John Robert Kelly (26 September 1849 – 1 September 1919) was a farmer and politician in colonial South Australia who later ran a farm in Queensland.

He was born near Yankalilla the eldest son of Robert (1823 – 17 May 1893) and Mary Ann Kelly, née Clarke, ( – 14 May 1893) who left London on the John Woodhall, arriving in South Australia in January 1849. They farmed at "Cornhill", Bald Hills near Yankalilla. John took over the farm when his parents retired to Knightsbridge.

He represented the electorate of Encounter Bay in the South Australian House of Assembly from April 1890 to April 1896,[1] as an associate of Henry Downer. His cousins Hugh Craine Kelly and Robert Kelly represented Wooroora from April 1890 to January 1891 and February 1891 to April 1893 respectively.

He moved to Oakey on the Darling Downs, Queensland, where he ran a substantial farm, and was appointed a magistrate there in 1899.[2] He actively supported Federation[3] and was prominent in farmers' organizations.[4] He was a founder, with W. Kent, of the Queensland Farmers' Union,[5] and founded a land agency in 1912 with Edward Gore (c. 1877–1935). Kelly retired a few years later, but the company Edward Gore & Co. prospered.[6]

Family

Robert Kelly (1823 – 17 May 1893) married Mary Ann Clarke ( – 14 May 1893) before leaving for South Australia. They died within four days of each other. Their family included:

  • John Algar "Jack" Kelly (c. April 1882 – 9 May 1916) fought in Egypt during World War I, died there of pneumonia.[7] He was buried in Egypt.
  • Florence Mary Cornish (c. 1877 – 15 July 1937)[9] married L. J. Leverington ( – ) on 6 January 1902

References

  1. ^ "John Robert Kelly". Former members of the Parliament of South Australia. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  2. ^ "New Magistrates". The Week. 20 January 1899. p. 20. Retrieved 8 October 2015 – via Trove.
  3. ^ "Federal Meetings". Darling Downs Gazette. 14 August 1899. p. 3. Retrieved 8 October 2015 – via Trove.
  4. ^ "Chamber of Agriculture". Darling Downs Gazette. 2 December 1909. p. 7. Retrieved 8 October 2015 – via Trove.
  5. ^ "Personal". Darling Downs Gazette. 5 September 1919. p. 4. Retrieved 8 October 2015 – via Trove.
  6. ^ "Obituary". The Courier-Mail. 2 May 1935. p. 4. Retrieved 8 October 2015 – via Trove.
  7. ^ "Roll of Honour". Darling Downs Gazette. 26 May 1916. p. 5. Retrieved 8 October 2015 – via Trove.
  8. ^ "Obituary". The Advertiser. 10 October 1923. p. 12. Retrieved 7 October 2015 – via Trove.
  9. ^ "Obituary". The Advertiser. 7 August 1937. p. 14. Retrieved 7 October 2015 – via Trove.
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