived the remainder of his life, pursuing farming and working at his trade of cooper. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. He married Nancy Crawford, whose father served in the war of the revolution. Children: Margaret, Phoebe, Hannah, Joseph Smith and Edward.
(II) Joseph Smith, eldest son of William and Nancy (Crawford) Kelly, was born in Bloomfield, New Jersey, September 28, 1829, died February 11, 1860. He learned the hatting business, and became a manufacturer. He located his shops in Jersey City, and was one of the early manufacturers of silk hats, a business in which he was interested throughout his life. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and a Republican in politics. He married, in Jersey City, New Jersey, June 6, 1846, Mary Elizabeth, died June, 1896, aged sixty-eight years, daughter of John and Freelove (Hulse) Furman. Children:
- John Edward, born July 26, 1847; now living in Seattle, Washington. He married in Newark, New Jersey, June 26, 1873, Charlotte E. Anderson, and has ten children.
- Mary Josephine, June 21, 1850, died February 26, 1858.
- Anna Whitman, August 14, 1852, died April 5, 1857.
- William Nelson, see forward.
- Charlotte Meeker, married Isaac Henry Boovie, November 19, 1880, a farmer of Rensselaer county, near Hoosick Falls; children: Mary K. and Anna Allen.
- Joseph Smith (2), August 19, 1859, died January 8, 1860.
(III) William Nelson, son of Joseph Smith and Mary Elizabeth (Furman) Kelly, was born October 25, 1854. He was educated in the public and private schools of Brooklyn, Patchogue and Waterford, New York. He began his business life as a clerk in his brother's dry goods store in Waterford, where he remained six years. In 1875 he removed to Hoosick Falls, where he was employed in a confectionery store for one year, and was with the Walter A. Wood Company for three years, and in the grocery business one year. He then became interested in the manufacture of paints. His first factory, which he operated for five years, he built at Hoosick Falls. He then built a factory at White Creek, which was destroyed by fire. His present factory is located at North Hoosick, and is in successful operation. In 1909 he became interested in the marble quarries near Hoosick, where he is now promoting. In 1876 Mr. Kelly invented a perfecting printing press, which was patented and placed upon the market. He is also the inventor of a rock drill which is in successful use at his quarries. He is an independent Republican in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian church. He is unmarried.