Family Group Sheet
NameWilliam Arthur “Oscar” Kelly
Birth18 Apr 1869, Elliott Co., Kentucky
Death9 Oct 1943, Rowan Co., Kentucky
BurialBrown Cemetery, Rowan Co., Kentucky
FatherJohn Jackson Kelley (1830-1917)
MotherNancy Belle Whitt (1832-1891)
Marriage25 Dec 1893, Rowan Co., Kentucky
SpouseSarah Belle Pelfrey
Birth27 Oct 1877, Rowan Co., Kentucky
Death31 Mar 1965, Rowan Co., Kentucky
BurialBrown Cemetery, Rowan Co., Kentucky
FatherWilliam McNeal Pelfrey (1843-1920)
MotherSabrina Barnett (~1848-)
Children
BirthDec 1894, Rowan Co., Kentucky
SpouseBessie G. Jones
SpouseRoscoe Tackett
Notes for William Arthur “Oscar” Kelly
His middle initial appears in records as both O and A, and his middle name appears as Oscar, Arthur and Austin (the latter only on his gravestone.) It is unlikely that he had three given names, though. Arthur and Oscar are often used interchangeably in Kentucky, perhaps because the local dialect pronounces Arthur like Auther.
His death certificate records William Arthur Kelly, age 71 years 6 months 8 days, born 18 April 1872 in Rowan Co., Ky, died 9 Oct 1943 in Rowan Co., Ky, married, husband of Sarah Bell Kelly, age 65, retired farmer, father John Kelly, mother’s maiden name Nancy Whitt, both born in Ky, cause of death hypertensive heart disease with cerebral hemorrhage, informant John Kelly, Morehead, Ky.
His gravestone is inscribed William Austin Kelly, April 18, 1872 - Oct 9, 1943.
The 1872 birthdate is almost certainly incorrect, since he was recorded in the 1870 census as age 11 months and in the 1880 census as age 10. (It is possible that the son William O. listed in the 1870 census died as an infant, and the family reused the name for their next child, but it is very unlikely.)
His death certificate records William Arthur Kelly, age 71 years 6 months 8 days, born 18 April 1872 in Rowan Co., Ky, died 9 Oct 1943 in Rowan Co., Ky, married, husband of Sarah Bell Kelly, age 65, retired farmer, father John Kelly, mother’s maiden name Nancy Whitt, both born in Ky, cause of death hypertensive heart disease with cerebral hemorrhage, informant John Kelly, Morehead, Ky.
His gravestone is inscribed William Austin Kelly, April 18, 1872 - Oct 9, 1943.
The 1872 birthdate is almost certainly incorrect, since he was recorded in the 1870 census as age 11 months and in the 1880 census as age 10. (It is possible that the son William O. listed in the 1870 census died as an infant, and the family reused the name for their next child, but it is very unlikely.)
Notes for Sarah Belle Pelfrey
The Kentucky death index lists Sarah B. Kelly, age 87, died 31 Mar 1965 in Rowan Co., residence same.
Notes for William Arthur “Oscar” & Sarah Belle (Family)
Rowan Co., Ky marriage register A, p. 82, records the marriage on 25 Dec 1893 of W. A. Kelly and Sarah B. Pelfrey.
Census
1900 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Morehead precinct, enumerated 11 June, lists on p. 7B as family #142:
Kelley, Wm A., 28, b. May 1872, laborer on R.R. section; Belle, wife, 23, b. Oct 1876, married 8 years, mother of 3 children, 1 living; John S., son, 5, b. Dec 1894. All born Ky Ky Ky.
1910 census of Carter Co., Ky, Olive Hill precinct, enumerated 5 May, lists on p. 16B as family #242:
Kelley, William, 32, b. Ky NC Ky, laborer in brick yard; Belle, wife, 32, b. Ky Ky Ky, first marriage for both, married 18 years, mother of 6 children, 3 living; John S., son, 15; Clifford, son, 7; Mary E., dau, 5. All children born Ky Ky Ky.
The age for William is very off. The next household is headed by his nephew Ballard Kelley, son of Richard.
1920 census of Carter Co., Ky, Upper Tygart precinct, enumerated 26 Jan, lists on p. 11B as family #188:
Kelly, Oscar, 47, farmer, b. Ky S.C. Ky; Sarah B., wife, 43; Clifford, son, 17; Mary, dau, 14; Bessie, 17, dau-in-law; Tackett, Rosco, son-in-law, 16. All except Oscar born Ky Ky Ky.
Everyone in the household is recorded as married. Bessie is Clifford’s wife, and Mary is Roscoe’s (she should be recorded as a Tackett.)
1930 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Haldeman precinct, enumerated 17 April, lists on p. 5A as family #76:
Kelley, Auscar, 55, age at first marriage 23, presser in brick yard; Sarah, wife, 52, age at first marriage 16; Cathline, granddau, 9. All born Ky Ky Ky.
Kelley, Wm A., 28, b. May 1872, laborer on R.R. section; Belle, wife, 23, b. Oct 1876, married 8 years, mother of 3 children, 1 living; John S., son, 5, b. Dec 1894. All born Ky Ky Ky.
1910 census of Carter Co., Ky, Olive Hill precinct, enumerated 5 May, lists on p. 16B as family #242:
Kelley, William, 32, b. Ky NC Ky, laborer in brick yard; Belle, wife, 32, b. Ky Ky Ky, first marriage for both, married 18 years, mother of 6 children, 3 living; John S., son, 15; Clifford, son, 7; Mary E., dau, 5. All children born Ky Ky Ky.
The age for William is very off. The next household is headed by his nephew Ballard Kelley, son of Richard.
1920 census of Carter Co., Ky, Upper Tygart precinct, enumerated 26 Jan, lists on p. 11B as family #188:
Kelly, Oscar, 47, farmer, b. Ky S.C. Ky; Sarah B., wife, 43; Clifford, son, 17; Mary, dau, 14; Bessie, 17, dau-in-law; Tackett, Rosco, son-in-law, 16. All except Oscar born Ky Ky Ky.
Everyone in the household is recorded as married. Bessie is Clifford’s wife, and Mary is Roscoe’s (she should be recorded as a Tackett.)
1930 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Haldeman precinct, enumerated 17 April, lists on p. 5A as family #76:
Kelley, Auscar, 55, age at first marriage 23, presser in brick yard; Sarah, wife, 52, age at first marriage 16; Cathline, granddau, 9. All born Ky Ky Ky.
