Harrison Kelley papers

Biographical sketch: Civil War Union officer, public official, U.S. representative from Kansas 1889-1891 (Republican). Of Burlington, Topeka, Lansing, Kan.

Abstract: The Harrison Kelley papers consist primarily of correspondence files concerning both personal and business related matters. The correspondence documents his career as a United States representative and includes several congratulatory letters from friends and colleagues. Also included is correspondence and deeds documenting his tenure as receiver of public monies for the United States land office in Topeka, Kan. Also included are speeches, account books, and correspondence concerning the Ottumwa Literary Society. The collection contains morning reports of Kelley documenting his service in the United States Army. The reports provide daily statistics on soldiers from Company B, 5th Kansas Calvary, as well as the Ambulance Corps of the Third Division. The reports list the date and numbers reporting for duty, special duty, extra duty, numbers sick, or arrested, as well as the number of horses. The morning reports are dated 1863-1864.

Biog. Sketch (Full): Harrison Kelley was a United States representative from Kansas. Born in Montgomery Township, Ohio, Kelley attended the common schools. He moved to Coffey County, Kansas, in March 1858. During the Civil War he enlisted in the 5th Regiment, Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, and served through all grades to captain. He served as captain of Company B, 5th Cavalry, for over two years. He returned to Burlington, Kansas, in 1865. He became brigadier general of Kansas State Militia in 1865. He served as member of the State House of Representatives 1868-1870. He served as director of the State Penitentiary 1868-1873. He was receiver of the United States land office at Topeka, Kansas, in 1877 and 1878. He served in the State Senate 1880-1884. He was deputy collector of internal revenue. He served as chairman of the Livestock Sanitary Commission of the State. He was treasurer of the State Board of Charities in 1889.

Kelley was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-first Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Thomas Ryan and served from December 2, 1889, to March 3, 1891. He died in Burlington, Kansas, July 24, 1897. He was interred in Bowman Cemetery, Ottumwa, near Burlington, Kansas.

[United States Congress. "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress." http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=K000059 (accessed December 21, 2009).]

Related materials: Harry E. Kelley papers, manuscript collection 409